HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15-2012 c6 authorize purhcase slo cemetrycounci l
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C I T Y O F S A N .L U I S O B I S P O
FROM :
Michael Codron, Assistant City Manage r
Prepared by :
Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT : AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A ONE-HALF ACRE PROPERTY A T
0 1/2 HIGUERA STREET FROM SAN LUIS CEMETERY ASSOCIATIO N
RECOMMENDATIO N
Approve a resolution authorizing staff to finalize negotiations and purchase one-half acre of lan d
at the western end of the South Hills from the San Luis Cemetery Association for two thousan d
five hundred dollars ($2,500 .00), and authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary documents t o
complete the transaction .
DISCUSSIO N
This property comprises a small but quite visible portion of the South Hills, a ridge of serpentin e
hills that extend from South Higuera Street on the west to Broad Street on the east .
Approximately 168 acres of this ridge is currently owned or controlled by the City of San Lui s
Obispo, which is referred to as the South Hills Natural Reserve (SHNR). This parcel was onc e
used to hold two large water tanks, to which water was pumped for gravity flow for irrigation at
the cemeteries on Higuera Street below .
Over the years the cemeteries changed their irrigation practices and the tanks were eventuall y
abandoned and removed . The parcel is completely surrounded by the Foster-Spangler property ,
on which the City holds a conservation easement . Following acquisition of that conservatio n
easement, City staff was approached by staff at the San Luis Cemetery about possible sale o f
their property as part of a discussion about a number of matters of mutual interest .
While following the City's Real Property Acquisition policies, the project was treated as mino r
because of the small potential cost involved, and a discussion with local appraisal expert Tod d
Murphy demonstrated that the proposed purchase price is consistent with comparable sales for a
land parcel of this size . As an inholding, the property holds the potential to be used in a manne r
incompatible with surrounding open space, and the purchase of the property would foreve r
remove this possibility .
The project will be reviewed for consistency with the City of San Luis Obispo's General Plan b y
the Planning Commission on May 9, 2012, and their finding will be reported to the Council prior
to the Council meeting of May 15, 2012 .
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this transaction will come from the Open Space CIP, which is a Measure Y funde d
account. Due to its small cost, this transaction will not have a significant fiscal impact . It may
C6-1
Meeting Date
5/15/1 2
Item Number C6
Council Agenda Report — Donation of Conservation Easemen t
Page 2
ultimately be crossed by a hiking trail, but most of the length of any such trail would be on th e
adjacent Foster-Spangler property on which the City holds a conservation easement which amon g
other things permits the City to construct and maintain such trails .
ATTACHMENT S
1.Location Map
2.Letter of Acceptance from San Luis Cemetery Association
3.Resolution
C6-2
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISP O
GREENBELT PROTECTION P ROGRA M
SAN LUIS CEMETERY PROPERTYscale 1" = 600 ` approx.
ATTACHMENT "I
San Cuts Cemeter y
2 Higuer a
San Luis Obispo, CA 9340 1
805 .543 .7053
Fax 805 .545 .865 3
sanl uiscemet ery@ tem . ne t
April 9 . 201 2
City of San Luis Obisp o
990 Palm Stree t
San Luis Obispo . CA 9340 1
Attn :
Neil Havlik, Ph D
RE :
PURCHASE OF CEMETERY OWNED HLLSIDE PROPERT Y
Dear Dr. Havlik and City Council Members :
In response to your letter of March 2 . 2012, offering to purchase the small parcel o f
property owned by San Luis Cemetery, a California Corporation . (San Luis Obisp o
County Assessors' parcel 053-021-028), totaling one-half acre in size . for two thousan d
five hundred dollars ($2 .500 .00) in cash . please be advised the Board of Directors of th e
Corporation is willing to do so .
We are pleased to be a part of the City of San Luis Obispo's open space conservatio n
program .
Leland K . Smith
CFO, San Luis Cemetery
Mausoleum and Memorial Garden s
Sincerely,
C6-4
RESOLUTION NO. (2012 Series )
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISP O
AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF A ONE-HALF ACRE PARCEL IN THE CITY OF SA N
LUIS OBISPO FROM THE SAN LUIS CEMETERY ASSOCIATIO N
WHEREAS,the City of San Luis Obispo is a chartered municipal corporation of th e
State of California that is authorized by law to purchase real property ; and
WHEREAS,after several meetings on the matter, the San Luis Cemetery Association on
April 9, 2012 indicated a desire to enter into an agreement for the sale to the City of certain rea l
property in the City of San Luis Obispo described as San Luis Obispo County Assessor's Parce l
Number 053-021-028 and commonly known as 0'/2 South Higuera Street ; and
WHEREAS,the Property possesses high natural resource values including wildlife an d
botanical resources, and scenic open space values (the "Conservation Values") of great
importance to the people of the City of San Luis Obispo, and the people of the State o f
California ; an d
WHEREAS,the City of San Luis Obispo intends that the conservation values of th e
Property shall be preserved and maintained forever by the continuation of currently existing lan d
use patterns ;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo hereby :
1.Authorizes and directs the Mayor to undertake all steps necessary to complete th e
purchase of said Real Property ; and
2.Authorizes the City Attorney to approve any non-substantive changes in language t o
the various documents required to effectuate this action by the City Council .
Upon motion of , seconded by
and on the following vote :
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT :
The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 2012 .
Mayor Jan Marx
ATTEST :
Sheryll Schroeder, Interim City Cler k
APPROVED AS TO FORM :
is/J .Christine Dietrick
J . Christine Dietrick, City Attorney
R
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