UPDATES ON NEW PARKS AND DEVELOPMENT THREATS FROM THE AGENDAS OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY AND THE MOUNTAINS RECREATION AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

Friday, March 7, 2025

SMMC-MRCA Feb. 2025

Proposed Hilltops Park in East L.A.

EAST L.A.: establishment of a Northeast Los Angeles Hilltops State Park.
SMMC 2-24-25 Item 12(h) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55108/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20supporting%20establis.pdf?handle=5C72159C79A44E269BAC26C0B83359E1


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CALABASAS: comment letter to Los Angeles County on Project No. 2019-000010-(3) for Minor Coastal Development permit for 4 home Parcel Map 10857, Mulholland Highway, Cold Creek watershed. SMMC 2-24-25 Item 11(b) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55046/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20comme.pdf?handle=ACF52F398AC54436A3489401FC56A4F0

GRIFFITH PARK: acceptance of APNs 5580-018-022 and 023 (approximately 0.25 acres total), Griffith Park area, City of Los Angeles. MRCA 2-5-25 Item VI(c) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/143137/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20the%20acc.pdf?handle=7B737F3637BC46B2B67DD816D23A1A15

NORTH CHATSWORTH: accepting both fee simple and easement interests within Tract Nos. 53138-01, 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06 including Parcel Map Nos. 84226 and 73886, and (2) partial or total termination of a Memorandum of Agreement with Forestar Chatsworth LLC over all said properties, Deer Lake Highlands, unincorporated Chatsworth area. MRCA 2-5-25 Item VII(f) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/143141/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing_%20(1)%20ac.pdf?handle=03ADBCA740B045CC8F3059751A0E9756

SANTA CLARITA: agreement with New Urban West: to (1) accept approximately 467 acres of Santa Susana Mountains offsite open space in fee simple and a 144-acre conservation easement associated with Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 83301; and (2) accept funding sources for permanent maintenance and/or monitoring of both said land interests, Lyons Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. MRCA 2-5-25 Item VII(g) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/143140/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20conditionally%20autho.pdf?handle=57C1CAAA6739431E859A192F42A82688

CASTAIC: award of contract to SC Wildlands to assist the coordination of the Interstate 5 (Sierra Madre-Castaic) Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure Assessment & Implementation Plan. MRCA 2-13-25 Item V(b) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/143354/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20conti.pdf?handle=82BAC5150280432CAC668C879C5E45E0

ORANGE COUNTY: comment letter to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District regarding the proposed sale of their 11.36 acres of surplus land located at APNs: 114-170-63, 114-170-64, and 114-170-51, City of Newport Beach. MRCA 2-5-25 Item VII(k) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/143244/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20comme.pdf?handle=3A1FE3312EEB4763A607E3568487E634

Monday, January 27, 2025

SMMC-MRCA January 2025

comment letter to Los Angeles County on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Trails at Lyons Canyon project, Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 83301, SCH No. 2022060346, Santa Susana Mountains, unincorporated Los Angeles County.
SMMC 1-27-25 Item 12(b) Staff Report

acquisition of Poe Ranch, APNs 2826-012-014, 015, 018, 019, and 2826-015-036, in Los Angeles County and APNs 615-0-100-045, 055, 065, 075, and 085 in Ventura County, and authorizing future acceptance of said Los Angeles County parcels, Santa Susana Mountains. MRCA 1-17-25 Item VI(d) Staff Report

agreement with the Las Virgenes – Triunfo Joint Powers Authority including granting temporary and permanent encroachment permits and potential utility easements within Triunfo Canyon Park (APNs 2057-015-902 and 2059-025-907), City of Westlake Village. MRCA: 1-17-25 Item VI(e) Staff Report

acceptance of APNs 3210-014-279, 280, and 281, approximately 77 acres in Bee Canyon from the City of Santa Clarita, contingent upon funding and timing assurances, unincorporated Los Angeles County. MRCA  1-17-25 Item VII(c) Staff Report

