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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11041986 - T.5 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on . November 4 1986 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson and Powers NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN one SUBJECT: GALE RANCH: Approving Tentative ) RESOLUTION NO. 86/660 Cancellation for a Portion of Land ) (Gov. C. Sec. 51280 Conservation Contract 22-75 (1936-RZ)) et seq. ) The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County RESOLVES THAT: On February 11, 1975 the landowners of the Gale Ranch entered into a Land Conservation Contract with the County of Contra Costa in accordance with the California Land Conserva- tion Act (Government Code Section 51200 et seq. ) . On August 5, 1986 the landowner, Shapell Industries of Northern California, filed a petition for cancellation of a portion of that contract, covering approximately 400 acres of the 3,100 acre area subject to the contract, pursuant to Government Code Section 51280. The subject property is located both east and west of Dougherty Road southerly of Camino Tassajara and is identified as Assessor's parcels #217-060-001, 217-060-006, 217-060-007, and 206-040-005. The County Assessor has determined the full cash value of the subject property as though it were free of the contractual restriction, and has certified to the Board the cancella- tion valuation of the subject property for. the purpose of determining the cancellation fee. The Board hereby determines, and certifies to the County Auditor-Controller, that the amount of the cancellation fee which the landowner - must pay the County Treasurer, as deferred taxes upon cancellation is $33,464 (which is 12-1/2% of the cancellation valua- tion of the subject property) . The required findings associated with the review of this petition are presented in Exhibit A (attached) . ' The Board hereby grants tentative approval for cancellation of Land Conservation Contract 22-75, only as to the parcels identified above, subject to the following conditions and contingencies being satisfied: 1. Payment in full of the cancellation fee due under Government Code Section 51283, which fee is $33,464 (portion of Contract 22-75). Unless said fee is paid within one year from the recording of this Resolution, or a Certificate of Cancellation of Contract is issued within said time, this fee shall be recomputed as of the date of the landowner's Notice of Satisfaction of Conditions and Contingencies (Government Code Section 51283.4(b)) . 2. The landowner shall obtain approval for a Planned Unit District Preliminary Development Plan within one year of the date of tentative cancellation, with a possible one year extension at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors. .. .. ..._...._. .•. .._ _�.-.`... .Y.._...la. ..�...:J.r.:..�, e..`.u.�...w.+��r"a..vr.nu�..'.. ��Y�.rsri.r.�rx.may..... _ /• J 2. The Board directs the Clerk of the Board to file with the County Recorder a Certificate of Tentative Cancellation pursuant to Government Code Section 51283.4(a). The Board also requests the Treasurer-Tax Collector to notify the County Assessor and Community Development Department of the payment of cancellation fees on this tentative approval action. f hereby cerMy that thts is a true and correct copy of Ori g. Dept. : Community Development an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors ont date shown. cc: County Assessor ATTESTED: 4t iqJ( County Auditor-Controller PHIL SAT HELOR, Clerk of the Board County Recorder of Supervisors and County Administrator Clerk of the Board County Counsel Community Development By ocputy Public Works Treasurer-Tax Collector Shapell Industries Dan Coleman EXHIBIT A FINDINGS BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51200-51298; CANCELLATION OF LAND CONSERVATION CONTRACT DATED FEBRUARY 11, 1975 (WILLIAMSON ACT) The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County specifically finds as follows: 1. SHAPELL INDUSTRIES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC. (hereinafter Landowner) acquired and owns certain lands consisting of approximately three thousand one hundred (3,100) acres, located on either side of Dougherty Road between Camino Tassajara and Old Ranch Road east of San Ramon. The described property includes 400 acres at the northern end of the holding also identi- fied as Assessor's Parcel Nos. 206-040-005, 217-060-001, 217-060-006 and 217-060-007 (hereinafter subject property) . 2. BANK OF AMERICA, N.T. & S.A. , WILLIAM H. GALE, JR. AND FLORENCE M. SOLLOM entered into a Land Conservation Contract dated _January 13, 1975 (Contract) , with the County of Contra Costa. The Contract was executed pursuant to the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act) (Government Code Section 51200, et seq. ) . The Contract was made effective the last day of February, 1975, and carried a ten (10) year original term. Pursuant to Government Code Section 51244, the Contract provided for an automatic renewal of one year from the last day of January of each succeed- ing year, unless Notice of Nonrenewal was given. 