Mayor Stocks Sorry to See Last of Ecke Ranch Property Sold, But Lauds Buyer

Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks on Friday called the sale of the last 67 acres of the Paul Ecke Ranch “a tough deal,”  U-T San Diego reported.

He added: “Frankly, I’m a little sad that we won’t have Ecke Ranch here. It’s such a part of the town and we love being famous for the flowers — it’s even on our city logo. We’re hoping the Eckes stay in town but they have to run their business as they see fit,”

Stocks told the U-T that the Leichtag Foundation, which is buying the property east of Interstate 5 between Saxony Road and Quail Garden Drive, has an excellent reputation and is composed of “very honorable” people.

The Ecke Ranch over the years has sold the majority of the world’s poinsettias, and will continue to breed plants at some of its Encinitas greenhouses for at least three years until it finds a new location, Paul Ecke III told the U-T.

“I’m really excited,” Ecke was quoted as saying. “I’m thrilled that we’ve got an opportunity for our company to raise some capital. And I’m really excited about who the buyer is ... I’m inspired by the vision they have for this property.”

Encinitas Planning Director Patrick Murphy told the U-T the property is zoned for agricultural use and any changes must be approved both by the city and the California Coastal Commission.

The Leichtag (pronounced LEECH-tag) Foundation in 2010 donated $10 million to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, which was called the largest philanthropic gift in its 45-year history.

“The ... gift to the Campaign for Scripps Encinitas supports construction of a new two-story, 60,000-square-foot critical care building with a new 27-station emergency department, twice the number on todays unit. It will double the capacity of the emergency department and allow for new, state-of-the-art technology and services,” said the group's YouTube posting.

Videos posted by the foundation described its work, growing out of the values of the late Max "Lee" Leichtag and his wife, Andre “Toni” Leichtag

The Leichtags founded the Leichtag Family Foundation in 1991 with proceeds from the sale of their company, MD Pharmaceuticals Inc. Their daughter, Joli Ann Leichtag, was actively involved with the Foundation until her death in 2007, according to the group.

“A self-made man with a passion for life, Mr. Leichtag believed he needed to do everything possible to help others,” the foundation says. “The family’s legacy of visionary philanthropy endures through the Leichtag Foundation.”