HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - ANNUAL LEVY OF ASMT FOR OSPD. (2)Agenda Item: 13
DATE: June 11, 2019
SUBJECT: ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS FOR OPEN SPACE
PRESERVATION DISTRICT
DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services
PRESENTER: Kevin Tonoian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution initiating proceedings for the levy and collection of assessments within
the Open Space Preservation District for Fiscal Year 2019-20.
2. Adopt a resolution declaring the City's intention to levy assessments, preliminarily approve
an Engineer's Report in connection with the Open Space Preservation District for Fiscal Year
2019-20, and set a public hearing for June 25, 2019.
BACKGROUND
The property owners of the City of Santa Clarita (City) overwhelmingly approved the creation of
the Open Space Preservation District (OSPD) in July 2007. The objective of the OSPD is to
facilitate the purchase and preservation of undeveloped land in and around the City.
The initial maximum assessment rate, as approved by the property owners of Santa Clarita, was
$25 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) starting Fiscal Year (FY) 2007-08. For background
purposes, one EDU is equal to one single-family home.
Property owners further authorized a $1.00 increase in the maximum assessment rate each
subsequent fiscal year. The $1.00 annual increase was included as part of the proposal approved
by the vote of property owners in order to maximize the ability to purchase and preserve
undeveloped land in and within proximity to the City to create a surrounding green belt.
In addition to these assessments, the City partners with a number of public entities including
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Riverside Land Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land,
County of Los Angeles, and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, with purchases
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leveraged by utilizing grant funds, land bank mitigation funds, or other special funds.
As a result, the OSPD has acquired 8,306 acres of open space since its formation and now
maintains an inventory of 9,496 acres throughout Santa Clarita Valley. In the coming operational
year, staff anticipates the OSPD will acquire an additional 400 acres in the northeast area.
In approving the OSPD, voters authorized a re -occurring increase of $1.00 to the maximum
annual assessment to support ascending debt service payments. By issuing ascending debt, the
City was able to borrow against future assessment rate increases in order to maximize the size of
the borrowing. In FY 2018-19, the OSPD debt service totaled $723,606, while the proposed debt
service for FY 2019-20 totals $745,706. The annual debt servicing of the bond was structured to
allow these ascending costs to track against, or be offset by, the voter -approved annual
adjustment to the OSPD assessed levy.
Annual debt service costs continue to increase every year through the 30 -year repayment period
and will total $1,127,850 in the final year of FY 2036-37. To meet these rising annual debt
service costs, the assessment rate will need to increase periodically.
In respect to how the debt service was structured, it is appropriate for the City Council to
consider an adjustment to the applied assessment. This proposed adjustment will allow the OSPD
fund to keep pace with forecasted future property acquisitions, as well as increased personnel
and operational costs necessary to manage the OSPD.
In FY 2018-19, the City Council authorized levy of the maximum OSPD assessment rate of
$36.00. The actual assessment rate in any fiscal year must be approved by the City Council prior
to the levy and may not exceed the maximum assessment rate without receiving property owner
approval for the increase.
For FY 2019-20, staff is recommending the City Council approve a $1.00 adjustment to the
OSPD assessment rate from its current rate of $36.00 to $37.00, effective July 1, 2019. If
approved, this adjustment would equal the maximum allowable assessment rate for FY 2019-20.
The process of ordering, approving, and setting the public hearing on the annual levy of the
OSPD is required by the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 and allows the City to continue
levying assessments in FY 2019-20 for the purpose of acquiring open space properties. Upon
adoption of the attached resolutions, a public hearing on ordering the FY 2019-20 levies will be
scheduled for June 25, 2019, at 6:00 p.m.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adequate funds for the preparation of this report have been previously appropriated as part of the
FY 2018-19 Annual Budget process by the City Council.
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ATTACHMENTS
FY 2019-20 OSPD Initiate Resolution
FY 2019-20 OSPD Intent Resolution
FY 2019-20 OSPD Preliminary Assessment Rolls (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)
FY 2019-20 OSPD Engineer's Report (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)
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RESOLUTION NO. 19-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, INITIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR
THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS FOR ALL ZONES
WITHIN THE OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DISTRICT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-20
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita (City), pursuant to the
provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, being Division 15 of the Streets and
Highways Code of the State of California (Act), desires to initiate proceedings for the Open
Space Preservation District (District) and for the levy and collection of assessments within the
proposed District for Fiscal Year 2019-20, for the purposes provided therefore in the Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has retained Willdan Financial Services for the purpose of
assisting with the Annual Levy of the District and to prepare and file a report with the City Clerk
in accordance with the Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California, does
hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. Annual Levy Report: The City Council hereby directs Willdan Financial
Services, acting as Assessment Engineer, to prepare and file with the City Clerk the Assessment
Engineer's Annual Levy Report concerning the installation, construction, or maintenance of any
authorized improvements under the Act, and the levy and collection of assessments for the
District as required by the provisions of the Assessment Law.
SECTION 2. District Improvements: The installation, construction, or maintenance of
any authorized improvements under the Act, including, but not limited to landscape and
irrigation improvements and any facilities which are appurtenant to any of the aforementioned or
which are necessary, or convenient for the maintenance or servicing thereof.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 11th day of June 2019.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
DATE:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution 19- was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa
Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 11th day of June 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL,MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL,MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL,MEMBERS:
2
CITY CLERK
RESOLUTION NO. 19-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE CITY'S INTENTION TO
LEVY ASSESSMENTS, PRELIMINARILY APPROVING AN ENGINEER'S REPORT
IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DISTRICT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-20
WHEREAS, under the provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, being
Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California (Act), the Open Space
Preservation District (District) was approved by the property owners in 2007; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita (City) is desirous to take
proceedings for the annual levy of assessments for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 to provide for the
costs and expenses necessary to pay for the maintenance and servicing of the improvements in
said District; and
WHEREAS, the assessment rates are adequate to maintain and service the facilities; and
WHEREAS, in order to maintain and service the facilities at a standard acceptable to the
City, the assessments within the District will need to be levied for FY 2019-20; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 218, the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, does hereby require if the
assessment rate is to be increased, a notice of the proposed assessment, along with a ballot, shall
be mailed to all owners of identified parcels within the Districts, and the agency shall conduct a
public hearing not less than 45 days after the mailing of said notice; and
WHEREAS, the assessments for FY 2019-20 are not proposed to be increased above the
maximum levy of $37.00 per Benefit Unit; and
WHEREAS, staff is recommending approval of an applied levy of $37.00 per Benefit
Unit for FY 2019-20; and
WHEREAS, notices and Assessment Ballots are not required if assessments are not
increased above the maximum levy; and
WHEREAS, Willdan Financial Services has prepared a preliminary Engineer's Report
(Report) generally containing the following:
a. Plans and specifications describing the general nature, location, and extent of the
improvements to be maintained;
b. An estimate of the cost of the maintenance and/or servicing of the improvements for
the District for the referenced fiscal year;
c. An assessment of the estimated costs of the maintenance and/or servicing, assessing
the net amount upon all assessable lots and/or parcels within the District in proportion
to the benefits received. That upon completion of the preparation of said Report, the
original shall be filed with the City Clerk, who shall then submit the same to this
legislative body for its immediate review and consideration; and
WHEREAS, this City Council has examined and considered the Report, diagram, and
assessments, and the proceedings prior thereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California, does
hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. Recitals: That the above recitals are all true and correct.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Intention: That the public interest and convenience requires,
and it is the intention of this legislative body, to levy and collect assessments to pay the annual
costs and expenses for the installation, replacement, maintenance, and servicing of the
improvements for the above -referenced District. No new improvements or any substantial
changes in existing improvements are proposed as a part of these proceedings.
SECTION 3. Fiscal Year: That the assessments as above authorized and levied for these
proceedings will provide revenue and relate to the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2019, and
ending June 30, 2020.
SECTION 4. Preliminarily Approves Report: The City Council hereby finds each and
every part of the Report is sufficient, and the City Council hereby preliminarily approves, passes
on, and adopts the Report as submitted to the City Council and filed with the City Clerk. The
preliminary report shall stand as the Report for the purposes of all subsequent proceedings
pursuant to this Resolution of Intention.
SECTION 5. District Improvements: The installation, construction, or maintenance of
any authorized improvements under the Act, including, but not limited to landscape and
irrigation improvements and any facilities which are appurtenant to any of the aforementioned,
or which are necessary, or convenient for the maintenance or servicing thereof.
SECTION 6. Public Hearing: The City Council hereby appoints June 25, 2019, at
6:00 p.m., in the City of Santa Clarita, California, as the time, place, and date of the public
hearing on the Report. At the hearing, the City Council shall hear and consider all discussion
regarding the proposed assessment as described in the Report.
