TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Kelvin Parker, Community Development Director
DATE:July 2, 2024
City SUBJECT: Open Space Parcel Purchase and Transfer to Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (Conejo Ridge Road,
North of Skyline Drive)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve budget appropriation and expenditure in the amount of $43,000 ($39,000 purchase price, plus closing costs not to exceed $4,000) for the purchase of one parcel (APN 676-0-070-070) from A/C #512-0000-311-1000 (Community Recreation Facilities and Open Space Acquisition and Maintenance Endowment Fund – Fund Balance) to A/C #512-4410-679-8100 (CI 1227, Capital – Open Space Acquisition).
2. Approve Purchase and Sale Agreement with Escrow Instructions for Assessor Parcel Number (APN) 676-0-070-070 between the City of Thousand Oaks and Hillsides, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, formerly known as Church Home for Children of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Los Angeles, authorize the City Attorney to finalize agreement details, and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute the Purchase and Sale Agreement and all other documents necessary to effectuate the purchase by the City of Thousand Oaks, including the authority to accept the deed, subject to resolution of any liens and encumbrances affecting said parcel.
3. Transfer the property to Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) for long-term management.
4. Find that this action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 14, Sections 15313 and 15325 of the CEQA Guidelines.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
Open Space Parcel Purchase and Transfer to COSCA
July 2, 2024
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FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$43,000 increase to FY 2024-25 Community Recreation Facilities and Open Space Acquisition Endowment Fund Budget. $43,000 increase to Adopted FY 2024-25 Community Recreation Facilities and Open Space Acquisition Endowment Fund (CROSAEF) in CI 1227 (COSCA Acquire Open Space) for purchase and closing costs. Current fund balance in CROSAEF is approximately $1.9 million.
BACKGROUND:
City Council has maintained a longstanding goal of completing a ring of open space around the City and preserving natural habitat in designated open space areas. Over time, COSCA has made key acquisitions of open space lands to advance this City Council goal when opportunities arise. The 66-acre Skyline Open Space is identified as a top priority area by COSCA for additional acquisitions. The proposed purchase would incrementally add to this open space area. Acquisition of this parcel protects 0.75 acres of natural coastal sage scrub habitat and mature oak trees and protects a prominent ridgeline within a Protected Ridgeline Overlay Zone. The lot is proximate to existing COSCA-owned open space to the south.
Purchase negotiations with property owners in the Skyline Open Space Area were authorized by City Council on April 23, 2002, for parcels identified on COSCA’s Priority List of Areas for Potential Acquisition as Open Space, on an as-needed basis. The subject parcel, APN 676-0-070-070, lies within the Skyline Open Space Priority Area. COSCA staff have reached a tentative agreement with the property owner to purchase the subject property in the Skyline area to preserve as open space.
The location of the parcel is shown in Attachments #1 and #2. Attachment #3 is an aerial photo of the property and the adjacent area. Attachment #4 contains the Purchase Agreement, any alterations to which will be reviewed and approved by the City Attorney’s office. The parcel is 0.75 acres in size and is zoned RE-13-PR (Rural Exclusive, 13,000 square foot minimum lot size, Protected Ridgeline Overlay Zone).
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The purchase price for this parcel was established by a narrative appraisal prepared by a licensed appraiser. Staff anticipates up to $4,000 in closing costs for this purchase. CROSAEF is proposed as the funding source for this acquisition.
Pursuant to Open Space Element Policy 1.2, which recommends coordination with Open Space Parcel Purchase and Transfer to COSCA
July 2, 2024
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COSCA to transfer ownership of natural open space parcels owned by the City and Conejo Recreation and Park District to COSCA for consistent planning and management, staff is requesting City Council authority to transfer the parcel, after purchase, from the City to COSCA for long-term stewardship.
This purchase of will serve to protect natural habitat and continue an ongoing effort to acquire open space parcels from willing sellers in order to complete the planned ring of open space around the City. In this case, the parcel will augment the Skyline Open Space.
Section 65402 of the California Government Code requires that real property acquisition or disposition be consistent with the General Plan as to location, purpose, and extent. The proposed acquisition was evaluated by the Planning Commission on July 1, 2024, and found to be consistent with the General Plan and documented by resolution.
LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act. City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $250 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financially interested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $250 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $250 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $250 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financially interested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $250 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made.
Open Space Parcel Purchase and Transfer to COSCA
July 2, 2024
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COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
E. Complete ring of open space around the City; Protect and preserve ridgelines, natural habitat, and designated open space areas.
PREPARED BY: Brian Stark, COSCA Administrator
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Regional Map
Attachment #2 – Detail Map
Attachment #3 – Air Photo
Attachment #4 – Draft Purchase Agreement
cdd:531-40\bs\H:\COMMON\COSCA\Real Property (531-40)\3-Prospect Properties\Episcopal Church - Skyline\Council Actions\For PrimeGov\20230509 SKYLINE OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION - STAFF REPORT.docx