Monday, December 23, 2024

SMMC-MRCA December 2024

End Of The Year Deals: "The Edge" to sell


(including MRCA meetings on 12/11  and 12/16, and SMMC on 12/9)

MALIBU 266 ACRES: reallocation of reserve funds towards the purchase price of Sweetwater and Primrose properties (APNs 4453-005-013, 4453-005-018, 4453-005-111, 4453-005-114, 4453-005-117, 4453-005-118, 4459-004-001, 4459-004-004, 4459-005-001, 4459-005-003, and 4459-005-013) in Malibu and unincorporated Los Angeles County. MRCA 12-11-24 Item VII(h) Staff Report
comprising approximately 266.39 acres in Malibu and unincorporated Los Angeles County. MRCA 
12-11-24 Item VII(i) Staff Report

background: https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/entertainment/the-edge-denied-malibu-home/index.html



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EAST LA: approving the plans and specifications for the Elephant Hill Open Space Trail project, City of Los Angeles. MRCA 12-11-24 Item VII(a) Staff Report

Interstate 5 (Sierra Madre-Castaic) Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure Assessment & Implementation Plan, unincorporated Los Angeles County. MRCA  12-11-24 Item VII(d) Staff Report
12-11-24 Item VII(e) Staff Report   12-11-24 Item VII(f) Staff Report

EAST SF VALLEY: acquire the approximately 33-acre Mountain Oaks property in the Verdugo Mountains, City of Glendale. MRCA 12-11-24 Item VII(g) Staff Report

LA RIVER/BURBANK: acceptance of APN 2443-004-018 (0.165 Acre) and APN 2443-004-019 (0.741 Acre) for a combined total of 0.91 acre in Burbank. MRCA 12-11-24 Item VII(j) Staff Report

Monday, November 18, 2024

SMMC-MRCA Oct-Nov 2024

Late 2024 L.A./Ventura Mountain Land Deals

DEVELOPMENTS IN PINK SHADING

From agendas for 10/2 + 21, and 11/06, 2024


SIMI/MOORPARK GREENBELT:

SIMI VALLEY 7.7 ACRES: comment letter to the City of Simi Valley for the proposed Simi Pak Industrial Project (CUP-S-2023-0004) in the Alamos Canyon inter-mountain range habitat linkage, Simi Valley.
SMMC 10-21-24 Item 10(d) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/54428/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20comme.pdf?handle=416C99FFEEC14D2395E076E0A4E8CAD9


SANTA CLARA RIVER VALLEY GREENBELT:

SANTA CLARITA: comment letter to the County of Los Angeles on 548 acres, previously- approved 492 unit Spring Canyon Subdivision Project (Project No. 96-044-(5), Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 48086 and Environmental Assessment No. RPPL2018004166), unincorporated Los Angeles County.
SMMC 10-21-24 Item 10(e) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/54430/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20comme.pdf?handle=1BD04FFD6E1F4952935F49389040C7C8
https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/1997031043/3

SOLEDAD CANYON: comment letter to the County of Los Angeles supporting denial of appeal of Condition No. 23 for the Conditional Use Permit No. RPPL2019001251 and continued operation of Cali Lake RV Resort (Project No. 2019-000706-(5)) adjacent to the Angeles National Forest, in Soledad Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County.
SMMC 10-21-24 Item 10(f) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/54436/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20comme.pdf?handle=88B5A4C2D48740D39347139FFDEBF1A1

NORTHWEST L.A. COUNTY: acceptance of donation of approximately 120 acres in San Martinez Canyon and approximately 28 acres near Oat Mountain, unincorporated Los Angeles County.
MRCA 11-6-24 Item VI(h) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/142234/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20accepta.pdf?handle=5E22B92088EC4EEDB3C72FAAB8893BB5


EAST L.A. HILLS:

