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

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

SMMC MRCA May June 2025


THE LATEST DEALS TO SAVE NATURAL LANDS IN L.A.

DMCA 5/30/2025
Update on existing Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority (DMCA) fee simple and conservation easement land interests.
DMCA Land Interests 5-2025
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55876/DMCA%20Land%20Interests%205-2025.pdf?handle=9ED4D2D243614E7B95ECDC1C5ED3DD61
--Andora-Chatsworth
--Big Tujunga
--Joshua Ranch-Palmdale
--Canyon Hills-Whitebird
--assorted Antelope valley

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ANTELOPE VALLEY:

Update on properties acquired by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) in the Antelope Valley since fall 2022.
--Big Rock Wash, 2.5 acres, saved 5/2023
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55877/Big%20Rock%20Wash.pdf?handle=4922FA57836B47A29FE4E22CDCCFEDE6
--NE Lancaster area, 72 acres, saved 5/2023
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55881/NE%20Lancaster%20area.pdf?handle=02FBC16D05BC44B19DB626E53920107B
--Lake Los Angeles, 2.5 acres, saved 2/2024
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55880/Lake%20Los%20Angeles%20.pdf?handle=5EBA480A308949D89B2909EEF712C4BE
--Juniper Hills, 41 acres, saved 12/2023
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55878/Juniper%20Hills.pdf?handle=1296B0A7DF5C42CA81735C7F6FBB59AB
--Lake Hughes addition, 200 acres bought 3/2024
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55879/Lake%20Hughes%20addition.pdf?handle=CC9C24EA70754B4BB9AA8874F561989E

ANTELOPE VALLEY: Consideration of resolution authorizing granting conservation easements to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) over APNs 3236-006-902 and 3236-001-900 (Fairmont Butte); APNs 3236-013-903 and 904 (north of State Poppy Preserve), and APN 3206-066-900 (Amargosa creek/Joshua Ranch open space dedication) in the Antelope Valley to facilitate enforcement of the MRCA Ordinance.
DMCA 5-30-25 Item VIII(e) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55904/5-30-25%20Item%20VIII(e)%20Staff%20Report.pdf?handle=029EF47977F44C26A4FB139ACF6CE4C3

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SANTA CLARITA VALLEY:

Discussion and possible action related to unrecorded mitigation-related conservation easements in Santa Clara River watershed and proposed allocation of associated funding between the MRCA and DMCA 5-30-25 Item VIII(b) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55848/5-30-25%20Item%20VIII(b)%20Staff%20Report.pdf?handle=C69BDA39E2C046AAA7FB5CFA05A6D999

CASTAIC 240 ACRES: acquire APNs 3247-018-033 and 3247-025-027 (240 acres), Violin Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County.
MRCA 6-4-25 Item VII(e) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/145197/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20grant.pdf?handle=BFB2C27E785546BB92B9FDC041DE0F69
SMMC 6-16-25 Item 11(e) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/56132/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20grant.pdf?handle=3F3DCE324FD34A0B87B2B8C5BD47E13A

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SOLEDAD CANYON-52 ACRES Consideration of resolution authorizing: 1) Grant applications to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board to acquire APNs 3210-017-043,054,055 totaling approximately 52 acres, 2) authorizing entering into grant agreements, including WC- , 3) acquisition of said property, and 4) future transfer of said property to Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, Soledad Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County.
SCWRCA 6-5-25 Item VI(d) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/56038/6-05-25%20Item%20VI(d)%20Staff%20Report.pdf?handle=422B2CFB89234CC5BCDB118F988708F1

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EAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY:

LA TUNA CANYON-CANYON HILLS 600 ACRES: Consideration of resolution amending Resolution No. 12-01 to: a) add APN 2561-033-001 (now 2561-003-900), b) include converted 900 parcel numbers for all included parcels, and c) authorize the fee simple transfer of approximately 600 acres to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, La Tuna Canyon, Verdugo Mountains, City of Los Angeles.
DMCA 5-30-25 Item VIII(d) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55903/5-30-25%20Item%20VIII(d)%20Staff%20Report.pdf?handle=9C44FC6F15614BBC941848555242D09E