2
SECTION 7. Adoption of Resolution: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this
resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 11th day of June 2019.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
DATE:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution 19- was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa
Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 1 lth day of June 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL,MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL,MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL,MEMBERS:
CITY CLERK
City of Santa Cla rita
Engineer's Report
Open Space Preservation District
FISCAL YEAR 2019/2020
Intent Meeting: June 11, 2019
Public Hearing: June 25, 2019
Prepared on: May 1, 2019
'WILLDA
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DISTRICT
ENGINEER'S REPORT
CERTIFICATE
This Report describes the District including the improvements, budgets, parcels and assessments to be
levied for fiscal year 2019/2020, as they existed at the time of the passage of the Resolution of
Intention. Reference is hereby made to the Los Angeles County Assessor's maps for a detailed
description of the lines and dimensions of parcels within the District. The undersigned respectfully
submits the enclosed Report as directed by the City Council.
Dated this day of 12019.
By:
Stacee Reynolds
Sr. Project Manager, District Administration Services
Willdan Financial Services
Assessment Engineer
By:
Richard Kopecky
R. C. E. # 16742
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the enclosed Engineer's Report, together with Assessment Roll and Assessment
Diagram thereto attached was filed with me on the day of 2019.
Bv:
Mary Cusick, City Clerk
City of Santa Clarita
Los Angeles County, California
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the enclosed Engineer's Report, together with Assessment Roll and Assessment
Diagram thereto attached was approved and confirmed by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita,
California, on the day of 12019.
By:
Mary Cusick, City Clerk
City of Santa Clarita
Los Angeles County, California
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OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................. 1
A.
BACKGROUND.........................................................................................................................
1
B.
EFFECTS OF PROPOSITION 218.................................................................................................
2
A
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.....................................................................................................
2
A.
IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORIZED BY THE 1972 ACT .......................................................
2
B.
DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MAINTAINED AND SERVICED ...............
3
ESTIMATE OF COST.....................................................................................................................
5
N.
METHOD OFAPPORTIONMENT....................................................................................................
6
A.
GENERAL.................................................................................................................................
6
B.
REASON FOR THE ASSESSMENT...............................................................................................
6
C.
SPECIAL BENEFIT ANALYSIS......................................................................................................
6
D.
SPECIAL BENEFIT DETERMINATION..........................................................................................
7
E.
AREA OF BENEFIT.....................................................................................................................
9
F.
GENERAL BENEFIT....................................................................................................................
9
G.
SPECIAL BENEFIT METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................
10
V
ASSESSMENT ROLL...................................................................................................................16
V/.
ASSESSMENT DIAGRAM...........................................................................................................16
APPENDICES
1) Certificate of Participation (Open Space and Parkland Acquisition Program)
2) Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
OVERVIEW
A. BACKGROUND
Since the City of Santa Clarita's ("the City") incorporation in 1987, the City has made a significant
effort to preserve the greenbelts and undeveloped land within and outside the City. This
includes implementing the vision of the first and subsequent City Councils to buffer the Santa
Clarita Valley with a greenbelt to help maintain the character and quality of life for residents.
During the "The Big Picture" Community Strategic Planning process in 2004, several open space
goals were reaffirmed. Additionally, in 2007 a number of community members spoke to the
Council in support of preserving undeveloped land and asked the Council to, once again, pursue
the creation of a mechanism to finance the acquisition and preservation of undeveloped land. In
April 2007, the City Council adopted a resolution to initiate the formation of the City of Santa
Clarita Open Space Preservation District.
On August 13, 2014, LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) approved Annexation 2013-
03 (North Saugus) to the City of Santa Clarita. On October 14, 2014 LAFCO approved the
boundary change of the City of Santa Clarita to include the North Saugus area. Beginning in
Fiscal Year 2015/16, parcels in Annexation 2013-03 are subjected to the Open Space
Preservation District Assessment.
On April 12, 2016, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 16-12, initiating annexation
proceedings for the West Creek/West Hills annexation with the LAFCO. Annexation Application
No. 2016-07 was submitted to LAFCO on April 14, 2016.
On June 28, 2016, the City Council approved and adopted a Joint Resolution between the City
and Los Angeles County approving and accepting the negotiated exchange of property tax
revenue relating to the pending annexation of areas within the unincorporated portion of Los
Angeles County. Following the Council's action, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
adopted the same Joint Resolution at their Board meeting of July 19, 2016. LAFCO approved
Annexation 2016-07 at their August 10, 2016, meeting and further held the protest hearing at
their October 12, 2016, meeting. Annexation 2016-07 was complete on November 15, 2016
when the annexation was recorded with the State.
On April 24, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 18-14, which initiated annexation
proceedings for the Plum Canyon annexation with the Local Agency Formation Commission
(LAFCO). Annexation Application No. 2018-04 was submitted to LAFCO on June 27, 2018.
On July 10, 2018, the City Council adopted a joint resolution between the City of Santa Clarita
(City) and County of Los Angeles, approving and accepting the negotiated exchange of property
tax revenue relating to the pending annexation of areas within the unincorporated portion of
Los Angeles County. Following the Council's action, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
adopted the same joint resolution at their board meeting on September 18, 2018. LAFCO
approved Annexation 2018-04 at their October 10, 2018, meeting and further held the protest
hearing at their November 14, 2018, meeting. Annexation 2018-04 was complete on November
15, 2018, when the annexation was recorded with the state.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Pagel
B. EFFECTS OF PROPOSITION 218
On November 5, 1996, the electorate approved Proposition 218, Right to Vote on Taxes Act,
which added Articles XIIIC and XIIID to the California Constitution. The Article XIIID affects all
assessments upon real property for a special benefit conferred on the property. Assessments
imposed under the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 are these types of benefit assessments.
The provisions of Proposition 218 can be summarized in four general areas:
1. Strengthens the general and special tax provisions of Propositions 13 and 62;
2. Extends the initiative process to all local taxes, assessments, fees and charges;
3. Adds substantive and procedural requirements to assessments; and
4. Adds substantive and procedural requirements to property -related fees and charges.
A. IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORIZED BY THE 1972 ACT
As applicable or may be applicable to this District, the 1972 Act defines improvements to mean
one or any combination of the following:
• The installation or planting of landscaping.
• The installation or construction of statuary, fountains, and other ornamental structures
and facilities.
• The installation or construction of public lighting facilities, including, but not limited to,
traffic signals.
• The installation or construction of any facilities which are appurtenant to any of the
foregoing or which are necessary or convenient for the maintenance or servicing
thereof, including, but not limited to, grading, clearing, removal of debris, the
installation or construction of curbs, gutters, walls, sidewalks, or paving, or water,
irrigation, drainage, or electrical facilities.
• The installation of park or recreational improvements, including, but not limited to, all
the following:
Land preparation, such as grading, leveling, cutting and filling, sod, landscaping,
irrigation systems, sidewalks, and drainage.
Lights, playground equipment, play courts, and public restrooms.
• The maintenance or servicing, or both, of any of the foregoing.
• The acquisition of land for park, recreational, or open -space purposes.
• The acquisition of any existing improvement otherwise authorized pursuant to this
section.
• Incidental expenses associated with the improvements include, but are not limited to:
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 2
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The cost of preparation of the report, including plans, specifications, estimates,
diagram, and assessment;
The costs of printing, advertising, and the publishing, posting and mailing of
notices;
Compensation payable to the County for collection of assessments;
Compensation of any engineer or attorney employed to render services;
Any other expenses incidental to the construction, installation, or maintenance
and servicing of the improvements;
Any expenses incidental to the issuance of bonds or notes pursuant to Section
22662.5.
Costs associated with any elections held for the approval of a new or increased
assessment.
The 1972 Act defines "maintain" or "maintenance" to mean furnishing of services and materials
for the ordinary and usual maintenance, operation, and servicing of any improvement, including:
• Repair, removal, or replacement of all or any part of any improvement.
• Providing for the life, growth, health, and beauty of landscaping, including cultivation,
irrigation, trimming, spraying, fertilizing, or treating for disease or injury.
• The removal of trimmings, rubbish, debris, and other solid waste.
• The cleaning, sandblasting, and painting of walls and other improvements to remove or
cover graffiti.
B. DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MAINTAINED AND SERVICED
The Open Space Preservation District expands the City's existing Open Space, Park and Parkland
Program. This program preserves, improves, finances, services and maintains facilities as
described below.
It is the City Council's intent to utilize the additional funding from the Open Space Preservation
District to expand the existing Open Space, Park, and Parkland Program to accelerate vacant land
acquisition in and around the City in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Open Space
Acquisition Implementation Work Program, which is included herein and is provided in the
Appendix.
The improvements are the acquisition, preservation, improvement, financing, servicing and
maintenance of parks, parkland and open space lands and appurtenant equipment and facilities,
including but not limited to, personnel, electrical energy, utilities such as water, materials,
contracting services, debt service costs, and other items necessary for the satisfactory provision
of these facilities and services.