3. A Notice of Nonrenewal of Land Conservation Contract was filed dated May 1, 1981 for the approximately 3,100 acres of the Gale Ranch. Under the terms of the Contract, the Contract will expire no later than February 18, 1991. Western Title Insurance Company, Bank of America, N.T. and S.A. , WILLIAM H. GALE, JR. AND FLORENCE M. SOLLOM filed a Request to Cancel Land Conserva- tion Contract dated March 30, 1982 for the approximate 400 acres of the subject property. • Y 2. 4. A proposal for alternative use was submitted to Contra Costa County. Pursuant to County Resolutions 84/695 and 84/783 Contra Costa County amended the County General Plan with respect to the subject property to provide for the alternative use proposed. 5. Pursuant to Resolution 84/696 dated November 27, 1984, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved a tentative cancellation of the agri- cultural preserve contract with respect to the Contract and the subject property. Such Tentative Cancellation, however, set forth findings consistent with Government Code Section 51282.1 . Certain constitutional questions have been raised with respect to certain provisions of Section 51282.1 in recent California cases. Thus, the Landowner has filed a separate Petition to Cancel Land Conservation Contract, dated August 5, 1986 (Petition). The Petition may be approved by the County of Contra Costa, pursuant to the guidelines set forth in Government Code Section 51282, and other applicable provisions of the Williamson Act. 6. As specifically stated in Findings 8 through 12, set forth below, the Cancellation of the Contract with respect to the subject property is consistent with the purposes of the Williamson Act, pursuant to Government Code Section 51282(a) (1) and (b) (1)-(5) . 7. The Cancellation is for land on which Notice of Nonrenewal has been served pursuant to Government Code Section 51245. Government Code Section 51245 requires that a Notice of Nonrenewal to be filed by the Landowner at least ninety (90) days prior to the renewal date. The renewal date of the Contract is the last day of February of each year. The Landowner's predecessor in interest timely filed a Notice of Nonrenewal , dated May 1, 1981. Such Notice will cause the Contract to expire no later than February 28, 1991. 8. Cancellation of the Contract is not likely to result in the removal of adjacent lands from agricultural use for the following, among other. reason. 3. The proposed project and subject property is nearly surrounded by lands which are currently developed, or are developing. The Wood Ranch develop- ment is adjacent to the subject property to the north. Canyon Lakes resi- dential development is currently under construction to the west. The Morgan and Johnson properties to the north are being reviewed for rezoning and preliminary development plan approval for residential development. This area 'is authorized for development pursuant to the North Dougherty Hills General Plan Amendment. It is, therefore, apparent, based on the surrounding development, that the property adjacent to the subject property would not be removed from agricultural use because the Williamson Act Contract was cancelled on the subject property. Further, Government Code Section 51282 (b) (2) requires that the Cancella- tion is not likely to result in the removal of adjacent lands from agri- cultural use. While there is Williamson Act Contract encumbering the balance of the Gale Ranch property to the south, development on the subject property is physically separated from these lands by a ridgeline to remain undeveloped. If agricultural uses are halted on that land or any nearby land, such cessation of agricultural uses is based on factors other than the withdrawal of the subject property. 9. Cancellation of the Contract is for an alternative use which is consistent with the applicable provisions of the County's General Plan for the follow- ing, among other reasons. The Landowner filed a proposal for alternative use in April of 1982. Concurrent with that proposal was an application for Williamson Act Cancellation as well as General Plan Amendment. By Resolution Nos. 84-695 and 84/783 the General Plan Amendment reflecting the alternative use plan was accepted by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. By Resolu- tion No. 84/696 the Board accepted the Williamson Act Cancellation on the property. As such, cancellation of the Contract is for an alternative use which is consistent with the applicable provisions of the County General Plan. 4. 10. Cancellation of the Contract will not result in discontiguous patterns of urban development for the following, among other reasons. The subject property is nearly surrounded by lands which are currently developing or projected to be developed in the near future. The proposed project is adjacent to areas approved for urban development. The proposed project will clearly not result in discontiguous patterns of urban develop- ment. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, when it granted Williamson Act Cancellation under the now defunct "window provisions," specifically found that the cancellation of alternative use will not result in discontiguous patterns of urban development. These findings of 1983 would be even more correct in the present situation, considering the increase growth and development of the area. 11. There is no proximate noncontracted land which is both available and suitable for the use to which it is proposed the contracted land be put for the following, among other reasons. As stated in Finding No. 10 above, the subject property is nearly surrounded by lands which are currently developed, or are projected to be developed in the near future. The Canyon Lakes properties, the Sycamore Valley properties and the North Dougherty Hills properties have or will be developed by other corporations or parties with other projects and are unavailable for this project. All other proximate lands are either subject to a Williamson Act Contract or fully developed or committed to development in the County. 