According to a press release from Attorney Dan De Vries, representing Leal Vineyards:
“Five Rivers Hospitality, Inc., the prospective developer of the gas station and fast food restaurant at the corner of intersection of Highway 156 and The Alameda, in San Juan Bautista, has threatened to sue Leal Vineyards unless it drops its appeal of the project to the City of San Juan Bautista City Council by noon on March 14, 2014. ”
“In a letter to Leal’s attorney Dan De Vries, dated March 10, 2014, Five Rivers’ corporate counsel Richard G. Glenn wrote, “unless the administrative appeal you have filed in this matter is not withdrawn by Noon, March 14, 2014, Five Rivers Hospitality, Inc. shall file an action against you, Leal Vineyards, Inc. and Frank P. Leal, individually….Action shall be filed whether or not the appeal is rejected or sustained by the San Juan Bautista City Council.”
“Leal Vineyards is a Hollister-based company which, in addition to the winery and event center off of Fairview Road, also owns The Grove Restaurant, The Barn in Tres Pinos and Willow Heights Mansion in Morgan Hill.”
“Leal Vineyards recently acquired the 42-room San Juan Inn in San Juan Bautista for $2.6 million dollars, and is underway with a $1.5 million renovation of the property.”
At 12:30pm on March 14, Assistant City Planner, Matt Leal, said that he was not aware of any withdrawal of the appeal.