HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-01 - AGENDA REPORTS - OSPD UPDATE (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM --
TO: Mayor Weste and Councilmembers
FROM: Ken Pulskamp, City Manager
DATE: June 1, 2010
SUBJECT: OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DISTRICT UPDATE
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council obtain information regarding the status of various acquisition activities of the Open
Space Preservation District.
BACKGROUND
The City Council's goal to purchase open space to create a "greenbelt" around Santa Clarita and
the formation of the Open Space Preservation District (OSPD), has generated a greater regional
interest in land acquisition activities. Analysis of a conceptual greenbelt included the.creation of
detailed maps targeting wildlife corridors and linkages, to existing protected open space. Maps
dividing the Santa Clarita Valley into four quadrants have focused our efforts for open space
acquisition. Briefly, the four quadrants include:
North Eastern Quadrant — Part of the Conservation Area Protection Plan (CAPP) linking the
Angeles National Forest, south of Soledad Canyon Road, to the forest north of Sierra Highway.
South Eastern Quadrant — Includes the Newhall Pass area and the need for protection of freeway
undercrossing and connections from Whitney Canyon, Placerita Canyon, and Elsmere Canyon
into Towsley Canyon open space.
South Western Quadrant — Making connection to the Newhall Ranch High County and Santa
Clara River west of the Golden State Freeway.
North Western Quadrant — Extension of the protected lands currently recognized in Angeles
National Forest to include portions of Bouquet Canyon and Vasquez Canyon.
Two acquisitions were completed in 2009. First, 140 acres in Placerita Canyon, the East Walker
Ranch parcels, and 10 acres in Quigley Canyon. Currently, there are 243 acres in Soledad
Canyon in escrow. With a $150,000 trails grant, the East Walker Ranch property trails will be
integrated with the Angeles National Forest and Golden Valley Ranch open space.
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DISTRICT UPDATE
June 1, 2010
Page 2
Staff has been monitoring real estate market trends and has established ongoing communication
with target area landowners and local realtors. During 2008-09, inquiry letters were sent to over
40 owners representing almost 2,200 acres. Owners responded to inquiries at an encouraging
rate of 50 percent, but with the budgetary impacts of the financial crisis of 2008-09, meetings
with property owners were only marginally productive as owners expressed resistance to sell in a
declining market except for values not reflective of today's economic times. Staff believes many
property owners are willing to hold properties until the market rebounds, unless the price satisfies
perceived value.
The City continues to pursue sale opportunities and in anticipation of the ongoing struggle of the
lack of leveraging funds and fellow agencies with partnering resources, we may suggest more
direct purchases to the City Council. Expecting that the bottom of the real estate market was
near, negotiations were begun with several target properties, but no concrete agreements have
been reached. Recent appraisals of open space parcels in the valley indicate a range in values
from $5,000 to $20,000 per acre depending on specific features of the property.
Staff continues to incorporate options other than all-cash purchases with property owners.
Educating property owners about the merits of the OSPD, its goals and long-term benefits of
open space preservation has been an ongoing effort and considered. critical for the
implementation of the greenbelt. Leveraging of the available OSPD resources with state funds is
extremely limited at this time, and staff continues to discuss purchasing strategies with property
owners that may include cooperation with tax exchanges, donations, life estates, and other
utilizations of partial interests that may be implemented to achieve program goals.
In early 2010, a comprehensive Open Space Management Plan was created for the OSPD.
Individual Site Area Plans individual master plans may be implemented to reflect the future
impacts and most suitable improvements for each location. The draft is currently in review and
will be presented to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission for comment
on June 3. Costs for future monitoring, security patrols, and routine maintenance will have an
impact on future budgets as the numbers of acres in the OSPD increases over time. ,
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
No other alternative action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the Study Session.
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