12. As specifically stated in Findings Nos. 13 and 14, set forth below, the Cancellation of the Williamson Act Contract is in the public interest, pursuant to Government Code Section 51282(a) (2) and (c) . 13. Other public concerns substantially outweigh the objectives of the Williamson Act for the following, among other reasons. i w 5. The objectives of the Williamson Act are set forth generally at Government Code Section 51220. The objectives set forth at Government Code Section 51220 (a) and (b) recognize the importance of agricultural lands in order to preserve our food sources, and as areas to house agricultural work force. The subject lands are not utilized for any agricultural purposes at the present time. Accordingly, the contribution of the subject property as a food source for the nation, let alone the local community, is nonexis- tent. Similarly the objective at Section 51220(e) addresses lands designated as a scenic highway, or wildlife habitat, as such lands are specifically defined at Government Code Section 51201(i) and (j) . The current use of such lands does not affect these goals. The objective at Section 51220(c) states that the discouragement of conversion of agricultural lands is a matter of. publ.ic interest, "and will be a benefit to urban dwellers in that it will discourage discontiguous urban development patterns which unnecessarily increase the cost of community services to community residents." As stated above, we find that the cancellation of the Contract will not result in discontiguous patterns of urban development. The subject property is nearly surrounded by active or planned development and is better characterized as an infill site. The objective in Section 51220(d) states that in a rapidly urbanizing society, agricultural lands have a definite public value as open space. We . find the proposed cancellation coupled with a commitment to open space under the General Plan Amendment, in particular as to the 62% portion of the subject property that is proposed to be retained in permanent open space. To the extent that the stated objectives of the Williamson Act are not achieved by cancellation of the Contract, we nevertheless find that other public concerns outweigh such objectives. First, the proposed development will result in financial contributions to necessary road improvements in the San Ramon Valley area, including the extension of Crow Canyon Road crossing the property. Second, the proposed development will provide needed housing in the Danville/San Ramon area. ! r 6. 14. There is no proximate noncontracted land which is both available and suit- able for the use to which it is proposed that the contracted land be put. Our finding hereunder is the same as set forth under Finding No. 11, above. 15. The Landowner's Petition has referenced and incorporated a specific altern- ative use of the land. 16. Prior to its action giving this tentative approval , the County Assessor determined -the full cash value of the land as though it were free of the contractual restrictions. The County Assessor, pursuant to Government Code Section 51283, has certified to the Board that the cancellation value of the land for the purposes of determining cancellation fee. Such fee is an amount equal to 12-1/2% of the cancellation value of the property; such fee has been determined and certified to the County Auditor as being $33,464. 17. Conditions contained in the Certificate of Tentative Approval that must be met prior to final cancellation will include: a. Payment in full amount of the fee described above, together with a statement that unless the fee is paid, or a Certificate of Cancella- tion of Contract is issued within one (1) year from the date of the recording of the Certificate of Tentative Cancellation, such fee shall be recomputed as of the date of Notice described in Government Code Section 51283.4(b) ; b. The Landowner shall obtain all discretionary permits necessary to commence the project and project approval shall be conditioned upon mitigating all significant impacts identified in the General Plan Amendment and project EIR or a finding of overriding consideration. 7. 18. Pursuant to Government Code Section 51282(f) , if the provisions of Public Resources Code Section 21081 are found to be applicable to the cancellation of the subject Contract, then the Final Environmental Impact Report for the West Branch General Plan Amendment is deemed to be an environmental impact report relating to this "project". Such EIR was accepted by the County Board of Supervisors on December 18, 1984 by Resolution 84/695. The "project" being subject to the EIR, is deemed to include Cancellation of the subject Contract. All "significant effects" as set forth in the referred EIR will be mitigated or voided, or findings of overriding consideration shall be made, as a contingency to general approval of the development plan as required by P.R.C. Section 21081. The Board circulated an Amended Notice of Intent to use a previous Environmental Impact State- ment on September 17, 1986. The comment period for such Notice expired on November 3, 1986. The Board now accepts such EIR as complete for this Cancellation. 