Report -- Authorization to Purchase Property

AGENDA ITEM #1
R-14-53
Meeting
August 28, 2014
To:
Board of Directors
Open Space Authority
From:
Andrea Mackenzie
General Manager
SUBJECT
Authorization to Purchase Property Totaling 285 +/- Acres in the Southern Santa Cruz Mountains
Conservation Focus Area from the Peninsula Open Space Trust; APNs: 756-11-044 and 756-11-051
BACKGROUND
On April 24, 2014, the Board authorized the General Manager to negotiate with the Peninsula Open
Space Trust (POST) regarding the potential purchase of the Melchor property. Located immediately off
of Uvas Road approximately one mile south of Croy Road, the property is in very close proximity to
nearby conservation lands including Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve, Chesbro Reservoir,
and Uvas Reservoir County Park. Permanent protection of this property will help implement a shared
vision between the Authority, POST and County Parks to protect open space in this important region of
the Santa Cruz Mountains, and to close gaps in regional trails linking these parks.
The Melchor property has outstanding conservation values, and it scores very high in the Valley
Greenprint, especially in terms of biodiversity and recreation potential. The property consists of open,
rolling grasslands that feature five scenic, spring-fed ponds. Much of the property is underlain by
serpentine soils and the grasslands in particular may provide habitat for rare plant populations. These
grasslands give way to a dramatic ridge that supports a very diverse oak woodland, with at least five
species of native oaks present, as well as serpentine rock outcrops. The property’s southern boundary
consists of a narrow canyon and intermittent stream bordered by willows, alder and other riparian
vegetation. This tributary to Uvas Creek may support populations of rainbow trout during years of
normal rainfall. The Bay Area Open Space Council’s Conservation Lands Network biodiversity report
notes that the property is highly suitable for conservation based on the rare habitats present and that
its protection will help preserve a critical landscape linkage that connects the Santa Cruz Mountains to
the Gabilan Range and Pinnacles National Park.
Protection of the property would also provide new public recreation and environmental education
opportunities. There is outstanding access off Uvas road with a driveway that leads to large, open
meadow. It is highly feasible to construct a staging area at this site, with many existing ranch roads
serving as the backbone of a future trail system. Immediately following purchase, staff will work with
docents to begin planning hikes in the area, and will initiate planning for future unrestricted public
access. Importantly, purchase of the property is necessary to further implementation of a planned trail
route identified within the Countywide Trails Master Plan. The route connects Uvas Canyon County
Park to Uvas Reservoir County Park. In addition, the planned West Valley Trail follows Uvas Road. As
trail improvements are implemented along that route, it will draw visitors to the doorstep of the
Melchor property.
COST / REVENUE
This project represents a partnership between the Authority, POST and Santa Clara County Parks. POST
is currently under contract to purchase the Melchor property for $1,436,000. POST has agreed to sell
the parcels to the Open Space Authority after POST closes escrow with the Melchor family, or assign the
agreement to purchase the property that POST has executed with the Melchor family. The Authority
and County Parks will each reimburse POST for one-half of the total purchase price. The Authority will
take fee title to the property and the County will hold a conservation easement.
As fee owner, the Authority will take day-to-day responsibility for managing the property. In the shortterm, the Authority will address a few minor cleanup issues, including removal of a dilapidated shack,
necessary to prepare the property for public use. A neighbor currently leases the property and provides
general maintenance and property upkeep in exchange for the ability to graze his three horses there.
County Parks, designated as the lead agency under the Countywide Trails Master Plan, will likely provide
funding for future planning, design, construction and maintenance of the planned regional trail that will
connect Uvas Canyon County Park to Uvas Reservoir County Park, as well as the West Valley Trail. Both
agencies will continue to work together and with POST to secure the necessary lands and property
rights necessary to implement these regional trails.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board authorize the General Manager to purchase the property for
$718,000, or to accept assignment from POST of the agreement to purchase the Property between
POST and the Melchor family for that price to be paid to POST upon close of escrow.
Prepared by:
Matt Freeman, Assistant General Manager
Attachment(s):
Resolution 14-34 – Authorization to Purchase Property
Attachment – Exhibit A -- Map—Melchor Property Location
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
RESOLUTION 14-34
A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE
SANTA CLARA COUNTY OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY
AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER TO PURCHASE PROPERTY FROM PENINSULA OPEN SPACE
TRUST (POST) TOTALING 285 +/- ACRES - WESTERN WATERSHED AREA - SANTA CLARA COUNTY
ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBERS APN: 756-11-044 & 756-11-051
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority authorized
negotiations on its behalf for the purchase of land from The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) totaling
285 +/- acres, Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 756-11-044 & 756-11-051 (the Property); and,
WHEREAS, POST has an agreement to purchase the Property from the current owners, the Melchor
family; and,
WHEREAS, POST has agreed to sell the parcels to the Open Space Authority after POST closes
escrow with the Melchor family, or assign the agreement to purchase the property that POST has
executed with the Melchor family; and,
and,
WHEREAS, under the California Environmental Quality Act this acquisition is Categorically Exempt;
WHEREAS, the purchase of this property would be consistent with the Open Space Authority's
5 Year Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the General Manager to purchase
the above referenced property at a price of $718,000, or to accept assignment from POST of the
agreement to purchase the Property between POST and the Melchor family for the price stated above to
be paid to POST upon close of escrow.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board further directs that the General Manager is hereby
authorized and directed, on behalf of the Authority and in its name, to execute and deliver such
documents and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the
intentions of this resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of August, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTION:
Mike Potter, Chairperson
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ATTEST:
William P. Parkin, Legal Counsel
Kellie Guerra, Acting Clerk of the Board
EXHIBIT A
& (APN 75611044)