Facilities include but are not limited to:
• Open Space Lands
• The Santa Clara River Watershed
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 3
• Trail Systems
• Wildlife Corridors
• Park and Recreation Facilities and Equipment
Maintenance means the furnishing of services and materials for the ordinary and usual
maintenance, operation, preservation and servicing, including repair, removal or replacement of
all or part of any of the park, parklands and open space lands or appurtenant equipment or
facilities; providing for the life, growth, health and beauty of the landscaping, including
cultivation, irrigation, trimming, spraying, fertilizing and treating for disease or injury; the
removal of trimmings, rubbish, debris and other solid waste; brush clearing; and the cleaning,
sandblasting, and painting of walls and other improvements to remove or cover graffiti.
Servicing means the furnishing of water for the irrigation and the furnishing of electric current or
energy, gas or other illuminating agent for the operation of the park, parklands and open space
lands or appurtenant equipment or facilities.
The City financed a portion of the facilities through the issuance of bonded indebtedness.
The plans and specifications for the improvements, showing the general nature, location and the
extent of the facilities, are on file in the City Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Department and are by reference herein made a part of this report.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 4
X ESTIMATE
The City's budget for the Open Space, Park, and Parkland Program, shown below, details the estimated
costs for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 as available at the time of preparation of this report. The 1972 Act
provides that the total cost of the construction, acquisition, preservation, improvement, servicing and
maintenance, together with incidental expenses, may be financed from the assessment proceeds. The
incidental expenses may include engineering fees, legal fees, printing, mailing, postage, publishing, and
all other related costs identified with the district proceedings.
Note:
(1) Detailed estimated cost of components of the Program are available in the Neighborhood Services Department and are incorporated herein
by this reference.
(2) Under the Preservation District, the total estimated cost of the Improvements to be funded by the Preservation District is greater than the
amount that can be conveniently raised from a single annual assessment. The City is authorized to determine such costs of one or more
Improvements, including related debt service, to be collected in installments over a period not to exceed thirty (30) fiscal years from its initial
funding, as provided in the annual Engineer's Report. On December 12, 2007, the City executed and delivered $15,525,000 Certificates of
Participation (Open Space and Parkland Acquisition Program) 2007 Series (the "Certificates") to fund such Improvements and the assessments
from the Preservation District were pledged to make debt service payments on the Certificates. The debt service schedule is attached hereto as
Appendix 1.
The 1972 Act requires that a special fund be set-up for the revenues and expenditures of the District.
Funds raised by assessment shall be used only for the purpose as stated herein. The City may advance
funds or incur bonded indebtedness, if needed, to ensure adequate cash flow or timing of the provision
of the facilities, and will be reimbursed for any such advances or payment of annual bond debt service
upon receipt of assessments. Any surplus or deficit remaining on July 1 must be carried over to the next
fiscal year.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
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/V. METHOD
IIII°°° 1111°IIII° IIII°°°°°1111 III III IIII.......°,III °°°°
A. GENERAL
Part 2 of Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code, the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972,
permits the establishment of Assessment Districts by cities for the purpose of providing certain
public improvements which include the construction, maintenance and servicing of park and
recreation improvements and the acquisition of land for park, recreation or open space
purposes.
Section 22573, Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 requires that assessments be levied
according to benefit rather than according to assessed value. This section states:
"The net amount to be assessed upon lands within an assessment district may be apportioned by
any formula or method which fairly distributes the net amount among all assessable lots or
parcels in proportion to the estimated benefits to be received by each such lot or parcel from the
improvements."
The Act permits the designation of zones of benefit within any individual assessment district if
"by reason of variations in the nature, location, and extent of the improvements, the various
areas will receive different degrees of benefit from the improvements." (Sec. 22574). Thus, the
1972 Act requires the levy of a true "assessment" rather than a "special tax."
In addition, Proposition 218, the "Right to Vote on Taxes Act" which was approved on the
November 1996 Statewide ballot and added Article XIIID to the California Constitution, requires
that a parcel's assessment may not exceed the reasonable cost of the proportional special
benefit conferred on that parcel. XIIID provides that only special benefits are assessable and the
City must separate the general benefits from the special benefits. XIIID also requires that publicly
owned properties that benefit from the improvements be assessed.
B. REASON FOR THE ASSESSMENT
The District funds a portion of the City's Open Space, Park, and Parkland Program (the
"Program") as previously defined herein in Section II of this Report.
This Program covers park and recreation facilities, open space lands, the Santa Clara River
watershed, trail systems and wildlife corridors throughout the City of Santa Clarita, and open
space preservation around the perimeter of the City.
C. SPECIAL BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Parcels within the District are assessed for those improvements that provide a special benefit to
the properties. Article XIIID of the California Constitution defines special benefit as:
"A particular and distinct benefit over and above general benefits conferred on real property
located in the district or to the public at large. General enhancement of property value does
not constitute 'special benefit'."
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
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D. SPECIAL BENEFIT DETERMINATION
In determining the proportionate special benefit derived by each identified parcel, the proximity
of the parcel to the public improvements detailed in Part A above, and the capital, maintenance
and operating costs of said public improvements, was considered and analyzed. Due to the close
proximity of the parcels to the improvements detailed in Part A above, it has been demonstrated
and determined the parcels are uniquely benefited by, and receive a direct advantage from, and
are conferred a particular and distinct special benefit over and above general benefits by, said
public improvements.
The overall quality of life and desirability of an area is enhanced when parks, open space and
recreational facilities are in place, improved, operable, safe, clean and maintained. Property
desirability in an area also increases when there is an increase in the number of parks, open
space and recreation facilities.
Studies in a number of communities have indicated that recreation areas and facilities, if well
maintained and wisely administered, have caused a marked increase in the property values of
parcels in the community. Consequently, such recreation and park facilities have proved to be a
potent factor in maintaining a sound economic condition and a high standard of livability in the
community. These studies confirm the opinion long held by planning authorities as to the
economic value of parks and recreational facilities in a community.
"The recreation value is realized as a rise in the value of land and other property in or near
the recreation area, and is of both private interest to the landowner and others, holding an
economic stake in the area, and of public interest to the taxpayers, who have a stake...."
(National Recreation and Park Association, June 1985)
"Recreation and park amenities are central components in establishing the quality of life in a
community.... [businesses'] main resource is their employees for whom quality of life is an
important issue... The availability and attractiveness of local parks and programs influences
some companies' relocation decisions. ... the presence of a park encourages real estate
development around it...." (California Parks & Recreation, Winter 1997)
The special benefit of parks and other recreational facilities conferred to residential and non-
residential properties has been summarized by a number of studies. The United States
Department of the Interior, National Park Service, in a publication dated June 1984, concluded
that:
• "Parks and recreation stimulate business and generate tax revenues."
• "Parks and recreation help conserve land, energy, and resources."
• "An investment in parks and recreation helps reduce pollution and noise, and makes for a
more pleasing community..."
• "Public recreation benefits all employers by providing continuing opportunities to maintain a
level of fitness throughout one's working life, and through helping individuals cope with the
stress of a fast -paced and demanding life."
Collaborative Economics, a Silicon Valley think-tank, has found strong connections between the
physical design and attractive maintenance of community facilities and the new knowledge -
driven, service-oriented economy (Linking the New Economy to Livable Communities,
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Collaborative Economics 1998). Businesses are increasingly valuing "quality of life" as a way to
recruit and retain skilled workers (Profiles of Business Leadership on Smart Growth, National
Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals, 1999).
Non-residential property (either vacant or developed) located within a community that actively
promotes the design and maintenance of park and recreation facilities, is conferred a distinct
and special benefit because these features attract businesses, ensuring the highest and best use
of the property. Area desirability helps to assure that vacant property is actually marketable to
willing buyers and helps assure that the property owner can actually capture the full market
value for property.
Residential property (both vacant and developed) benefits from the "area desirability" because
workers are attracted to community, and will purchase homes, which again assures the highest
and best use of the property. As described above, when an area is desirable, property is more
marketable and owners are better positioned to capture the benefits full market value.
The entire community, and parcels within the community, are conferred a special benefit when
parks and recreational facilities are included as part of the overall community design standard
and are maintained.
The Supreme Court of California, in Knox v. City of Orland, acknowledged that parks confer
special benefit. In this opinion, the Supreme Court of California stated, "in California, there is a
lengthy history of legislative and judicial recognition that parks constitute proper subjects for
special assessment."
Homebuyers over age 55, considering a move, were surveyed about the amenities that "would
seriously influence them in selecting a new community" in Boomers on the Horizon: Housing
Preferences of the 55+ Market, National Association of Home Builders, 2002. The following
results were found:
Finally, the ERE Yarmouth and Real Estate Research Corporation has found that "smart
communities" (those that actively plan and maintain parks, open space, streetscaping and
pedestrian friendly features) will experience the fastest rise in real estate values (Defining New
Limits, Emerging Trends in Real Estate, ERE Yarmouth and Real Estate Research Corporation,
1988).
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 8
In addition, all of the aforementioned above illustrates that parks, open space and recreational
facilities contribute to a specific increase in property desirability which confers a particular and
distinct special benefit upon the real property located within the district.
E. AREA OF BENEFIT
Proposition 218 states, "No assessment shall be imposed on any parcel which exceeds the
reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit conferred on that parcel. Only special
benefits are assessable, and an agency must separate the general benefits from the special
benefits conferred on a parcel."
