The Santa Clarita City Council will consider purchasing 176 acres of property that had been slated for development in San Francisquito Canyon, just north of the Tesoro del Valle community and north of the city border, to be preserved as open space instead.
Council members will vote Tuesday on using $1.55 million in funds from the city’s Open Space Preservation District Fund to buy the land.
The price includes the property purchase price of $1.5 million and $25,000 for title, escrow, taxes and due diligence costs, plus $30,000 for gates, fencing and signage.
The acreage, Los Angeles County Assessor’s Parcel No. 3244-029-020, in unincorporated L.A. County, is the former Sun Cal Companies housing development approved by the county in 2008, but sent back to the Regional Planning Commission in January 2015 for an update of plans for residential water service.
The property adjoins the northeastern tip of the Tesoro del Valle community in San Francisquito Canyon and the ranch property homesteaded in 1916 by silent screen star Harry Carey. The proposed Sun Cal development (see map below) would have encroached on historical and cultural resources including the Ruiz Cemetery.
Under state law, development projects must be able to prove a water supply. The Newhall County Water District, which serves the neighboring 1,077-home Tesoro community, had previously agreed to provide water for the proposed Sun Cal housing tract.
However, water service ultimately could not be provided, so the acreage eventually became available for purchase from Tesorito, LLC, which owns the property.
“We became aware of the property a few years ago when we tried to purchase the property at a bankruptcy auction and it has been on our radar ever since,” said Carrie Luhan, public information officer for the city of Santa Clarita.
City Council members discussed purchasing the property in closed session on September 12. Subsequent negotiations between city officials and Tesorito representatives resulted in the purchase price to be considered Tuesday night.
The broker was Michael Faris of California Division of Land Advisors Organization in Irvine, Luhan said.
Council members will also consider appropriating $40,000 to cover property taxes on the acreage for 2017 and 2018, and another $10,000 for the payment of annual property taxes.
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19 Comments
Great news! Let’s keep it the way it is.
Let’s hope it stays this way.
Isn’t endless population growth swell?
Great idea! Love this!
I’m curious why the City need $10,000 per year for property taxes. I thought cities didn’t pay taxes on their own property.
Will this become open space available for hiking?
apparently suncal’s past-due tax liability needs to be paid … cites don’t pay taxes on their own property if it’s in their own city; this is not. (I don’t immediately know if cities pay taxes on property they own outside their own jurisdiction – Leon)
Good move.
Yes yes yes! Tesoro tract added way too many houses. We need this space open!
Glad to hear would like to see less housing more saved space. It’s already too dang crazy crowded here
Keep it the way it is.
yes please!!!!!
yes please!!!!!
Good news for fires
Wonderful news!!
Please
Oh dang i would like to see more homes to be built near Tesoro
Great news! A few years ago we liked to bicycle Franciscuito Canyon Road but then were harassed by two motorists. Thankfully a passing Sheriff vehicle scared them away. City presence in the area would be good. I also have had the honor of visiting Ruiz Cemetery and hope it is preserved always. Would enjoy hiking in this proposed open space area.
Please preserve it!
Thank you council members! What great news!