HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - PRESERVATION REAL PROPTY PICO CYN8
Agenda Item:7
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGERAPPROVAL:
DATE:September 10, 2024
PRESERVATION OF 242.44 +/-ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY IN
SUBJECT:
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, AYRES PROPERTY, ASSESSORS
PARCEL NOS. 2826-019-035 AND 2826-019-036
DEPARTMENT:Neighborhood Services
PRESENTER:Mariela Delgado
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1.Approve the purchase of 242.44+/-acres of real property contiguous to City-owned open
space property to the west of the City, Assessor's Parcel Numbers 2826-019-035 and 2826-
019-036, at a total cost of $1,093,255, which includes property purchase price, escrow, title,
appraisal fees, due diligence costs, maintenance, and payment of annual property taxes.
2.Appropriate one-time fundsin the amount of $1,093,255 from the Open Space Preservation
District Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account
3587501-520104.
3.Appropriate ongoing funds in the amount of $21,120 from Open Space Preservation District
Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Expenditure Account 3587501-518503 and $2,500 to
3587501-511101.
4.Find this acquisition exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Article 19, Section 15313 (Class 13); Section 15317 (Class 17); and
Section 15325 (Class 25).
5.Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney
approval.
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BACKGROUND
The subject property is located in the Pico Canyon area and is contiguous to the City of Santa
Clarita - (City) owned Aidlin Open Space, including the recently purchased 40+/- acre parcel and
the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority-owned properties. The property
contributes to fortifying the green belt buffer on the western edge of the Santa Clarita Valley and
is adjacent to existing City and state open space preservation lands.
In 2023, the property owner contacted the City regarding selling the vacant property adjacent to
the City-owned open space property. City staff evaluated the property and determined that
acquiring the parcel would positively increase the City's open space preservation effort on the
west side of the valley and will fortify open space connections between Aidlin Open Space and
Rivendale Open Space areas.
In recent years, the City has paid an average of $6,441 per acre when acquiring open space land.
The Ayres property costs $4,364 per acre, resulting in a total purchase cost of $1,056,000.
Additionally, closing costs, including escrow, title, appraisal fees, and maintenance, are
estimated at $37,255, bringing the total cost and appropriation to $1,093,255. Since the property
is located outside the City boundary, an ongoing annual appropriation of $23,620 will be
required for maintenance and property taxes.
The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Article 19, Section
15313 (Class 13); Section 15317 (Class 17); and Section 15325 (Class 25). A Class 13
exemption consists of the acquisition of lands for fish and wildlife conservation purposes. A
Class 17 exemption consists of the acceptance of easements or fee interests in order to maintain
the open space character of the area. A Class 25 exemption consists of transferring ownership of
interests in land to preserve open space, habitat, or historical resources.
Staff recommends approving the acquisition of the open space property to continue the ongoing
Open Space Preservation District efforts.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other actions determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total costs associated with the property acquisition are estimated at $1,093,255. Upon City
Council approval of the Recommended Action, funds will be available in Open Space
Expenditure Accounts 3587501-520104, 3587501-518503, and 3587501-511101 (OSPD fund).
ATTACHMENTS
Site Map
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