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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - REAL PROPERTY PLACERITA CYN (2)Agenda Item: 14 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR 4. CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: DATE: July 14, 2015 SUBJECT: REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION OF 89 +/- ACRES IN, PLACERITA CANYON, ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NOS. 2848-012-086 (PORTION) AND 2848-008-001 DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Community Services PRESENTER: Rick Gould RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Approve the purchase of 89+/- acres in Placerita Canyon, Assessor Parcel Nos. 2848-012- 086 (portion) and 2848-008-00 1, at a total cost of $8 15,000, which includes the property purchase price of $765,000, and $25,000 for escrow, title, taxes and due diligence costs, and $25,000 for gates, fencing, and signage costs. Appropriate $790,000 from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5201.004. Appropriate $25,000 from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5201.008. 4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to enter into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire the property and to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. BACKGROUND The subject property is located in Placerita Canyon and is adjacent to the City's Golden Valley Ranch Open Space. Acquisition of this property will ensure trail connectivity between other existing trails on City of Santa Clarita owned properly. I, urthermore, this acquisition is consistent with the open space acquisition goal identified in the Community Beautification theme of the "Santa Clarita 2020" Plan. In 2014 the properly owners entered into bankruptcy proceedings and the court ordered the property sold. Staff has been working with the court appointed representatives, and has reached Page I Packet Pg.20-1 ANN ONER an agreement to purchase approximately 89 +/- acres for $765.000, comprising of Assessor's Parcel Number 2848-008-001 and the majority of Assessor's Parcel Number 2848-012-086. The remainder portion of Assessor's Parcel No. 2848-012-086, approximately four acres, will be acquired in a separate transaction by Castaic Lake Water Agency to construct a water storage facility which is needed to increase water service capacity in the surrounding area, primarily for fire suppression purposes. Staff is currently requesting $25,000 to facilitate the acquisition and conduct due diligence. The City has agreed to pay up to $7,500 towards any delinquent property taxes, with the seller contributing any remaining balance due. This transaction is subject to court approval, and the completion date of the court's processes cannot be determined at this time. Any balance of any funds not required for the transaction will be returned to the Open Space Preservation District fund. The proposed acquisition has been reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the acquisition is exempt under CEQA Section 15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an ownership interest in land to preserve open space and existin.- natural conditions. Any Subsequent or proposed changes in the use or condition of the property will be Subject to CEQA guidelines. ALTERNATIVE ACTION I . Direct staff to cease purchase of the property. 2. Other action as determined by the City Council FISCAL IMPACT Upon approval of the requested appropriations there will be sufficient funds available for the acquisition of 89 +/- acres in Placertia Canyon, Assessor's Parcel Nos. 2848-012-086 (portion) and 2848-008-001, which includes the property purchase price of $765,000, $25,000 for escrow, title, taxes and due diligence costs, and $25,000 for gates, fencing, and signage costs. ATTACHMENTS Map Page 2 PacketPg.101