Based on the above, the area of benefit for the facilities and services funded by the District are
defined below:
The National Recreation and Park Association standards are used to define the service area of
the City's existing parklands and open space areas. These standards state that a community park,
which serves the needs of several neighborhoods, has a service radius of up to 3 miles.
Properties within this 3 -mile service radius are considered to receive special benefit from the
facility.
To define the service area of the District, a 3 -mile radius was drawn around all of the City's
existing parklands and open space areas. This is shown on the Assessment Diagram at the back
of this Report.
Parcels within the District service area are considered to receive special benefit from the District.
The total area served by the Program, as defined above, is 149,340.58 acres. Of that area,
103,984.51 acres, or approximately 69.60 percent, is outside the city boundaries. The benefits
conferred on these non -city parcels within the service areas are considered the "general
benefits" associated with the District.
Therefore, only 30.40 percent of the District budget is assessed to City properties as the
quantification of special benefits received, and 69.60 percent of the budget will be provided
from other sources (e.g.: general fund, Proposition A funds, etc.).
F. GENERAL BENEFIT
Section 4 of Article MID requires that the general benefits imparted by the Open Space, Park and
Parkland Program be separated from the special benefits and that only the special benefit
portion of the costs of the project be assessed against those parcels which are identified as
receiving special benefits.
As stated above, only 30.40 percent of the District budget is assessed to properties within the
City boundaries as the quantification of special benefits received, and 69.60 percent of the
budget is defined as the "general benefits".
This quantification of general benefit is considered a conservative estimate as much of the area
outside the City boundaries is currently sparsely developed when compared with the
development intensity within the City.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 9
All properties within the City of Santa Clarita are within the service area of the City's existing
parklands and open space areas. Therefore, these properties receive special benefit from the
existing facilities. The existing facilities are distributed throughout all areas of the City. Due to
the uniform distribution of the existing parklands and open space areas in the City, it is
considered a reasonable approximation of the ultimate service area of the parklands and open
space to be obtained, developed and preserved through the Program.
Any future acquisition of undeveloped lands will be within the City of Santa Clarita city limits or
within the service area of the City's existing parklands and open space areas. Due to this account
and the fact that any undeveloped lands outside the City boundaries will remain essentially in
their natural state, these additional areas are not considered to increase the benefit boundaries
of the District.
Additional general benefits to the public at large are considered incidental and non -quantifiable
and are more than adequately funded by the City's additional contribution.
G. SPECIAL BENEFIT METHODOLOGY
The District boundaries are coterminous with the City of Santa Clarita. To establish the special
benefit to the individual parcels within the District, a Benefit Unit system is utilized. Each parcel
of land is assigned Benefit Units (BU's) in proportion to the estimated special benefit the parcel
receives relative to the other parcels within the District from the Program. Benefit Units are
established by considering both the dwelling unit equivalency of a property and the benefits
provided, as discussed above.
Basic Formula:
(Equivalent Dwelling Units) x (Benefit Factor) = Benefit Units
EQUIVALENT DWELLING UNITS
In order to allocate benefit fairly between the parcels, an Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU)
methodology is utilized, which equates different types of land uses to a single-family residential
parcel, thereby allowing a uniform method of assessment.
The EDU method uses the single family home as the basic unit of apportionment. A single family
home equals one Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU). Every other land use is converted to EDU's as
described below. All assessable properties in the District are assigned dwelling units and land use
classifications per the County Assessor's roll. (Inaccuracies in the County data will be reviewed
on a case by case basis as they are brought to the City's attention.)
The methodology to calculate the EDU's for other residential land uses and for non-residential
parcels is as follows:
Every land use is converted to EDU's. Parcels containing apartments are converted to EDU's
based on the number of dwelling units on each parcel of land; non-residential parcels are
converted based on the lot size of each parcel of land.
Table 1 outlines the EDU formula.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 10
Table I: EDU Formula
Residential
Single Family Residences (SFR). A single family home equals 1 EDU.
Multi -family Residences (Apartments and Condominiums) and Mobile Home Parks. Multifamily
residential parcels and Mobile Home Park equivalencies are determined by multiplying the
number of dwelling units on each parcel by 0.75 and 0.5, respectively, due to the relative
population density of these types of dwelling units and reduced unit size compared to the typical
density and size of a SFR. Studies have consistently shown that the average apartment unit
impacts infrastructure approximately 75% as much as a single-family residence and the average
mobile home unit impacts infrastructure approximately 50%. (Sources: Institute of
Transportation Engineers Informational Report Trip Generation, Fifth Edition, 1991; Metcalf and
Eddy, Wastewater Engineering Treatment, Disposal, Reuse, Third Edition, 1991). Trip generation
and wastewater usage are a function of population density. Based on this, it is concluded that
other infrastructure will be similarly impacted at a reduced level. The smaller average unit size of
multiple -residential and mobile homes results in a lesser enhancement per unit to property
values.
The EDU's assigned to a multi -residential or to a mobile home parcel are calculated based on the
number of dwelling units and the appropriate EDU factor. For example, the EDU factor for multi -
residential (0.75) is multiplied by the number of dwelling units on the parcel to determine the
total EDU's for the multiple residential parcel. Similarly, the total EDU's for a mobile home parcel
are calculated by multiplying the EDU factor (0.5) by the number of mobile home units on the
parcel.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 11
Developed Non -Residential
Developed non-residential properties are defined as improved commercial, industrial and
institutional properties (such as churches). In converting these properties to EDU's, the size of
the parcels is compared to the median size of a single-family residential lot, which is 0.17 acres.
This equals approximately 6 SFR lots per acre of land. Therefore, developed non-residential
parcels are assigned EDU's at a rate of 6 EDU's per acre. The minimum EDU assignment for a
developed non-residential parcel is 1.0 EDU per parcel, which is the same as a developed SFR.
The area of non-residential condominium parcels is calculated based on the individual area of
the condo plus an equal share of the common area associated with the condominium project.
Vacant
Vacant property consists of parcels with few or no improved structures. These properties have
virtually no impacts on infrastructure to make a comparison to developed property; however,
based on the Los Angeles County Assessor's data, the average land value of a SFR property is
between 45% and 50% of the total value. Splitting the difference between value and impacts,
vacant property is assigned EDU's at the rate of 25 percent of improved property.
A vacant parcel, designated exclusively for a single-family residential unit by a recorded Tract
Map or Parcel Map, will be assigned 0.25 EDUs per lot.
Other vacant parcels, including those properties designated as agricultural, are assessed based
upon the acreage of the parcel. All of these parcels will be assigned EDU's at the rate of 25% of
the developed non-residential properties, or 1.5 EDU's per acre.
Regarding larger vacant properties, a strict application of the EDU rate per acre will result in an
inappropriately large assessment, particularly considering the fact that the vacant parcel
provides some of the open space attributes the park system endeavors to provide. As the size of
a parcel increases, it begins to provide proportionally larger open space characteristics. In order
to recognize this, the EDU rate for vacant, non -SFR property is applied to the first 5 acres only.
This provides the City with a mechanism to effectively model the benefits received by vacant,
non -SFR property in the more urbanized areas (where vacant lot sizes tend to be smaller
because of encroaching development) while also crediting the open space benefits provide by
larger, undeveloped parcels.
Therefore, vacant, non -SFR parcels will be assessed 1.5 EDU's per acre up to a maximum of 5
acres per parcel. The minimum EDU assignment for a vacant parcel is 0.25 EDU's per parcel,
which is 25% of a developed SFR.
Exempt
Exempted from the assessment are the areas of streets, avenues, lanes, roads, drives, courts,
alleys, and public easements, rights -of -ways, and parkways. Also exempted from assessment are
utility rights-of-way, common areas (such as in condominium complexes), landlocked parcels and
small parcels vacated by the City as these parcels have little or no value and therefore do not
benefit from the improvements.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 12
In addition, parks, greenbelts and open space are exempt from assessment, as are public
schools, golf courses (which are considered as parks in most cities' planning documents) and
cemeteries, which are also considered to provide a type of parkland and open space.
Government -Owned Property
Prop. 218 states, "Parcels within a district that are owned or used by any [public] agency ... shall
not be exempt from the assessment unless the agency can demonstrate... that [the] parcels in
fact receive no special benefit."
Government-owned (public) properties must be assessed for the benefits they receive. If no
benefit is received (for example, parks and schools as discussed above) then the government
owned parcels can be "exempt" from the assessment. Uses such as City Hall and maintenance
yards are assessed as developed non-residential property.
BENEFIT FACTORS
Proper preservation of parklands and open space within and surrounding the City benefits
properties by providing environmental quality and recreational enhancement. The amount of
benefit received will vary with the different land use of the property. There are two categories
from which the total benefit of a parcel is derived, and these benefits are weighted equally with
respect to each other:
1. Environmental Quality Benefit. The improvement of the quality of air, visual aesthetics and
attractiveness of the community as a place to live, work and do business. All properties
within the District are considered to receive this benefit.