19. The Board recognizes that the objectives to be served by cancellation could not have been predicted nor served by nonrenewal at any earlier time. Such objectives can be served only by cancellation now. Cancellation now will insure that the monies will become available at an earlier date for the traffic improvements and other public benefits associated with the Crow Canyon Corridor Extension Area. It is a project that should be completed as soon as possible in the interest of the health, 'safety and welfare of the community. 20. The Board recognizes that under Government Code Section 51282(d) , the uneconomic character of an existing agricultural use 'shall not by itself be sufficient reason for cancellation of contracts. The uneconomic character of the existing use may be considered only if there is no reasonable or comparable agricultural use to which the land may be put. The Board is aware of this consideration, but does not need to consider the unneconomic A 8, character of the agricultural use now in existence except to recognizes its negligible contribution as a food source to the nation;, or to the ,local community. While the required findings to consider agricultural economics might be made, this cancellation is based upon the reasons set forth and not upon the Landowner's desire, understandable as it may be, to realize financial gain. Recording requested by Contra Costa County ti1.g� When recorded, Mail to Clerk N Board of Supervisors County Administration Bldg. 206289 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94553 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Re: Tentative Cancellation of a ) Portion of Land Conservation ) CERTIFICATION OF TENTATIVE Contract 22-75 (1936-RZ) } CANCELLATION (Gov. Code Section 51283.4) State of California ) ss: CERTIFICATE County of Contra Costa ) s I am the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of the County. The Board by Resolution No. 86/660 adopted on November 4 1.986 granted tentative approval for cancellation of the portion of the land conservation contract between the County of Contra Costa and the below-named landowner applicable to the belowdescribed real property. Name of Current Owner: Shapell Industries of Northern California, Inc. 100 No. Milpitas Boulevard Milpitas, CA 95035 Name of Landowner Requesting Shapell Industries of Northern Cancellation California, Inc. This real property is described in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. A Certificate of Cancellation of Contract will be issued and recorded at such time as the following conditions and contingencies are satisfied: (1) Payment in full of the cancellation fee due under Government Code Section 51283, which fee is $33,464 (portion of Contract 22-75). Unless said fee is paid within one year from the recording of this Certificate, or a� Certificate of Cancellation of Contract is issued within said time, this fee shall be recomputed as to the date of the landowner's Notice of Satisfaction of Conditions and Contingencies (Government Code Section 51283.4(b)) . I, 2. (2) The landowner shall obtain approval for a Planned Unit District preliminary development plan within one year of the date of tentative cancellation, with a possible one year extension at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors. 'f Date: p�.r�.ittc. �Q ATTEST: PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator By Depu y Clerk LTR.VI EXHIBIT A v PROJECT LEGAL DESCRIPTION I The land referred to is situated in Contra Costa County in the State of California being Lots 43 and 53 as shown and so designated on the map entitled "Map of a Subdivi- sion of Plot A of the Dougherty Ranch" , filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Contra Costa County, California, on May 2 , 1984 in Volume B of Maps of Page 45, excepting therefrom the interest conveyed to Contra Costa : County by the deed recorded February 6 , 1936,, in the ; a office of the Recorder of Contra Costa County, California, in Book 408 of official records at Page 128, more or less described as follows: Beginning at a point, said point being the most northerly northwest corner of the parcel of land described in the deed from William H. Gale, Jr. to Western Title Insurance i Company recorded June 28, 1979 in Book 9418 of Official Records at Page 583; thence from said point of beginning along the following courses: thence North 890 15" 00" East, 2613. 60 feet; thence South 00 ' 15 ' 00" East, 1518 .00 feet; thence North 85° 15 ' 00" East, 2686 . 20 feet; thence North 89° 45' 00" East; 1907.40 feet; thence South 06° 30 ' 00" East, 953. 70 feet; thence South, l5° 30 ' 00" West; 1110. 78 feet; thence North 84° 15 ' 00:" West, 1062. 60 32 - feet; thence South 850 45 ' 00" West, 2673. 00, feet; thence South 620 45 ' 00" West, 656 .70 feet; thence North 200 18 ' 49" East, 519 . 33 feet; thence South 890 00 ' 00" West, 1570. 80 feet; thence South 870 15 ' 00" West, 132.0 feet; thence North 3267 . 00 feet to the point of Beginning. APN's 206-•040-005, 217-060-001 , 217-060-0065 & 217-060-007 i 33 -