Oswit Land Trust, Mesquite HOA reach agreement in Prescott Preserve dispute

After two years of legal battles, Oswit Land Trust (OLT) and Mesquite Country Club Homeowners Association have reached an agreement in principle regarding the former Mesquite Golf Course, now known as Prescott Preserve.

The resolution, announced in a joint statement Tuesday evening, came after eight hours of mediation led by David Chapman, who listened to arguments and concerns from both parties.

“OLT and MCC are grateful for the work done by (the mediator),” the joint statement read. “Both MCC and OLT are looking forward to putting their disputes behind them and working to create a spectacular nature preserve in the heart of our community.”

Specific details of the agreement remain undisclosed as mediation documents are being drafted.

The dispute began when OLT purchased portions of the former Mesquite Golf Course in July 2022 with plans to create a public nature preserve. The HOA filed suit against Oswit the following month, seeking to either force golf course operations again or stop HOA members from having to make monthly payments for upkeep of the land.

In a cross-complaint filed Nov. 1 in Riverside County Superior Court, OLT alleged breach of contract and interference with a multimillion-dollar grant by the HOA.

The trust claimed the HOA has failed to pay required monthly rent since August 2022, resulting in over $540,000 in unpaid fees. OLT was seeking this amount plus $20,893 per month through the trial date.

Additionally, Oswit alleged the HOA interfered with its $7.2 million grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Board, intended for restoration of the former golf course property.

In October, the Palm Springs City Council voted 4-0 to deny appeals against the project, allowing OLT to proceed with its plans to convert portions of the former golf course into the nature preserve. The decision came despite the ongoing legal disputes.

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