2. Recreation Enhancement Benefit. The availability of useable and safe parkland and
recreational facilities. Only residential properties are considered to receive this benefit as it
more directly relates to the enhancement of the quality of life in the residential community.
Table 2 outlines the Benefit Factors for the Open space, park and parkland program:
Table II: Open Space & Parkland Benefit Factors
BENEFIT UNITS
As discussed above, the basic formula for calculating Benefit Units for each property is as
follows:
Basic Formula:
(Equivalent Dwelling Units) x (Benefit Factor) = Benefit Units
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 13
Table 3, below, outlines the Benefit Unit calculations for various properties:
Table III: Benefit Unit Calculation
Table 4, below, provides a summary of Benefit Units for the City of Santa Clarita.
Table IV: Assessable Benefit Unit Summary by Land Use
Land Use
Parcels
dwellings
No. of Acres
Of
Units
Residential
Single family home
40,925
40,925
40,925.00
Single family vacant
1,549
1,549
387.25
Multi -family residential
434
12,313
9,234.75
Condominiums
18,847
18,847
14,135.25
Mobile Home Parks
29
21508
1,254.00
Developed Non -Residential
Commercial / Industrial
1,977
3,484.97
10,542.32
(incl. Government &
Church)
Vacant
Vacant 5 acres or less
652
882.88
687.19
Vacant more than 5 acres
274
7,122.10
1,039.62
64,687
76,142
11,489.95•
ASSESSMENT RATE CALCULATION
Table 5 provides the assessment rate calculation for FY 2019/2020.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 14
Table V: Assessment Rate Calculation
* The maximum annual assessment rate will be increased each year by $1.00 per Benefit Unit
(table below). The actual assessments levied in any fiscal year will be as approved by the City
Council and may not exceed the maximum assessment rate without receiving property owner
approval for the increase.
Sample calculations for various land uses are provided in the following Table 6:
Table VI: Sample Calculations
* Vacant parcels with more than 5 acres are assessed a maximum amount of 3.75 benefit units.
ASSESSMENT DURATION
The Open Space Preservation District is proposed to exist for thirty (30) years beginning with
2007/08 and maturing in fiscal year 2036/37.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 15
V. ASSESSMENT LL
The Assessment Roll is a listing of the proposed assessment for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 apportioned to
each lot or parcel, as shown on the last equalized roll of the Assessor of the County of Los Angeles. The
Preliminary Assessment Roll is provided as part of this report and is incorporated herein.
The description of each lot or parcel is part of the records of the Assessor of the County of Los Angeles
and these records are, by reference, made part of this Report.
ASSESSMENTVZ
The Assessment Diagram for the District is provided on the following page. The lines and dimensions of
each lot or parcel within the District are those lines and dimensions shown on the maps of the Assessor
of the County of Los Angeles, for the year when this Report was prepared, and are incorporated by
reference herein and made part of this Report.
Fiscal Year Open Space Preservation District Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Page 16
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Appendix 1
Certificates of Participation
Open Space and Parkland Acquisition Program 2007 Series
Debt Service Schedule
Fiscal Year City of Santa Clarita Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Open Space Preservation District APPENDIX 1
W I LLDAN
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Fiscal Year City of Santa Clarita Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Open Space Preservation District APPENDIX 1
Yy: W I LLDAN
Appendix 2
Open Space Acquisition
Implementation Work Program
Fiscal Year City of Santa Clarita Engineer's Report
2019/2020 Open Space Preservation District APPENDIX 2
OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION IMPLEMENTATION
WORK PROGRAM
FISCAL YEAR 2019-20
Approved at the Financial Accountability and Audit Panel Meeting: March 19, 2019
Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
LLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
A. Present Challenges 5
B. Types of Undeveloped Land to be Acquired 5
C. Acquisition Principles 6
D. Acreage Allocation Ratio i
E. Description of Land Acquisition Projects i
F. Acquisition Work Plan 10
o Potential Open Space
o Ranking Process
o Applications
G. Open Space Evaluation Process 15
o Step -by -Step Instructions
Appendix A — Open Space Inventory Criteria (OSIC) Checklist & Definitions
Appendix B — Open Space Preservation District Map
City of Santa Clarita Page 2
FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
Open Space Preservation District
FED-KILECUIFTIVE SUMMARY
Background
Since the City of Santa Clarita's (City) incorporation in 1987, the City has made a significant
effort to preserve greenbelts and undeveloped land within and outside the City. This includes
implementing the vision of the first and subsequent City Councils to buffer the Santa Clarita
Valley with a greenbelt to help maintain the character and quality of life for residents. During
"The Big Picture" Community Strategic Planning process in 2004, several open space goals were
reaffirmed. Additionally, in 2007 a number of community members spoke to the Council in
support of preserving undeveloped land and asked the Council to, once again, pursue the creation
of a mechanism to finance the acquisition and preservation of undeveloped land. In April 2007,
the City Council adopted a resolution to initiate the formation of the City of Santa Clarita Open
Space Preservation District.
Open Space Preservation District Formation
Property owners from the City voted to support the new Open Space Preservation District
(District), with 69 percent ballots in favor and 31 percent opposed. The District needed a simple
majority of assessment to pass, which was received. On July 17, 2007, the City Council adopted
a resolution forming the City of Santa Clarita Open Space Preservation District.
The City of Santa Clarita's Open Space Preservation District represents a significant step
forward in the City's ongoing efforts to acquire, preserve and protect open space.
District Purpose
The Open Space Preservation District will expand upon the City's existing Open Space, Park and
Parkland Program (Program).
The City already has an extensive Program for the acquisition, preservation, improvement,
servicing and maintenance of parks, parkland and open space lands. The program is responsible
for the implementation of various functions associated with park maintenance, park planning and
development. It provides planning and administration for the acquisition and construction of
parks, open space, trails and grounds, as well as the operations and maintenance supplies to
maintain the parks, facilities, trails and open space. In addition, this program works with the
community on the master plans and designs of various park facilities and oversees the
implementation of these designs by managing the construction process. Many properties outside
the City's boundaries benefit from the City's Program.
It is the City Council's intent to use the additional funding from the District to expand the
Program to accelerate vacant land acquisition in and around the City. The City had been doing
this to some extent in previous years, but this allowed more funds to be used for this purpose.
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FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
District Funds
When the District was formed in Fiscal Year 2007-08, the City's Parks Program budget was
approximately $6.8 million. The District was projected to increase the funds by approximately
$1.5 million and the City Council had committed the $1.5 million funds from the District to
acquire vacant lands in and around the City, as identified in this Annual Open Space Acquisition.
In 2007, the City Council approved the issuance of debt to finance the acquisition of open space
and parkland by executing and delivering $15,525,000 in Certificates of Participation (COPs -
Open Space and Parkland Program) 2007 Series. This represented approximately half of the
City's borrowing capacity and was the first bond issuance in a series of two.
As of fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, all bond proceeds have been exhausted.
Parcel Payments into the District
In 2007, a single-family residence paid $25, which is the designated Assessment Rate.
Condominiums, townhomes and apartments paid $18.75 for each unit and mobile home parks
paid $12.50 per space.
Non-residential developed property, such as commercial, industrial and institutional land uses
paid $75 per acre and vacant parcels paid $18.75 per acre up to 5 acres (not to exceed $93.75).
The maximum assessment rate that can be charged may increase by $1 each year. For fiscal year
FY 2018-19, the assessment rate is $36, equal to the adjusted maximum allowable rate of $36.
The actual assessment rate in any fiscal year must be approved by the City Council prior to the
levy and may not exceed the maximum Assessment Rate without receiving property owner
approval for the increase.
Assessment District Duration
The assessment will be in place for thirty (30) years through Fiscal Year 2036-37.
Engineer's Report and Annual Work Program
An Engineer's Report for the formation of this District was developed. The Engineer's Report is
a legally required document, pursuant to Article XIIID of the California Constitution, for
assessment districts.
This document (Work Program) outlines how the open space acquisition will be accomplished,
what the priorities are, etc. The Work Program provides acquisition principles, such as:
■ The acquired land is within the three mile benefit area boundary for the District (which is
defined as within a three mile radius of the City's boundary).
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FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
■ At least 90 percent of the acres purchased will be preserved for natural open space (so that no
more than 10 percent of the acres purchased will be used for future improved active
parkland).
WORK PROGRAM
A. PRESENT CHALLENGES
The City of Santa Clarita incorporated in 1987 and encompasses the communities of Canyon
Country, Newhall, Saugus and Valencia. Surrounding the City are various unincorporated
areas and the Angeles National Forest. At the end of fiscal year 2018, the City had over 390
acres of developed parkland, over 90 miles of trails and nearly 11,000 acres of City -owned
open space. In FY 2017-18, the City annexed the Plum Canyon area and Skyline Ranch
development, raising the City's population to approximately 222,000 as of November 2018.
The City's General Plan requires five acres of active parkland per 1,000 in population.
