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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - PRESERVERVATION REAL PROP APN 2826 019 031Agenda Item: 15 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Li DATE: June 25, 2024 SUBJECT: PRESERVATION OF 41.49 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, ASSESSORS PARCELS NO. 2826-019-031 DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services PRESENTER: Susan Nelson RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Approve the purchase of 41.49+/- acres of real property contiguous to City -owned open space property to the west of the City, Assessor's Parcel Number 2826-019-031, at a total cost of $195,250, which includes property purchase price, escrow, title, appraisal fees, due diligence costs, and payment of annual property taxes. 2. Appropriate $195,250 from the Open Space Preservation District Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 3587501-520104. 3. Appropriate $5,000 as an on -going annual expenditure from Open Space Preservation District Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 3587501- 518503 ($2,500) and 3587501-511101 ($2,500) for the payment of annual property taxes and on -going maintenance. 4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. 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 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. Page 1 Packet Pg. 253 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. The purchase price of the property is $180,000. Closing costs, which include escrow, title, appraisal fees, and due diligence costs, are estimated at $15,250, for a total cost and appropriation of $195,250. An ongoing appropriation of $2,500 annually is necessary for the payment of property taxes as the property is located outside of the City boundary. 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 the transfers of ownership of interests in land in order 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 action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The total costs associated with the property acquisition are estimated at $195,250. 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 Page 2 Packet Pg. 254 0 2826-019-031 Site Map VISTA VALENCIA caLPCOURSE ZZ 0 M RCA 2826-019-031 County Park City of Santa Clarita Boundary Public Open Spaces Other Open Spaces City Park 211 �Feac - �„ � Ele mentary F' rotary I'v -_ 1K. 1 RiJENDALEPARK rf dOPEN SPACE �/� • y r 4 - 7 I N, Al I PASS. — — — it 15.a a 1:18,056 C 0 0.17 0.35 0.7 mi m �5 T fn 0 0.3 0.6 1.2 krr :% r d E r Bureau of Land Management, Esri, HERE, Garmin, INCREMENT P, NGA, USGS Packet Pg. 255 Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. The City of Santa Clarita does not warrant the accuracy of the data and assumes no liability for any