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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - PRESERVATION REAL PROPTY NO 2865 021 004O Agenda Item: 9 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: A 2UJ' DATE: November 12, 2024 SUBJECT: PRESERVATION OF 40 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, ENCORE PROPERTY, ASSESSOR PARCEL NO. 2865-021-004 DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services PRESENTER: Susan Nelson RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Approve the purchase of 40+/- acres of real property northwest of the City of Santa Clarita, Assessor Parcel Number 2865-021-004, at a total cost of $195,310, which includes property purchase price, escrow, title, due diligence costs, maintenance, and payment of annual property taxes. 2. Appropriate one-time funds in the amount of $195,310 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 $8,600 from Open Space Preservation District Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Expenditure Accounts 3587501-518503 ($3,600) and 3587501-511101 ($5,000) for annual property taxes and ongoing maintenance. 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. BACKGROUND The subject property, APN 2865-021-004, 40 +/- acres, is located in the Tapia Canyon area and Page 1 Packet Pg. 286 O is contiguous to the conditioned dedication of Tesoro Highlands Open Space to the City of Santa Clarita (City). The property contributes to fortifying the green belt buffer on the northern edge of the Santa Clarita Valley. In June 2024, the property owner, Encore, LLC, (Encore) 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 north side of the valley and contribute towards connecting the existing City -owned Tapia Open Space and the City -owned Tesoro Highlands Open Space areas. In recent years, the City has paid an average of $5,747 per acre when acquiring open space land. The Encore property costs $4,500 per acre, resulting in a purchase cost of $180,000. Additionally, closing costs, including escrow, title, due diligence, and maintenance, are estimated at $15,310, bringing the total cost and appropriation to $195,310. Due to the property's location outside the City boundary, an ongoing annual appropriation of $8,600 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 action as determined by City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The total cost associated with the property acquisition is estimated at $195,310. 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 Encore Site Map Page 2 Packet Pg. 287 S313JMd SOI NI kIU3dOUd IV3U =10 S3UOV -/+0V =10 NOIIVA113S3Ud) dew a;iS aaOOu3 :;uauayOe;;d r' - �` coNom �. i 0. a ��. '�'` , ab NO.I • r p �> .OlIL1aSO S r Y yy �.k. Y, .`� J• r zh r . a� co U_ a� Q N m IM m 13 LP O 3 - E 0 O V > o O di N c a cn o O o c E o > O o N to m m A 6 O i o V L O V V i = c c 0 c o" o a un - N V NLLo �- Z }I W Q L a O Q' v O z W C Ci o N a U m c C- m 0- 2 U U - U C O o U m 1 N m m C C ...� 'i W H U O 0 0 �,.w. 16 • UU m CO LL fl m0 CO a d�NRn IL 1 rl oa rvonrvvo �ryrsaH j� "3 �� � m o L_ l A -a o ( �J� � q �"L'ry srv3n3is r