Based on the requirement, the City faces a deficit of approximately 717 acres of active
parkland and continues to seek a greenbelt/buffer of preserved open space around the Santa
Clarita Valley (Valley) and the City.
Since incorporation, the City has experienced significant growth in area and population that
has impacted the relationship between open space areas and developed land. The City
desires to ensure that our open space areas are protected and maintained, as it recognizes that
growth must be complemented with continued protection of our open spaces and the addition
of parks and recreation opportunities if the area's quality of life is to be maintained.
The City should build upon its strong history of park stewardship, development, trail
construction and open space preservation. If the City wishes to pass on to future generations
of residents a community that retains the attractions that drew them here, the City must
continue to protect and enhance its open space and parkland.
B. TYPES OF UNDEVELOPED LAND TO BE ACQUIRED
The following category descriptions explain the variety of open space preservation actions
that are needed in the City:
• Undeveloped Land Preservation This effort will seek to preserve and protect the
undeveloped areas around the Valley and further the City's goal to create a
greenbelt/buffer around the Valley and reduce sprawl.
Santa Clara River Watershed To bring the last unchanneled river in Southern
California into public ownership and protect its wild, valuable habitat has long been a
City goal.
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• Trails Santa Clarita is well known for its miles of scenic and effective bike and
multi -use trails which link neighborhoods to parks and open space, yet many more
critical linkages remain to be added and completed.
• Wildlife Corridors Protection and enhancement of the core habitat of unique, endemic
and valuable plants and animals is a critical goal.
C. ACQUISITION PRINCIPLES
The following principles are the basis for allocation categories and the criteria within each
allocated category. They will also guide the implementation of this Work Program and serve
as benchmarks for the Financial Accountability and Audit Panel in reviewing project
expenditures.
The principles are intended to maximize the special benefit derived from this Work
Program, maintain the integrity of the Work Program and to assure fair and equitable
distribution of acreage. A land acquisition project does not need to address each of these
principles to be acquired, but the consistency with principles will be considered when
allocations are determined.
1) To acquire parcels of undeveloped land.
2) To provide local matching funds as a way to attract state, federal and foundation funds.
3) To provide new methods for undeveloped land preservation, including the appropriate
use of conservation easements, trails and protection of rivers and creeks.
4) To distribute the open space acquisition equitably in and around the City and/or the three
mile Area of Benefit boundary.
5) To assure that new and existing undeveloped lands receive the necessary stewardship.
6) To ensure that land that is acquired is within the three mile benefit area boundary; this is
defined as within a three mile radius of the City's existing boundary.
7) To acquire ecologically significant parcels of undeveloped land and engage in regional
cooperative efforts.
8) To acquire parcels of undeveloped land of regional importance.
In addition, there are several principles that assure that the District funds will be expended in
a way that complement good public policy. These will also be used by the Financial
Accountability and Audit Panel to gauge the appropriateness of expenditures.
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9) To minimize impacts and respect adjacent property owners and the values they place on
their property.
10) To rely on institutions to implement this Work Program, to the extent possible, so that
funds are spent efficiently.
11) To endeavor to acquire property and easements from willing sellers.
12) To acquire parcels in a fiscally responsible manner.
D. ACREAGE ALLOCATION RATIO
Funds derived from the District that are utilized for this Work Program shall fund the
acquisition of acres of undeveloped land in the following ratio:
At least 90 percent of the acres purchased will be preserved natural open space.
No more than 10 percent of the acres purchased will be used for future improved
active parkland.
E. DESCRIPTION OF LAND ACQUISITION PROJECTS
The City of Santa Clarita's 2002 Open Space Acquisition Plan, the Nature Conservancy's
2006 Santa Clara River Upper Watershed Conservation Plan, Santa Clarita River Watershed
Plan, LA County SEA, South Coast Wildlands Missing Linkages, Rim -of -the -Valley studies
and other relevant technical documents will be considered to prioritize properties for land
acquisition.
The City of Santa Clarita's Open Space Acquisition Plan, adopted by the City Council in
August 2002, established a set of guidelines and policies for bringing open space in the Santa
Clarita Valley into public ownership. The primary objective defined in the Open Space
Acquisition Plan is creating a greenbelt of open space around the City. The purpose of the
greenbelt is to ensure the character and natural habitat of the pristine environment
surrounding the City. In addition, the Open Space Acquisition Plan also identifies finding
open space within the City as a priority, not only as natural land, but as active park space as
well.
During the community process that helped form the Open Space Acquisition Plan, staff was
able to identify what members of the public consider open space to be. Open space was
defined as vacant, undeveloped land in its natural state as well as both active and passive
park space. It should be noted that in order for park space to be considered open space, the
park needs to be of regional size. A small neighborhood tot lot, for example, is not
considered open space. However, the City's Central Park, Newhall Park and Canyon
Country Park (to name a few) are considered to be open space.
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The Open Space Acquisition Plan's primary function as a planning tool is to identify sites
that represent the best acquisition value for the City. This is done by a set of established and
approved criteria that can be applied to any potential property. At the same time, the Open
Space Acquisition Plan can be used to determine if a potential property does not represent a
good value to the City. Under either circumstance, when land is acquired, the City endeavors
to respect the land use for which the current terrain, topography and environmental
characteristics best represents. To establish a regional scope, the Open Space Acquisition
Plan identifies five key areas in the Valley that are consistent with the City Council's
direction for potential open space acquisition. These regions are:
Eastern Region:
o Approximate Area: From the 14 Freeway east to the Angeles National Forest and
from the intersection of the 5/14 Freeways north to Vasquez Rocks.
o Goals: To create a continuous strip of open space along the eastern border of the
City of Santa Clarita. Connect open space between the City's boundary and the
Angeles National Forest whenever possible.
o Status: The City has made considerable progress in the eastern region. Open
space property is in public ownership near the proposed Transit Mixed Concrete
(CEMEX) project, Whitney Canyon and several hundred acres associated with the
Golden Valley Ranch development. The City, working with the Mountains
Recreation and Conservation Authority, purchased an additional 243 acres in this
region in 2010 and in 2012, in partnership with Santa Monica Mountains
Conservancy and Los Angeles County, acquired 1,027 acres in the Eastern CAPP.
The 13 -acre Alfieri Property, adjacent to the CEMEX site, was purchased in FY
2015-16. In October 2016, 52 acres were added to Golden Valley Ranch Open
Space and additional 89 acres were added in April 2017, totaling 141 acres in FY
16-17.
Southern Region:
o Approximate Area: From the intersection of the 5/14 Freeway interchange north
to the City of Santa Clarita boundary and between the identified eastern and
western regions.
o Goals: Link natural habitat and habitat migration corridors between the eastern
and western regions.
o Status: A total of 249 acres were acquired in July 2016 and March 2017 as part
of the Newhall Pass Open Space. This region also contains the historic Beale's
Cut property.
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• Western Region:
o Approximate Area: From the 5 Freeway to the Santa Susanna Mountains
Significant Ecological Area in the west, areas around Stevenson Ranch and from
the Interstate 5/14 Freeway interchange to San Francisquito Creek in the north.
o Goals: To create a continuous strip of open space along the western border of the
City of Santa Clarita.
o Status: Several significant properties exist in the region including the Santa Clarita
Woodlands, Towsley Canyon, Mentryville and 6,000 acres associated with the
Newhall Ranch Development.
• Northern Region:
o Approximate Area: From the northern boundary of the City of Santa Clarita north
to the Angeles National Forest and from the Interstate 5 Freeway/Highway 126
interchange to Vasquez Rocks.
o Goals: To create a continuous strip of open space along the northern border of the
City of Santa Clarita. Connect open space between the City of Santa Clarita and
the Angeles National Forest whenever possible.
o Status: In FY 16-17, the City marked its first acquisition in this region of
surrounding greenbelt with the purchase of 78 acres in Tapia Canyon. Further
development of this region should be monitored and open space dedication
pursued whenever possible.
• City of Santa Clarita:
o Area: All areas contained within the defined boundaries of the City of Santa
Clarita.
o Goals: Work with all City departments, partners and in conjunction with the Open
Space Plan; the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan; River Features
Study and other documents to acquire and protect open space, both active and
passive, within the City limits. Work in partnership with the development
community to secure open space through dedication.
o Status: In FY 17-18, the City acquired 8 acres for the future Canyon Country
Community Center. To date, the City has acquired nearly 11,000 acres of open
space, approximately 418 acres of developed parkland and over 90 miles of trails.
The regions described above cover a significant area in the Santa Clarita Valley. As a result,
a considerable acreage of land must be considered and analyzed prior to deciding upon a set
of properties to pursue. The Open Space Acquisition Plan, along with this Work Program,
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FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
can be used as a tool to assist the City Council and planners in determining which property or
properties represent the best value for the City. The land acquisition projects to be
considered for funding from the Open Space Preservation District will be located within the
benefit area as identified in the Engineer's Report.
F. ACQUISTION WORK PLAN
Procedures to Accomplish and Implement Goals
The goals and objectives of the Open Space Acquisition Plan will be met by an objective
work plan. This work plan will enable the City of Santa Clarita to evaluate and rank
potential open space in the Valley and maximize the limited funding and resources available
for land acquisition and the Open Space Preservation District funds.