CHINO HILLS: corrective deed to GM Gabrych Family LP and Empire Communities LLC, consistent with Resolution No. 21-25 over purchase of 320 acres.
MRCA 10-2-24 Item VI(c) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/141098/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20corre.pdf?handle=C7A053D0E1B9492D99D336803D3197D3

MONTECITO HEIGHTS 0.6 ACRE: grant application to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for Measure A funds to acquire approximately 0.6 acres, APNs 5303-014-043 and 044 in Montecito Heights, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 10-2-24 Item VII(e) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/141019/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20grant.pdf?handle=EAB3D41A66754AD28D439CA0E13BB2E9


(editor's note:  this map shows an unusual geologic feature in the East L.A. area, which is a collection of uplifted hilltops that were cut and separated by rivers and creeks, known as a Thrust Fault. These separating creekbeds have mostly been developed. So the East L.A. Hilltops are islands of habitat in an urban sea. This collection of hilltop habitats could reconnect the Santa Monica, Verdugo and San Gabriel mountains with open spaces in Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties.)


SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

GRIFFITH PARK 0.1 acre: acceptance of APN 5580-018-024 on Carolus Drive, adjacent to Griffith Park, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 11-6-24 Item VI(i) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/142261/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20the%20acc.pdf?handle=5858B395B262427CA0D3881BFF319FBD

HOLLYWOOD HILLS 0.1 acre, acquire APN 5567-029-006 in Laurel Canyon, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 10-2-24 Item VII(d) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/141023/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20enterin.pdf?handle=5F928D13C56B45998BB415F3F4B02E6F

WEST MALIBU 46 acres north of "Party Rock" at Circle Ranch: acceptance of approximately 46 acres composed of APNs 694-0-181-170,180,190, 200, 220 and 230 and 694-0-210-655 in the Carlisle Canyon watershed, unincorporated Ventura County.
MRCA 11-6-24 Item VII(c) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/142263/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20the%20acc.pdf?handle=CD6D62F82D1B496993BD91BDDAEAA692

MALIBU 27 acres: acceptance of APN 4465-005-044 (approximately 27.5-acres), Ramirez Canyon, Unincorporated Los Angeles County.
MRCA 10-2-24 Item VI(f) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/141024/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20donatio.pdf?handle=22794B5823EA4540BC371870B71382F5

Saturday, September 7, 2024

SMMC-MRCA AUGUST, EARLY SEPTEMBER 2024

Late Summer L.A. Mountain Park Deals

covering park agency meetings by the MRCA: 8/7, 8/19,  9/4, 9/13, and SMMC:  9/16, 


NORTH L.A COUNTY: 

SOLEDAD CANYON 60 acres:
three sisters rocks 60 acres, proposed purchase by Tataviam Land Conservancy (TLC)
APNs 3209-006-015 , 2014 and 2024 assessed values: $33,450/$42,467
and 3209-007-001, valued at $67,650, later $85,917
PROPOSAL: granting access easements over existing dirt roads to the Tataviam Land Conservancy over multiple Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority parcels in the Agua Dulce and Soledad Canyon watersheds located between Agua Dulce Canyon Road and APNs 3209-006-015 and 3209-007-001 know as the Three Sisters, unincorporated Los Angeles County. 
MRCA 8-7-24 Item VII(h) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/139425/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20grantin.pdf?handle=92F83D9A138B40229735858CC00DF508

ABOUT THE BUYER: tataviam-nsn.us
TLC received 500 acre donation from Land Veritas 1/8/2024

Land Veritas, based in Sausalito, owns 2 mitigation banks in Calif,
300 acres Soquel canyon in Chino Hills
and 4236 acre Petersen Ranch in the Leona Valley and Elizabeth lake area. (only mitigation bank in LA County. See wra-ca.com )

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SOUTH OF GORMAN/RIDGE ROUTE 45 acres: proposed development on an important 5 freeway underpass that functions as a wildlife crossing. Comment letter to the County of Los Angeles on the proposed Smokey Bear Road Commercial Development Project (PRJ2020-000699) in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
MRCA 8-7-24 Item VI(d) Staff Report. On a 44.7 acre site, apn: N 3250-020-007

