HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - PRESERVATION 169 ACRES HARTIGAN PROPTYAgenda Item: 10
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: A
2uj'
DATE: November 12, 2024
SUBJECT: PRESERVATION OF 169 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY IN LOS
ANGELES COUNTY, HARTIGAN PROPERTY, ASSESSOR PARCEL
NOS. 3211-001-034, 3211-001-042, 3214-022-024, AND 3214-022-025
DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services
PRESENTER: Susan Nelson
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
Approve the purchase of 169+/- acres of real property northeast of the City of Santa Clarita,
Assessor Parcel Numbers 3211-001-034, 3211-001-042, 3214-022-024, 3214-022-025, at a
total cost of $702,046, 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 $664,837 from the Open Space Preservation
District Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account
3587501-520104 and $37,209 from the General Fund (Fund 100) to Property Acquisition
Account 1007503-520104.
3. Appropriate ongoing funds in the amount of $17,538 from the Open Space Preservation
District Fund (Fund 358) to Open Space Expenditure Accounts 3587501-518503 ($12,803)
and 3587501-511101 ($4,735) for annual property taxes and ongoing maintenance.
4. Appropriate ongoing funds in the amount of $982 from the General Fund (Fund 100) to
Finance Administration Account 1002100-518503 ($717) and to the Property Acquisition
Management Expenditure Account 1007503-514101 ($265) for annual property taxes and
ongoing maintenance.
5. 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).
Page 1
Packet Pg. 289
6. Authorize the City Manager or designee, to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney
approval.
BACKGROUND
The subject properties are located in the northeast quadrant of the Santa Clarita Valley in an area
currently lacking open space land. The properties contribute to establishing and fortifying a
green belt buffer on the northeastern edge of the Santa Clarita Valley. Approximately nine of the
total +/-169 acres fall outside the Open Space Preservation District Boundary. The acquisition
and ongoing costs associated with the +/- nine acres will be funded by the general fund, with the
balance funded through the Open Space Preservation District.
In July 2024, the property owner contacted the City of Santa Clarita (City) regarding selling the
vacant property. City staff evaluated the property and determined that acquiring the parcel would
positively increase the City's open space preservation effort on the northeast side of the valley
and contribute towards establishing a green belt from the north towards the east of the Santa
Clarita Valley.
In recent years, the City has paid an average of $5,747 per acre when acquiring open space land.
The Hartigan property costs $4,000 per acre, resulting in a total purchase cost of $676,000.
Additionally, closing costs, including escrow, title, appraisal fees, and maintenance, are
estimated at $26,046, bringing the total cost and appropriation to $702,046. Due to the property's
location outside the City boundary, an ongoing annual appropriation of $18,520 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 as determined by the City Council.
Page 2
Packet Pg. 290
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost associated with the property acquisition are estimated at $702,046. Upon City
Council approval of the recommended action, funds will be available in Open Space Expenditure
Accounts 3587501-520104, 3587501-518503 and 3587501-511101 and in General Fund
Expenditure Accounts 1007503-520104, 1007503-514101 and 1002100-518503.
ATTACHMENTS
Hartigan Site Map
Page 3
Packet Pg. 291
`' of N SANTA GLARITA ,
Parcels of Interest
Miles
0 0.5 1
s`e _
® Hartigan - Main Property of Interest
ProsProspective Open Space Street centerlines developed &maintained
p p p by City of Santa Clarita GIS
Skyline Ranch Open Space �'.�+t, s
The City of Santa Clarita does not warrantI"la
Open Space the accuracy of the data and assumes no
liability for any errors or omissions. - -
10.a
® Open Space Acquisition Boundary
Map prepared by: City of Santa Clarita
1==1 City Boundary GIS Division
Q:\PROJECTS\NS\241008s1\Parcel Map for Open Space
�" �• „ �;;r�' �, Angeles tio Nanal Forest;. : `
:.. `'
,iE..wcyec R 1:. \ y . _.� +r. .:_.a < t ...`�. '•: ., ytviii.-} C _(
K
DAVEN
N VASQUEZ- RD = Wit. 3. `t k.; �'�'fl a�l►
" CANYON
� �pv tf. � � = t,�- `i . �� g\E _ .� •.��:% .� �.-� ..► °�. �: - _� 4' III
+T I
%z
i - bkyiiNe Kalluh UPerl SPa(;e 1- Fillip
It �01!11111
n
zz I I >
Q
f4
d
U)
C
f4
T
V_
IB
d
t
2
a
Packet Pg. 292 1