1 STAFF REPORT
PARKS AND
RECREATION
DATE: October 1, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Marisa Garcia, Park, Recreation, and Community Services Director Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director
BY: Megan Wilke, Administrative Analyst II
Kimberly Montes, Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Acceptance of a Donation to the City of Burbank for Four Parcels of Land (Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 5618-011-005, 5618-011-010, 5618-001-011, and 5618- 001-012) from The Third Amendment to and Complete Restatement of the Melvin Hoffman Revocable Living Trust Dated November 3, 2017
RECOMMENDATION
Accept a donation to the City of Burbank (City) of four parcels of land (Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 5618-011-005, 5618-011-010, 5618-001-011,and 5618-001-012) from The Third Amendment to and Complete Restatement of the Melvin Hoffman Revocable Living Trust Dated November 3, 2017, and authorize the City Manager or designee to take the necessary action to effectuate the donation transfer.
BACKGROUND
The Park, Recreation, and Community Services Department (Department) oversees a diverse array of more than 42 facilities and amenities . Adjacent to the City's extensive recreational infrastructure lies the 244- acre Verdugo Mountains Open Space Preserve (Preserve), nestled in the north- facing flank of the Verdugo Mountains. The Preserve is part of a unique urban mountain range spanning 14-square miles of habitat. It serves as a vital connection to the Angeles National Forest via the Big Tujunga Wash. Notably, the Preserve forms part of a contiguous 4 ,000-acre expanse of open space, incorporating parklands owned by the City, City of Glendale, City of Los Angeles, California State Parks, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. With its prominent ridgelines visible from the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor, the 210 Freeway, and the Angeles National Forest, the Preserve offers striking vistas and an extensive network of trails catering to the recreational needs of over one million nearby residents.
2 Currently, the City has the opportunity to expand its open space area with a generous donation. The acceptance of this land donation is consistent with the Burbank 2035 General Plan Open Space and Conservation Element Goal No. 2 (Parks, Open Space, and Recreational Facilities) and Policy 2.1, which promotes the City’s identification of areas that create new opportunities to expand the City’s open space areas.
DISCUSSION
On March 28, 2024, a representative of The Third Amendment to and Complete Restatement of the Melvin Hoffman Revocable Living Trust Dated November 3, 2017 (Donor) contacted the City , stating the Donor owned four parcels of land (Property), totaling approximately 16 acres, located within City boundaries and adjacent to the Verdugo Mountains Open Space Preserve (Attachment 1). The Donor is requesting to donate the Property to the City. The estimated value of all parcels is $351,656. Due to the parcels’ location in a designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) and their proximity to residential areas , the Burbank Fire Department requires annual brush clearance and vegetation management be performed on this property in compliance with California Government Code § 51182 and Burbank Municipal Code Section 9-1-9- 304.1.2.2. This maintenance is estimated to cost $30,000 per year.
Staff conducted a preliminary title search on the Property with APNs 5618-011-005, 5618- 011-010, 5618- 001-011, and 5618- 001-012 (Attachment 2). The report s showed that each parcel of land had liens for back-owed taxes, a mortgage, and had pending litigation associated with the Property. Furthermore, each parcel has existing utility easements.
The Donor has since provided updated preliminary title reports for each parcel, confirming that all previous liens, taxes, and litigation have been resolved from title.
The Donation and Indemnity Agreement detailing the terms of the donation is included as Attachment 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval to accept this donation has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
Furthermore, this donation consists of the acquisition of lands for fish and wildlife conservation purposes including (a) preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, (b) establishing ecological reserves under Fish and Game Code Section 1580, and (c) preserving access to public lands and waters wher e the purpose of the acquisition is to preserve the land in its natural condition, which is categorically exempt under (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15313.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will incur a title fee roughly estimated at $250 for the transfer and recordation of title to the parcels (Attachment 4). Additionally, the annual brush clearance maintenance, estimated at $30,000, will be included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Budget for mid- year adjustments. Thereafter, staff will request a recurring $ 30,000 allocation during the FY 2025-26 Budget Process. This funding will ensure that the p arcels are properly
3 maintained throughout the year, addressing necessary upkeep, and preventing potential issues from neglect (Attachment 5). As a government owned property, it will be exempt from property tax.
CONCLUSION
Staff requests Council formally accept the donation of four (4) parcels of land identified under APNs 5618-011-005, 5618- 011-010, 5618- 001-011, and 5618- 001-012 that will expand the City’s current open space. The land donation will expand the City’s open space areas consistent with the Burbank2035 General Plan Open Space and Conservation Element.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Parcel Map
Attachment 2 – Preliminary Title Reports
Attachment 3 – Draft Donation and Indemnity Agreement
Attachment 4 – Draft Proposed Grant Deed
Attachment 5 – Annual Brush Maintenance Photos