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SIMI HILLS:

SIMI HILLS. 1.7 ACRE CONSERVATION EASEMENT. : Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of conservation easements over portions of APN 649-0-010-290 and APNs 649-0-320-070, 080, 090, 100, and 110 in the Simi Hills, unincorporated Ventura County.
MRCA 6-4-25 Item VI(n) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/145145/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20accepta.pdf?handle=643FC581DE854987820985B096CEC869

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EAST L.A. HILLS:

ELEPHANT HILL: Consideration of resolution authorizing a grant application to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for acquisition project planning and design at Elephant Hill Open Space, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 6-4-25 Item VI(k) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/145204/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20grant.pdf?handle=4525303673654622A0B6CA123F07F731

Consideration of resolution authorizing the acquisition of APN 5307-003-040 (approximately 0.35 acres) at Elephant Hill using Proposition A funds, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 6-4-25 Item VII(h) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/145203/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20the%20acq.pdf?handle=EA33AB9ECD0C4AC3AB2A5F1EEC3CD83F

ELEPHANT HILL: Consideration of resolution authorizing a grant to Save Elephant Hill for the Advancing Community Centered Conservation project at Elephant Hill, City of Los Angeles.
SMMC 6-16-25 Item 12(f) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/56192/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20grant.pdf?handle=4301C40F70C642AE9DAFA04973414165

ELEPHANT HILL 110 ACRES: Consideration of resolution authorizing a grant to Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for acquisition project planning and design at Elephant Hill, City of Los Angeles.
SMMC 6-16-25 Item 12(g) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/56140/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20grant.pdf?handle=5C6B6B05DA3C43399DD0DC5435B5BDF4

Monday, May 12, 2025

SMMC-MRCA April-May 2025

 Parks Agency To Spend At Least $20 Million to Buy U2 Guitarist's Malibu Lands

MALIBU COAST, 277 ACRES: grant to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for repayment of a promissory note to complete the acquisition of Sweetwater Mesa (152 acres) and Primrose (125 acres) 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 the City of Malibu and unincorporated Los Angeles County. *
SMMC 5-12-25 Item 11(c) Staff Report
https://smmc.civicweb.net/document/55754/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20a%20grant.pdf?handle=8B26D6C237374D1B9DA44F4A8973F982
MRCA 5-7-25 Item VIII(h) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/144686/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20grant%20a.pdf?handle=465977F8FDB946F199868A2C722077F2

Monday, March 24, 2025

SMMC-MRCA March 2025

Some More Urban Natural Parks

NORTHEAST L.A.: acquisition of APN 5306-006-011 (approximately 0.18 acres) at Elephant Hill using Proposition A funds, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 3-19-25 Item VII(g) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/143671/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20the%20acq.pdf?handle=208593F6836B4F4B924BD5C9C90E1D10

NORTHEAST L.A.: acquisition of either conservation easements or fee simple on APNs 5462-024-028, 029, 030, 031, and 032 and 5462-021-012, 013, 014, 015, 016, 017, and 018 in Walnut Canyon using ULART grant funds, Glassell Park, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 3-19-25 Item VII(h) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/143577/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20the%20acq.pdf?handle=C97AC5CEEA734FBDBA16A1EFE88D7BCB

SHERMAN OAKS: acquisition of APNs 2281-022-006 and 008 (10.21 acres), using Community Facilities District 2020-1 and ULART grant funds, Sherman Oaks, City of Los Angeles.
MRCA 3-19-25 Item VII(i) Staff Report
https://mrca.civicweb.net/document/143580/Consideration%20of%20resolution%20authorizing%20the%20acq.pdf?handle=F11DD2EA2AC44F5690B7F2B31BE0F599




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

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