"Smokey Bear Road is the only undercross in the approximate 7.2-mile stretch of I-5”, in the 45 mile 5- freeway corridor between the Grapevine and Castaic.
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/139438/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20comme.pdf?handle=74C1A8DF2F7A4C1A840885ACDEDF942F

“Thus, MRCA recommends the Project proponent prepare alternative plans that buffer high-intensity development at least 500 feet from the property’s Smokey Bear Road and existing I-5 frontage road, Copco Avenue, as shown on the attached map. While this highintensity development would still severely impact wildlife connectivity across I-5 using Smokey Bear Road with additional vehicle traffic, noise and light pollution, trash, and reduced air quality, moving the proposed development north and away from Smokey Bear Road will reduce some of the worst impacts and provide critical line-of-sight views for wildlife to travel under I-5 and reduce the threat to wildlife and motorists from high-speed collisions on I-5. “

comment letter to the County of Los Angeles for the proposed Smokey Bear Road Commercial Development Project (PRJ2020-000699) to develop a wildlife corridor dispersal/collector property adjacent to the Smokey Bear Road undercross of Interstate 5 in unincorporated Los Angeles County. SMMC 9/16/2024
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/54267/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20comme.pdf?handle=BC33A1345782439AA24C5D7F32704D41

http://www.scwildlands.org/reports/scmlregionalreport.pdf
--The top priority for a crossing structure on I-5 is where Grapevine Creek crosses I-5 just south of Ft. Tejon State Park and Tejon Ranch Headquarters. The least cost corridors for puma, mule deer, and western gray squirrel cross the freeway here, and appropriate habitats occur for numerous other species. Grapevine Creek now crosses I-5 in a small box culvert, which should be replaced with a large bridged undercrossing. To maximize the utility of Grapevine Creek as a movement area, we recommend removal of several buildings of the Tejon Ranch Headquarters (two administrative buildings, about a dozen homes, and an old school), and the associated mile of Lebec Road. The area vacated by these buildings should be restored to native vegetation.
--Another priority area for improved crossing structures along I-5 is a 3-mile stretch south of the village of Gorman and north of the SR138 interchange. The least cost path of the Tehachapi pocket mouse crosses I-5 here, and suitable habitat occurs for several other focal species. The vegetation on the steep slopes appears to have been overgrazed and now lacks woody cover except in drainage bottoms; restoration or cessation of grazing domestic livestock would be needed. Four box culverts about 5 feet tall and wide are spaced one-half to 1 mile apart, and suggest locations for bridged undercrossings. Each culvert opens directly into Hungry Valley State Park on the west, and into Gorman Valley on the east. Alternatively, a vegetated land bridge may also be feasible in this area.

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AGUA DULCE—SOLEDAD CANYON: comment letter to the County of Los Angeles for the proposed Spring Canyon Subdivision Project (Project No. 96-044-(5), Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 48086, and Environmental Assessment No. RPPL2018004166) to subdivide and develop approximately 548 acres of Spring Canyon adjacent to the City of Santa Clarita in unincorporated Los Angeles County. SMMC 9/16/2024
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/54260/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20comme.pdf?handle=918FAC30B9F54D1F9C5C5770D63B85E9 

-- https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/1997031043/2
General Plan Conditional Use Permit, a zone change, and an Oak Tree Permit to allow the development of 542 single family, detached residential lots (211.4 acres); one fire station lot (3.2 acres); one sheriff substation lot (1.8 acres); two private park sites (18.0 acres); and three open space lots (279.4 acres).

https://scvnews.com/supes-green-light-spring-canyon-development-with-green-conditions/
APPROX. 550 acres, 495 homes
The planned Spring Canyon housing development is north of Highway 14 and Soledad Canyon Road, between Shadow Pines Boulevard and Agua Dulce Canyon Road.

