Do you remember September Ranch? New investors purchase controversial Carmel Valley development.

For many years, it appeared September Ranch in Carmel Valley would never get built.

The project goes back to the 1990s, and has a storied past, filled with fights over documents, lawsuits and even a notorious "ghostwriting" scandal, where attorneys representing the developer were found to have written policy documents on county letterhead.

After more debates and fights, the project was approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 2006, allowing for 73 market-rate home lots and 22 affordable lots, along with 800 acres to be kept as open space.

The project was in and out of courts for years, including one lawsuit over water.

In 2010 a judge ruled that the property's aquifer was separate from the Carmel Valley Aquifer, and that it should have an "imperceptible effect on the Carmel Valley River and aquifer."

After the ruling, the Board of Supervisors voted on Nov. 9, 2010, to approve the project yet again. 

The project remained stalled until recently, when a real estate investment fund, DLC Capital Partners, announced Feb. 22 the company has purchased September Ranch.

The Morgans Family, who owned the ranch since 1966, will be a part of the development team, according to a press release on behalf of DLC Capital Partners.

"Our family is confident this team is going to do a great job implementing the plan that was throughly vetted and approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors," Jim Morgens said.

The press release notes that more than 90 percent of the 891 acres on the property will be permanently protected.

Historic barns and an equestrian center will be preserved, and a public trail connecting Carmel Valley Road to Jack's Peak will be included.

"The mission is to create a conservation community in Carmel Valley that will preserve the essential character of the September Ranch property in perpetuity," according to the press release.

The project is being managed by San Jose-based Clear Peak Development. The company expects to record a final map by April 2019 and to complete infrastructure by May of 2020.