HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - PRESERVATION OF 243+ ACRES (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item: /a
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
February 23, 2010
_V
Rick Gould
PRESERVATION OF 243 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY,
SOLEDAD'CANYON AREA, ASSESSOR'S PARCELS
3210-002-012, 3210-003-007,008, AND 009
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. City Council approve the purchase of 243 +/- acres of real property located in the Soledad
Canyon area within unincorporated Los Angeles County, Assessor's Parcels 3210-002-012
and 3210-003-007, 008, and 009.
2. Appropriate $722,595 from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to
Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5201.004. Appropriate
$20,000 from Open Space Preservation District Balance (Fund 358) to Improvements Other
than Buildings Account 12592-5201.008.
Accept a grant facilitated by Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority Grant in the
amount of $750,000; increase revenue account 259-4621.001 by $750,000; and appropriate
$750,000 to expenditure account 15501-5201.004.
4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney
approval.
BACKGROUND
As part of a multi -agency collaboration, the Soledad Canyon Conservation Area Protection Plan
(CAPP) acquisition project endeavors to preserve critical habitat in the upper Santa Clara
Watershed, and conserve lands considered important to maintaining wildlife connectivity. The
CAPP recommends establishing linkage from the Angeles National Forest south of Soledad
Canyon Road to the Angeles National Forest north of Sierra Highway. This linkage is important
to sustaining the viability of threatened and endangered species in the region.
A'PROVED
Riverside Land Conservancy (RLC) is a nonprofit land trust that works with landowners to
facilitate the transfer of land from willing private landowners to public ownership to ensure that
natural lands and wildlife habitat are preserved for future generations. RLC initiated contact with
several property owners within the Soledad Canyon Conservation Area. RLC successfully
negotiated with the property owners for four parcels totaling approximately 243 acres. The
combined appraised value of the four parcels is $1,452,595.
Through a partnership with Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority, a grant from the
Rivers and Mountains Conservancy will be utilized in the amount of $750,000. This leaves a
funding shortfall of $702,595 to purchase those parcels. There are additional acquisition costs
for escrow, title, and other related transaction fees including due diligence, consultants, and
attorney fees of approximately $20,000. An additional $20,000 for open space start up costs
including gates, fencing, and signs may be required. The total estimated costs associated with
the purchase of these properties is $1,492,595.
Staff has negotiated with RLC and has offered to meet the shortfall in funding using Open Space
Preservation District funds in exchange for fee title to the parcels. This transaction will meet the
goals of the CAPP by putting private land into protected public holdings. The subject parcels are
contiguous to existing City -owned property and will further compliment the City's eastern open
space greenbelt while meeting the goals of the Open Space Preservation District. This
acquisition has been found to be in compliance with Government Code Section 65402 regarding
General Plan consistency, the Open Space Preservation District, and the proposed One Valley
One Vision plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Article 19,
Categorical Exemptions, Section 15325: Transfer Ownership of Interest in Land to Preserve
Existing Natural Conditions and Historical Resources. Per Section 15325(f), the acquisition,
sale, or other transfer of land to preserve open space or lands for park purposes is categorically
exempt. Therefore, no additional review is required under California State Law.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Direct staff to cease purchase of the subject property.
2. Other actions as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total estimated cost associated with the purchase of this property is $1,492,595. Upon
approval of the recommended action by the City Council and receipt of the grant funds from the
Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, funds in the amount of $722,595 to pay for the property
acquisition and all related transaction fees will be available in the Open Space Preservation
District Account 12592-5201.004 and $20,000 for open space start-up costs will be available in
Account 12595-5201.008.
IN
ATTACHMENTS
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