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EAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY:

VERDUGO MTS: acquire the approximately 33-acre Mountain Oaks property in the Verdugo Mountains. MRCA 8-7-24 Item VII(e) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/139414/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20enterin.pdf?handle=20756707064F4F9BACB80B47C3FD9DD6
(a) entering into a grant agreement with the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to acquire the approximately 33-acre Mountain Oaks property, (b) adopting a Youth Employment Plan, and (c) acquiring the property composed of 100 assessor parcel numbers in the City of Glendale, Verdugo Mountains. MRCA 8-7-24 Item VII(f) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/139415/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing_%20(a)%20en.pdf?handle=D5A3967202C6497B94BD710A9A30CC0A

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ALTADENA: Consideration of resolution endorsing the Conservancy's Owen Brown gravesite property (APN 5863-003-004) for inclusion in the National Underground Railway Networks to Freedom program, Altadena, unincorporated Los Angeles County. SMMC 9/16/2024
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/54317/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20endorsing%20the%20Conse.pdf?handle=4388F37D3F73464E8E202E6AA38C76B1

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VENTURA COUNTY:

SIMI VALLEY, 7.6 acres: Comment letter to the City of Simi Valley for the proposed Simi Pak Industrial Project (CUP-S-2023-0004) to develop a wildlife corridor dispersal/collector property in Alamos Canyon, Simi Valley. SMMC 9/16/2024
APN 579015005
https://simivalley.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=6&event_id=1709&meta_id=218716

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SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

HOLLYWOOD HILLS: acquire APN 5567-029-006 in Laurel Canyon, City of Los Angeles. MRCA 8-7-24 Item VII(g) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/139410/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing_%20(a)%20en.pdf?handle=70204AE231E846AC8FD62C9E5CDACAC2

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HOLLYWOOD HILLS: acceptance of conservation easements on APNs 5556-022-002, 003, and 004 (1800, 1806, 1812, and 1818 Crisler Way), and authorizing a non-opposition agreement with the property owner for the development of a single-family residence, upper Sunset Plaza, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 9-4-24 Item VI(d) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/139731/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20accepta.pdf?handle=D7018E0D43614036A1E89AAE249E3C25

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BROAD BEACH: acceptance of the offers to dedicate public lateral access easements associated with the following Los Angeles County Assessor's Parcel Numbers: 4470-017-066, 4470-017-067, Broad Beach (CDP # 4-93-086); 4450-008-048, Las Flores Beach (CDP # 5-83-399), City of Malibu.
MRCA 9-4-24 Item VI(j) Staff Report

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ESCONDIDO CANYON: Consideration of resolution authorizing temporary use of certain reserved funds to acquire Coastal Slope Trail properties, APNs 4460-003-015 and 4460-014-006, (approximately 3.96 Acres), Escondido Canyon, City of Malibu.
9-13-24 Item V(a) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/140870/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20tempora.pdf?handle=3739A5C4B8E34AEF8BD60B5807A491B2

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WEST MALIBU--MANSDORF: sale of a portion of Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority’s undivided partial interest in the Deer Creek Beach property (approximately 1109 acres, to the National Park Service, located in eastern Ventura County
MRCA 8-19-24 Item V(a) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/139516/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20sale%20of.pdf?handle=7D6CAF946AAF42B1988E8981CCFF07B5

sale of Deer Creek Beach property to include APN 700-0-010-490 for a total of 1241.5 acres, to the National Park Service, located in eastern Ventura County.
9-13-24 Item VI(b) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/140899/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20amendin.pdf?handle=C57A5E4D04594781ACBEA474E141F1AD


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EAST L.A. HILLS:

EAST LA: Consideration of resolution authorizing a grant application to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for Measure A funds to acquire approximately 1 acre at Elephant Hill, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 9-4-24 Item VII(c) Staff Report – Pdf




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