Potential Open Space
It is important to note that existing undeveloped land is not considered open space. For
purposes of this plan, property will only be considered preserved open space if it is:
In public ownership and/or;
Appropriately zoned, designated or identified as open space or parkland.
Properties being considered for acquisition will be considered potential open space until such
a time that they come into public ownership and/or receive the appropriate designation or
zoning.
Rankine Process
The City of Santa Clarita lacks the financial means to purchase all of the potential open space
in the Valley. As a result, the identification and acquisition of the most valuable pieces of
potential open space becomes critically important to maximize the allocation of the City's
limited resources.
To achieve this end, an objective method of evaluation must be established to evaluate and
rank each potential open space property being considered for acquisition. Ideally, those
properties that present the greatest value to the City and/or Region should be acquired.
The following seven step process will allow the City of Santa Clarita to determine which
potential open space properties represent the greatest value for acquisition. This process will
be applied to each parcel being considered for acquisition.
• Step One — Category of Land
Determine the category of the potential open space. There are two possible
categories:
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FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
1. Inside the City of Santa Clarita.
2. Outside the City of Santa Clarita and within the Open Space Preservation
District's three mile Area of Benefit boundary.
Potential open space outside the City of Santa Clarita and within the three mile Area
of Benefit boundary should receive priority for acquisition because:
➢ Preserving land outside the City will assist in the development of a greenbelt and
ecological value surrounding the Valley.
➢ More development is occurring in Los Angeles County than in the City.
➢ Land outside the City can create corridors between the City and the Angeles
National Forest.
➢ There is more potential open space to acquire outside the City.
• Step Two — Development Status
Determine the development status of the potential open space. The seven status
categories are:
A. Entitlements Pending: Development plans have been formally submitted to the
City or Los Angeles County and are in the process of being considered or
prepared for submittal.
B. Information Inquiries: The property owner has approached the City or Los
Angeles County regarding the property with the intent to develop.
C. Entitlements Approved: Plans to develop the property have been approved by the
City or Los Angeles County, and an opportunity exists to acquire open space from
the property owner.
D. Amendments: When changes or amendments to the property are proposed.
E. Boundaries: The property's boundary status has changed because of factors such
as annexation. The property is now within the three mile Area of Benefit
boundary.
F. No Action: No action has been taken to develop the property on the part of the
property owner, or the owner has indicated no interest in developing the property.
G. No Information: There is no information and/or the development status of the
property is unknown.
Status categories are shown in order of priority, with Status A being the highest.
• Step Three — Availability Status
Determine if the owner of the potential open space property is a willing seller or
would enter into agreements to have the land acquired by the City.
Priority should be given to properties with a willing seller/donor unless the
acquisition of the property presents an overriding benefit to the public good, as
determined by the City Council.
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• Step Four — Create Subcategories
The potential open space property will now fit into one of several subcategories
depending on whether it is inside or outside of the City, inside the three mile Area of
Benefit boundary and on its development status. Hence, each potential open space
property will fall within one of the following categories:
Development Status A
i Wtt"111i"
Development Status A
Development Status B
Development Status B
Development Status C
Development Status C
Development Status D
Development Status D
Development Status E
Development Status E
Development Status F
Development Status F
Development Status G
Development Status G
Each category will have several potential open space properties within it forming a
catalog of properties in each category. However, each potential open space property
will not receive a relative ranking until Step 5 below.
At this time, the properties in each list should be sorted by their availability status.
Those properties with willing sellers/donors should be placed at the top of the list and
those without at the bottom.
• Step Five — Apply Criteria
This step will apply the Open Space Inventory Checklist (OSIC) to each property on
each list. (This step will also be the most time consuming.)
The OSIC identifies resources that the City of Santa Clarita believes to be valuable.
These resources are divided into five categories: Habitat Areas; Ridgelines and
Viewsheds; Recreational Resources; Cultural and Historical Resources; and Other
Resources. Each category contains several elements and sub -elements. Each element
and sub -element represents a specific benefit that is either present or not present at
each individual property. Each element and sub -element is weighed equally.
The purpose of the OSIC is to assign numerical scores to each parcel of potential
open space surveyed, based on their overall benefit to the City. Over time, as more
parcels are considered, it will be possible to determine which parcels are more
desirable and which are less desirable based on their relative scores.
To determine the numerical score for each property, the following steps should be
followed:
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FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
1. Beginning with the Habitat Area Category, place a check in the "status" column
of the OSIC for each element and/or sub -element that is present on the property.
2. Do not place a check in the "status" column in the OSIC of elements or sub -
elements that do not exist on the property.
3. Apply Steps 1 and 2 to each of the remaining categories.
4. Count the number of check marks in each category and write that number in the
corresponding "Category Subtotal" space.
5. Transfer the numbers from each "Category Subtotal" space to the front page of
the OSIC in the spaces provided.
6. Add each of the category subtotals together and place the results on the front page
of the OSIC in the space marked "Total Score." This figure is the final numerical
score of the property and will be used to establish its rank with other potential
open space properties.
A copy of the Open Space Inventory Checklist and corresponding definitions is
attached as Appendix A.
• Step Six — Catalog Generation
After each potential open space property has a numerical value assigned to it, each
property should be listed within each category in numerical order, with the highest
value at the top of each list. As indicated in Step 3, properties that do not have a
willing seller/donor should be listed at the bottom of each list. The only exception to
this is if any property that has been identified as one whose acquisition would present
significant benefit to the public good, as defined by the City Council. These
properties should be listed among the properties with willing sellers/donors.
In addition, a general assessment of maintenance costs and liability of each property
should be weighed at this time. All else being equal, the properties that present fewer
maintenance challenges and reduced liability should be considered before those with
more challenges and greater risks. The properties that present unreasonable
maintenance costs or significant risk may not be considered, regardless of their
numerical score.
• Step Seven — Recommend Parcels for Acquisition
When each property has been ranked, a final catalog of the highest priority properties
can be compiled by staff. A variety of methods can be used to create the final list of
recommendations. This catalog will grow as more properties are considered.
• Plan Flexibility
It is important to realize that this plan is only a guide. The ultimate decision on the
acquisition of property belongs to the City Council. The evolving catalog of
properties to acquire will not obligate the City but will serve as a tool in the decision
making process.
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The plan must be flexible enough to allow for amendments. Because development
occurs rapidly and the status of land changes in a similar fashion, the plan, or parts of
the plan, should be updated as needed. An explanation of steps one through seven is
explained further in Section G: Open Space Evaluation Process, Step -by -Step.
Applications
This plan can he used for a variety of applications, however, there are three major areas of
implementation:
Dedication: Often the City is approached by developers and/or property owners who wish
to dedicate all or portions of their property to the City as open space. Although
additional natural land is needed in Santa Clarita and may present numerous
opportunities, in some cases, costs or liability associated with property ownership may
not warrant acquisition.
In cases where the City is approached by a property owner with the intention to dedicate
property, either the City can evaluate the property using the OSIC, or it may be the case
that the City has already evaluated the property independently. In either case, the
property will receive or already have a numerical score.
In both cases, the proposed parcel will receive a score and be ranked against other
potential open space in the Valley. Depending on its score and rank, the City will be able
to make an objective decision on whether to accept or deny the dedication.
2. Development Review Committee: Developers often propose to dedicate open space as
part of the development process. The OSIC can be used by staff during the development
review process to help determine whether the proposed open space meets the City's
needs.
Depending on the rank given to the property using the OSIC, City staff will be able to
make an objective decision about how the dedication will fit into the overall development
process.
3. Grant Writing: There is a significant amount of grant funds available for acquisition of
open space. Being able to provide an objective statement of value for any given property
being sought for acquisition will help build valid justification for bringing the site into
public ownership and enhance the City's ability to receive funding.
City staff applies for grants as they become available and as they meet the objectives of
the City. Staff resources will be utilized to apply for available grant funds for acquisition
of open space.
Over time, a substantial catalog of potential open space properties will be compiled.
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G. OPEN SPACE EVALUATION PROCESS
Step -by -Step Instructions
The City's Open Space Acquisition Plan outlines the evaluation process for open space in the
Valley. The work plan is a series of seven steps designed to categorize and objectively
determine the overall value of potential open space properties. This section includes detailed
instructions for each step in the process.
1. Land Category — Determine whether the property is inside or outside of the District's
three mile Area of Benefit boundary.
2. Development Status — Determine the development status of the property.
3. Availability Status — Determine if the property owner is a willing seller or donor.
4. Create Subcate_og ries — Categorize the property according to Steps 1-3.
5. Apply Criteria — Apply criteria on the OSIC to the property.
6. Create Final Lists — Based on the property's OSIC score, determine its relative rank
within the property's sub -list from Step 4.
7. Catalog Generation — Based on the final lists in Step 6, make recommendations on
whether the property should or should not be considered for acquisition. Note that
recommendations should always be directed to the City Council for approval.
