Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: VANIAH DE ROJAS, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2023
SUBJECT: ESTABLISHMENT OF A RANCHO SOUTH CAMPUS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
AD HOC COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will discuss the formation of an ad hoc committee, which would consist of two councilmembers to discuss the future development of the Rancho South Campus.
Rancho South Campus is part of the Rancho Los Amigos property owned by Los Angeles County. Since the 1980s, there is approximately 55 aces of vacant land within the Rancho South Campus site, which could potentially be developed.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Discuss forming a two member Ad Hoc Committee to discuss and review development opportunities of the Rancho South Campus.
BACKGROUND
The Rancho Los Amigos South Campus has a long history of agricultural, medical - related, and social support uses. In 1888, the Los Angeles County Poor Farm opened on site in response to requirements from the State of California that counties deal locally with the issue of how-to best care for their sick and poor. The area was primarily agricultural in nature and consisted of facilities that provided work, housing, and medical care for those that were poor or needy. Additional structures, staff, and inmates were added until the early 20th century.
An emphasis on regional-serving medical facilities became the primary use of the property through the development of Rancho Los Amigos and the Establishment of the Long-Term Care Facility in 1933. By the late 1930s, chronically ill children were the primary occupants of the hospital and agricultural uses declined due to the inability to use patients for labor purposes. Post-World War II, the patient population at Ranch Los Amigos had swelled to over 5,500, up f rom 600 patients. In the 1950s, consolidation of many of the administrative and primary hospital uses to the present -day nationally recognized Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center north of Imperial Highway signaled the phasing out of many of the facilities in the southern portion of the campus.
APPROVED BY
CITY MANAGER
ESTABLISH A RANCHO SOUTH CAMPUS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AD HOC COMMITTEE OCTOBER 24, 2023
PAGE 2
2 Today, Rancho South Campus consists of the Downey Courthouse, Los Angeles County Library Headquarters, Los Angeles County Administrative and Programming buildings, warehouses and businesses, and approximately 55 acres of vacant land and dilapidated buildings.
In June 2021 the City of Downey worked closely with the County of Los Angeles and METRO, and developed the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Specific Plan. The goal of the Specific Plan is to encourage and promote economic development and revitalization to enhance the City's attractiveness to the local and regional marketplace.
This is particularly important with the future development of the West Santa Ana Light Rail Station at the site.
At the October 10, 2023 City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to bring an agenda item at the next meeting for the formation of a Rancho South Campus Future Development Ad Hoc Committee.
ANALYSIS
Rancho South Campus Future Development Ad Hoc Committee will discuss the future development of Rancho South Campus including possible programming at the site for the County’s consideration. Tonight, the City Council will discuss the potential for forming the Ad Hoc Committee consisting of two members of the City Council.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Responsibility
Economic Vibrancy
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact