TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Kelvin Parker, Community Development Director
DATE:April 29, 2025
SUBJECT: Transfer of City-Owned Open Space Property to Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency for Long-Term Ownership and
Management (APN 663-0-093-225)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize the transfer of open space parcel APN 663-0-093-225 to the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) for long-term management, subject to the procedural requirements of the California Surplus Land Act, and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the transfer.
2. Adopt a resolution authorizing the above actions and finding that the transfer of property to COSCA is exempt from the California Surplus Lands Act.
3. Find that the following actions are exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, 14 CCR sections 15061,15316, and 15325.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Financial impact is limited to the cost of staff time to prepare the necessary documents to process the transfer, which is included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
Acquisitions of open space properties have historically been completed by either COSCA, the City, or the Conejo Recreation and Parks District (CRPD). Open space has also been accepted as a donation, purchased from willing sellers, or acquired through dedications associated with development projects. The intent for most of these acquisitions is to transfer ownership to COSCA for long-term
Transfer of City-Owned Open Space Property to COSCA
April 29, 2025
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ownership and management as community open space. COSCA periodically reviews ownership of open space parcels held by the City and CRPD and recommends transfers of these properties to COSCA.
On December 19, 2023, the City purchased the property at 865 W. Hillcrest Drive for $610,000 for protection as open space. The proposed transfer will convey the property from the City to COSCA. A map of the transfer property can be found in Attachment #1.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The proposed transfer implements General Plan Open Space Policy #1.2 Transfer Ownership: “In order to preserve open space in perpetuity, coordinate with COSCA to transfer ownership of natural open space parcels owned by the City and CRPD to COSCA for consistent planning and management.” If City Council approves the transfer of this property, the COSCA Board of Directors will consider acceptance of the property and provide direction to staff to effectuate the transfer of the property.
The attached resolution (Attachment #2) documents the approval to transfer the property and includes a finding that transfer of the property is exempt from the California Surplus Land Act (SLA) under Gov. Code section 54221, subdivision (f)(1)(D), which exempts transfers of land between another local agency where the land will be used for the receiving agency’s qualified use.
Pursuant to Section 15378(b)(4) of the Guidelines for CEQA, the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 California Code of Regulations, §§15000, et seq., CEQA Guidelines), staff determined there is sufficient support for finding the transfer to COSCA of the open space property, is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, 14 CCR Sections 15061, 15316 and 15325. Specifically, the transfer to COSCA will preserve open space in its natural condition providing habitat for wildlife and native flora consistent with COSCA’s mission and management plans. Furthermore, as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activities in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA under what is referred to as the “common sense exemption.”
Prior to its purchase of the property, the City held an access easement through the property to maintain the City’s wastewater system. This access easement will be retained by the City through the property transfer and is shown on the Draft Transfer Deed (Attachment #3).
Transfer of City-Owned Open Space Property to COSCA
April 29, 2025
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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 – Property Location Map
Attachment #2 – Resolution
Attachment #3 – Draft Grant Deed
CDD:531-40\bs\H:\COMMON\COSCA\Real Property (531-40)\2-Completed Projects\City of Thousand Oaks Transfers\Zada - Arroyo Conejo\Council Actions\04292025 PROPERTY TRANSFER TO COSCA STAFF REPORT.docx