SMMC-MRCA 10/2/2013 to 8/25/2014

L.A. Parks News Blast, #1: Rare Earth News publisher falls asleep in front of TV, His readers miss news about all these big deals....

Dear Readers,
From October of 2013 until July 2014 I was swamped with work and could not churn out my supply of good hiking news for you. I'm back and here's all the news that piled up in my in-box, cut down to the basics with e-links so you can find out more info. If your email box fills up with all this, I apologize. From mine to yours.
....enjoy...Rex
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Taken from the agendas of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for October 2013 to August 2014

MALIBU AND L.A. COUNTY PORTIONS OF SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

SEVERAL LARGE PURCHASES:

416 ACRES IN DECKER CANYON:

acquisition of approximately 416 acres in Decker Canyon, APNs 4472-018-007, 4472-023-007 and 008, 4472-024-005, 007 and 008, 4473-004-002 and 003, west of Decker Canyon Road, incorporated and unincorporated Malibu area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] SMMC 11/4/2013; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] SMMC 12/9/2013; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 11/6/2013; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 11/6/2013

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703 ACRE PUERCO CANYON PURCHASE (NEXT CANYON WEST OF PEPPERDINE):

Puerco Canyon Coastal Core Habitat properties, for the following 24 APNs: 4457-004-056 through 072, 4457-005-012, 015, 017, 027, 028; 4458-031-001 and 002, unincorporated Malibu area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]SMMC 4/28/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 4/2/2014; accept grant funds from the Wildlife Conservation Board. [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 4/2/2014; accept grant funds from the State Coastal Conservancy [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 4/2/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 4/2/2014

license or easement agreement for the use of APN 4457-005-911 by Earthship Productions, Inc. for ingress and egress over a portion of Puerco Canyon Motorway, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 7/2/2014

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LIBERTY CANYON AND WILDLIFE BRIDGE OVER 101 FREEWAY:

development of a Caltrans Project Study Report and subsequent environmental review for wildlife crossing structures at the 101 freeway at Liberty Canyon, incorporated and unincorporated Agoura Hills area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Map 1] [Map 2] SMMC 2/24/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 2/5/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] MRCA 2/5/2014

South of 101 freeway and west of Liberty Canyon road: amending resolution No. 08-29 to include APNs 2064-006-902 and 905, Liberty Canyon, City of Agoura Hills. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Map 2] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] MRCA 2/5/2014

south side of the 101 freeway corridor, east of Liberty Canyon road: acceptance of fee simple or conservation easement interests on APNs 2064-005-011 (27.43 acres) and 2064-005-015 (2.62 acres),  and associated funding in cooperation with the City of Calabasas, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 4/2/2014

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ZUMA CANYON:

acceptance of a 2.5 acre conservation easement from Los Angeles County over APNs 4471-004-903 and 4471-004-905, upper Zuma Canyon watershed, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 8/6/2014

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RAMIREZ CANYON PURCHASES:

acquisition of APN 4465-004-045, approximately 56 acres in Ramirez Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 11/6/2013; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 11/6/2013

grant funds for purchase of 48 acres in upper Ramirez canyon to Trust for Public Land; APN 4465-004-084; unincorporated Los Angeles County. Staff Report [Attachment 3] SMMC 7/28/2014

Consideration of resolution (a) decertifying those portions of the Final Environmental Impact Report for the previously approved Malibu Parks Public Access Enhancement Plan Public Works Plan relating to the Ramirez Canyon Park area, as defined, located in the City of Malibu and in unincorporated Los Angeles County, and (b) vacating those portions of the previously approved Malibu Parks Public Access Enhancement Plan Public Works Plan relating to the Ramirez Canyon Park area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] SMMC 12/9/2013;

[Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 12/4/2013

joint application with the City of Malibu for a coastal development permit for uses and programs at Ramirez Canyon Park. [Staff Report] [Resolution] SMMC 12/9/2013; [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 12/4/2013

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ESCONDIDO CANYON:

acquisition of Stone properties, apn's 4465-004-053 and 4465-005-006 totaling 77.43 acres, Escondido Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Map 1] [Map 2] SMMC 3/24/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 5/7/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 5/7/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] SMMC 4/28/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] SMMC 4/28/2014

comment letter to the County of Los Angeles on the Notice of Preparation for “Escondido Falls” Malitex Residential Project (pm071073-[3]), 5700 block of northerly end of paved portion of Murphy Way, Escondido Canyon and Ramirez Canyon watersheds. [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Map] [Resolution] [Comment Letter] SMMC 1/27/2014

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LECHUZA BEACH:

Project Planning and Design services for the Lechuza Beach Public Access Improvements Project, City of Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map ] MRCA 3/13/2014; [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Map] SMMC 3/24/2014

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WEST OF MALIBU:

donation of APN 694-0-181-500 totaling 33.96 acres in the Carlisle Creek watershed east of Sandstone Peak, unincorporated Ventura County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 5/7/2014

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CITY OF CALABASAS:

comment letter to the City of Calabasas on proposed Broadway Trust Residence on 10 acres, 3121 and 3111 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Dry Creek Canyon watershed. [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Map] [Comment Letter] [Resolution] SMMC 1/27/2014

comment letter to the City of Calabasas on the Notice of Preparation for the 77 acre Canyon Oaks Project, 4790 Las Virgenes Road, City of Calabasas. Proposal includes 138 houses, 8 condos and a hotel  [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Map] SMMC 7/28/2014

acceptance of conservation easements over portions of APNS 2069-065-001, 002, and 003 totaling approximately 10.5 acres to preserve narrow wildlife corridor connecting Headwaters Corner Park and Stokes Canyon,   surrounding 3 new homes along Mulholland Highway, City of Calabasas. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Attachment 2] [Map] MRCA 10/2/2013

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TOPANGA:

acquisition of 37 acre Steers parcel, APN 4434-008-007 AND 4434-001-004 in the Santa Maria and Garapito subwatersheds of northeastern Topanga Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] SMMC 8/25/2014;. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 7/2/2014

grant funds for purchase of 80 acres in Old Topanga Canyon to Mountains Restoration Trust’s Cold Creek to Old Topanga/Sisson Acquisition project; unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Attachment 1] SMMC 7/28/2014

acquire approximately 6.28-acre parcel APN 4448-018-018 (1809 Tuna Canyon Road), adjacent Rocky Ledge, Topanga Canyon watershed, unincorporated County of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map 1] [Map 2] SMMC 12/9/2013

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SADDLE PEAK, COLD CREEK, STOKES CANYON, DARK CANYON:

acceptance of a donation of an approximately 10 acre parcel (APN 4455-008-012) in the Cold Creek watershed, between Calabasas Peak and Mulholland Hwy, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 12/4/2013

Knipe property: exchange of an approximately 1.2- acre area with an existing horse rink either in fee simple or easement and an easement for ingress and egress over a historic dirt road on APN 4456-013-904 for an approximately 13-acre fee simple portion of APN 4456-037-037, Piuma road, Dark Canyon watershed, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Map 2] MRCA 6/4/2014

acceptance of a donation of either fee simple or conservation easement interests in APN 4455-058-004 of approximately 12 acres, Stokes and Cold Creek Canyon watersheds east of King Gillette Ranch park, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 6/4/2014

acceptance of an approximately 2.29-acre conservation easement dedication and processing funds over a portion of APN 4455-011-013 in Stokes Canyon, on Dry Canyon Cold Creek Road, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 7/2/2014

granting easements to the County of Los Angeles for the construction, maintenance, and operation of culverts and drains over a portion of APN 4453-003-902, along Schueren Road, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 11/6/2013

Carbon Canyon East Segment Property of the Coastal Slope Trail. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 5/7/2014

acquisition of an approximately 8-acre parcel (APN 4448-029-022) in Las Flores Canyon using Proposition A funds, unincorporated Los Angeles County. Negotiators: Joseph T. Edmiston; Celine Rickards; Michelle Hennesy, and Manon Hennesy. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 7/2/2014

Sweetwater Mesa: amendment to an open space easement over portions of APNs 4452-025-021, 023, 025, 027, and 028, located in the City of Malibu and unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] MRCA 2/5/2014

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CITY OF MALIBU:

comment letter to the City of Malibu on the Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Rancho Malibu Hotel Project (sch #2012051035), 4000 Malibu Canyon Road, Malibu. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3] SMMC 11/4/2013

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NEAR MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK:

grant funds for purchase of 47 acres in Triunfo creek area, west of Bulldog motorway,  to Trust for Public Land’s Malibu Creek Watershed Phase II acquisition project; [Staff Report] Attachment 2 SMMC 7/28/2014

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ASSORTED GIVING UP OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS:

acceptance of the offers to dedicate scenic easements and/or open space easements associated with Coastal Development Permit Nos. 4-92-091 (Cold Canyon LP), 4-92-090 (Toberman), 5-89-1218 (Goeglein), 4-92-158 (Bennett), and 5-91-027 (Kelso), incorporated and unincorporated Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] MRCA 10/2/2013

Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of the offers to dedicate scenic easements and/or open space easements associated with Coastal Development Permit Nos. 5-91-865 (Imhof), 4-01-123 (Kaplan), 5-90-755 (Harvest Corporation), 5-89-1064 (Assael), 5-90-065 (Lewis), 4-93-178 (Stroeber) and 5-90-368-A (Berger), incorporated and unincorporated Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 3/13/2014

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ASSORTED SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS PLANNING DOCUMENTS:

comment letter to the County of Los Angeles on proposed Santa Monica Mountains Local Coastal Program. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Map] SMMC 1/27/2014

Planning for Malibu Coastal Access Public Works Plan and associated California Environmental Quality Act documents. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Attachment] MRCA 10/2/2013

engineering work for the Malibu Coastal Access Public Works Plan. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 1/15/2014

landscape architect work for the Malibu Coastal Access Public Works Plan. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 2/5/2014

support letter to California Coastal Commission on Los Angeles County Local Implementation Plan No. LCP-4-LAC-14-0109-4 (Santa Monica Mountains Local Implementation Plan). [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 7/2/2014

comment letter to County of Los Angeles on draft (a) General Plan, (b) Significant Ecological Areas Ordinance, (c) Hillside Management Area Ordinance, and (d) related documents. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] SMMC 6/2/2014

comment letter to Los Angeles County on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Los Angeles County General Plan Update. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] SMMC 7/28/2014

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L.A. CITY PORTION OF SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

FROM TOPANGA CANYON BLVD. TO CAHUENGA PASS: project planning and design for the Mulholland Drive Scenic Corridor in the upper Los Angeles River watershed, Santa Monica Mountains, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Map] SMMC 6/2/2014;  [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 5/7/2014

EAST OF 405 FREEWAY: adopting Engineer’s Report, confirming the annual levy of maintenance assessment for fiscal year 2014-2015 and directing related actions for the Santa Monica Mountains Open Space Preservation Assessment District No. 1, Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] MRCA 7/2/2014

WEST OF 405 FREEWAY: adopting Engineer’s Report, confirming the annual levy of maintenance assessment for fiscal year 2014-2015 and directing related actions for the Santa Monica Mountains Open Space Preservation Assessment District No. 2, Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] MRCA 7/2/2014

STUDIO CITY: comment letter to the City of Los Angeles on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Harvard-Westlake School Parking Improvement Plan Project (sch #2013041033, env-2013-0150-eir), 3700-3701 N. Coldwater Canyon Avenue, [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Attachment 5] [Attachment 6] [Attachment 7] SMMC 11/4/2013

STUDIO CITY: transfer of 1/3^rd of an acre,  (a portion of APN 2385-018-904) to adjacent property owner; Coldwater Canyon area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 5/7/2014

STUDIO CITY: approximately 0.5-acres, acceptance of conservation easements over portions of APNs 2381-031-009 and 010 (8220 Mulholland Terrace), adjacent to National Park Service-owned Fryman Canyon Park, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] MRCA 3/13/2014

HOLLYWOOD HILLS: acceptance of conservation easements on APNs 2425-015-030, 031, 032, 033 and 034 on Multiview Drive in the Cahuenga Pass area, [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 11/6/2013

HOLLYWOOD HILLS: assignment of right to purchase APN 5565-003-036 located at Laurel Canyon and Mulholland to the City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 1/15/2014

-- authorizing: (a) amendments to option agreement for Laurel Canyon and Mulholland properties; (b) contingent reduction of square footage of existing conservation easements on APNs 5565-003-040 and 041; (3) contingent granting of access easement over APN 5565-003-900, and (d) contingent sale of APN 5565-003-900, City of Los Angeles. Negotiators: Joseph T. Edmiston and Lawrence Lazar. Under consideration: price and terms. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8.) [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] MRCA 2/5/2014

SHERMAN OAKS: 1.6 acres, acquisition of apn 2274-018-014, Oak Forest Canyon wildlife corridor. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3] [Map 4] SMMC 11/4/2013

 [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Map] MRCA 10/2/2013

BRENTWOOD: Farivar/Canyonback Restoration project for damage to 0.9 acres of public parkland. [Staff Report]]MRCA 1/22/2014

BEL AIR: acceptance of conservation easements over portions of APN 4379-030-020 (14730 Mulholland Drive), approximately 3.96-acres combined, in Upper Stone Canyon, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] MRCA 4/2/2014

PACIFIC PALISADES: sale of an underground utility easement across APN 4416-002-903 to benefit APN 4416-002-015, and authorizing potential acceptance of conservation easements or deed restrictions on APNs 4416-002-015 and 4416-002-016, [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] MRCA 12/4/2013