Step 1 — Land Category
Step 1 requires the evaluator to determine whether the property is inside or outside of the
three mile Area of Benefit boundary. This can be done by consulting the District map
(Appendix B).
After Step 1 is completed, the potential property will be categorized as either "Inside the
City" or "Outside the City and within the three mile Area of Benefit boundary." Properties
categorized as "Outside the City and Within the three mile Area of Benefit boundary" have
been identified by the City Council as higher priority than those categorized as "Inside the
City and Within the three-mile Area of Benefit boundary."
Step 2 — Development Status
Step 2 in the process is to obtain the development status of the property from the Planning
Division. Provide Planning with one of the following pieces of information (listed in priority
order):
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FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
1. Address
2. Location (i.e., cross streets, etc.)
3. Tentative Parcel Map or Tentative Tract Map
4. Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
Based on the results of the Development Status search, the evaluator should assign the
development history to one of the following categories:
A. Entitlements Pending: Development plans have been formally submitted to the City
or Los Angeles County and are in the process of being considered or prepared for
submittal.
B. Information Inquiries: The property owner has approached the City or Los Angeles
County regarding the property with the intent to develop.
C. Entitlements Approved: Plans to develop the property have been approved by the City
or Los Angeles County and an opportunity exists to acquire open space from the
property owner.
D. Amendments: When changes or amendments to the property are proposed.
E. Boundaries: The property's boundary status has changed because of annexation, etc.
The property is now within the three mile Area of Benefit boundary.
F. No Action: No action has been taken to develop the property on the part of the
property owner, or the owner has indicated no interest in developing the property.
G. No Information: There is no information and/or the development status of the
property is unknown.
Development status categories are shown in priority order, with Status A being the highest
priority.
By the end of Step 2, the property should be categorized as either "Inside the City" or
"Outside the City and within the three mile Area of Benefit boundary" and assigned a
Development Status. (To this point, a property that is "Outside the City and within the three
mile Area of Benefit boundary" and has Development Status A would receive the highest
priority. This will be discussed in Step 4 — Creating Subcategories.)
Step 3 — Availability Status
In this step, determine if the property owner is known to be a willing seller/donor or a
non -willing seller/donor. If this is not known, it may be necessary to contact the property
owner. (Contact information should be provided by Planning in Step 2.)
Priority should be given to properties with a willing seller/donor unless the acquisition of the
property presents an overriding benefit to the public good, as determined by the City Council.
At the end of Step 3, the property should be categorized as "Inside the City" or "Outside the
City and within the three mile Area of Benefit boundary," have a development status
assigned to it (A through G) and whether the property owner is a willing seller/donor.
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Step 4 — Create Subcategories
By this time, the potential open space property should have been categorized as indicated
above in Step 3. The first relative value judgment of that property can now be assessed and
compared with other open space properties that have been evaluated.
Properties that are "Outside the City and within the three mile Area of Benefit boundary" and
have a Development Status A are identified as the highest priority for acquisition.
Conversely, properties that are "Inside the City" with a Development Status of D or E are
identified as the lowest priority for acquisition.
It should be noted that properties that are "Outside the City and within the three mile Area of
Benefit boundary" with a Development Status of D or E may or may not be a higher
acquisition priority than, for example, a property that is "Inside the City" and a Development
Status A. These instances should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
After Step 4, the property being evaluated should be placed in one of these categories:
Step 5 — Apply Criteria
Step 5 of the evaluation is by far the most lengthy and involved segment of the process.
For each property, the evaluator should complete an (OSIC) form. In most cases, it will be
necessary to travel to the site itself to complete the form. Accessing each property will
generally require the permission of the property owner.
Steps to Complete the OSIC
Provide basic property information including:
■ The APN.
■ The date(s) the evaluation was conducted.
■ The initials of the evaluator.
■ The availability status (willing seller/donor).
■ A brief description of the location of the property.
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Development Status A
Development Status A
Development Status B
Development Status B
Development Status C
Development Status C
Development Status D
Development Status D
Development Status E
Development Status E
Development Status F
Development Status F
Development Status G
Development Status G
Step 5 — Apply Criteria
Step 5 of the evaluation is by far the most lengthy and involved segment of the process.
For each property, the evaluator should complete an (OSIC) form. In most cases, it will be
necessary to travel to the site itself to complete the form. Accessing each property will
generally require the permission of the property owner.
Steps to Complete the OSIC
Provide basic property information including:
■ The APN.
■ The date(s) the evaluation was conducted.
■ The initials of the evaluator.
■ The availability status (willing seller/donor).
■ A brief description of the location of the property.
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2. Provide basic category and development status information. Circle whether the
property is inside or outside the City and inside or outside the three mile Area of
Benefit boundary and circle the letter that corresponds to the property's appropriate
development status.
3. Evaluate each element and sub -element of each of the six inventory categories. These
six categories are:
■ Habitat Areas
■ Ridgelines and Viewsheds
■ Recreational Resources
■ Cultural/Historical Resources
■ Other Resources
■ Hazard/Other Areas
To evaluate the elements and sub -elements in each inventory category, place an "X"
or checkmark in the status column of each element or sub -element known to exist or
observed to exist on the property. Place no marks in the status column for elements
or sub -elements not known or observed to exist on the property.
For Example: If a hypothetical property being evaluated contains a wildlife migration
corridor, riparian habitat, a portion of the Santa Clara River and a known presence of
the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, then these elements and sub -elements should
each receive an "X" or checkmark in the corresponding status column. Other
elements and sub -elements that are not known to be or observed to be present on the
site should NOT receive a mark.
Special Instructions: Some elements and sub -elements have special scoring
instructions associated with them. In most cases, only one mark should be placed in
the corresponding status column of known or observed elements and sub -elements.
However, there are exceptions. The exceptions are:
Known threatened/endangered plant and animal species: The species listed on the
OSIC are those that appeared on the 2008 list provided by the California
Department of Fish and Game. These elements and sub -elements should always
reflect the most current list of state and federally endangered and threatened
species. Place only one mark in the status column for each sub -element present
regardless of the population of the species. Do not, however, place one mark in
the status column for each individual species present on the property.
■ Ridgelines: Place a mark in the status column if there is at least one ridgeline
present on the property.
■ Cultural and/or Historical Resource Areas: Place one mark in each sub -element
for each site on the property. For example, a hypothetical property containing
City of Santa Clarita Page 18
FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
two Native American sites and two other archaeological sites should receive a
total of four marks in the corresponding status column.
4. Score each inventory category. To complete this step, simply count all of the X's or
checkmarks for elements and sub -elements within each inventory category. Record
the total number of marks for each category in the space provided in the category
column. In addition, record the same figures in the spaces provided in the score
summary box at the top left of the first page of the OSIC.
Note that marks in the Hazard/Other Area category are not included in the overall
total. Instead, these marks are meant to be general indicators of potentially negative
aspects of the property. The City may wish to reconsider acquisition of properties
that contain any of the sub -elements in this category, regardless of the extent or
frequency.
For Example: A hypothetical property has one primary ridgeline, the presence of
secondary ridgelines, a significant dark sky viewshed, a significant regional viewshed
and a unique on-site visual feature yielding a total of five marks in the Ridgeline and
Viewshed Category. The number 5 would be recorded in the category column and on
the front page in the space provided next to "Ridgelines and Viewsheds." The same
process would be completed for each of the six inventory categories.
Add the inventory category scores to compute the property's overall score. When
each category score has been recorded in the spaces provided on the front page of the
OSIC, the scores should be totaled (except those in the Hazards category). This is the
final score of the property being evaluated. By the end of Step 5, the property being
evaluated should have a total score associated with it. The higher the score, the
greater the relative value of the property to the City.
Step 6 — Catalog Generation
At this point, the property being evaluated should have the following assigned to it:
A land category either "Inside the City" or "Outside the City and within the three
mile Area of Benefit boundary".
A development status of either A through G.
A total score based on criteria in the OSIC.
As the catalog of open space grows, properties should be sorted according to their land
category and development status. Properties of the same land category and development
status should then be sorted by the score received, based on the criteria in the OSIC. A
higher OSIC score represents a property of greater value. Hence, a property that is "Outside
the City and within the three-mile Area of Benefit boundary," Development Status A and
with the highest OSIC score should theoretically represent the greatest overall value to the
City for acquisition.
City of Santa Clarita Page 19
FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
Note: Those properties with non -willing sellers/donors should be grouped at the bottom of
subcategories, in OSIC score order.
Step 7 — Recommend Parcels for Acquisition
Based on the final set of lists, parcels that represent the greatest value for the City to acquire
should be recommended. All recommendations should be directed to the City Council for
final approval.
City of Santa Clarita Page 20
FY 2019-20 Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program
APPENDIX A
Open Space Inventory Criteria Form (OSIC)
0
DECE. 16
Contents:
■ Open Space Inventory Site Checklist
■ Definitions
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Open Space Preservation District Map
0
DECE. 16
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■ Open Space Preservation District Map
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