Stan Liu Chia Yu Teng Andrew Chou Ruth M. Low Steve Tye Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member At-Large District 4 District 3 At-Large District 1
City of Diamond Bar | 21810 Copley Drive Diamond Bar CA 91765-4178 www.DiamondBarCA.gov | (909) 839-7000
February 20, 2024
County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector
225 North Hill Street, Room 130
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Subject: Objection to Online Auction of Property at 22601 Sunset Crossing Road, Diamond Bar CA 91765-0015
Dear County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector, The City of Diamond Bar formally objects to the online auction of the property located at 22601 Sunset Crossing Road, Diamond Bar CA 91765-0015 (APN 8718-005-005). We understand that this property is scheduled for auction and wish to express our strong opposition to proceeding with the sale of the property.
The property in question, which has been used as recreational space by a youth baseball program since 1969, holds significant value for public purposes. The City is the sole owner of an adjacent 2.83 acre parcel purchased with the intent to construct a public park, and the acquisition of the property at 22601 Sunset Crossing Road offers the City the unique opportunity to create a much larger public park/recreational facility in a neighborhood that has been historically underserved when it comes to park space.
In addition, the 1982 deed of the property to the Diamond Bar Little League, Inc., recorded as Document No. 82-1238134 in the office of the Los Angeles County Recorder on December 13, 1982, restricts the subject property to be used for the benefit of the people of the community of Diamond Bar and further provides that if Diamond Bar Little League or successor in interest ceases to exist or function for the purposes it was created, then the property shall be transferred to the YMCA, or the City of Diamond Bar if the YMCA does not own the adjacent Parcel 2. The City of Diamond Bar now owns the adjacent Parcel 2. This is a restriction of record that would not be cleared in the tax deed to a private party pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code § 3712(d), which will cause the tax deed title to have a cloud that substantially decreased the value of the property.
The City of Diamond Bar’s intention in objecting to the sale of the property at auction is to preserve its interest as beneficiary of the recorded deed restriction and acquire the property through a Chapter 8 Agreement Sale to develop a public park/recreational facility with access to athletic fields for local youth and adult non-profit organizations. We believe that the property's integration into the City's infrastructure and planning will contribute positively to community’s Strategic Plan and Parks Master Plan, which aim to enhance the quality of life for our residents.
Stan Liu Chia Yu Teng Andrew Chou Ruth M. Low Steve Tye Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member At-Large District 4 District 3 At-Large District 1
City of Diamond Bar | 21810 Copley Drive Diamond Bar CA 91765-4178 www.DiamondBarCA.gov | (909) 839-7000
We kindly request that you consider our opposition and take into account the potential benefits of allowing the City to acquire and utilize the property in line with public interests.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your favorable response.
Sincerely,
Dan Fox
City Manager