Site has issues that may affect decision to buy

[view:node_ad=5]The Santa Clarita City Council unanimously approved a consideration of purchase for 140 acres of open space off of Placerita Canyon Road.

 

Some members of the community voiced their opposition to acquiring the land, as they say that it has some parts that are contaminated, and complained of its $2.5 million dollar price tag, which they say, is in stark contrast to the purchase price by the current owner, who bought the land over three years ago for under $700,000.

 

City Manager Ken Pulskamp defended the consideration. “The department of Toxic Substance Control says that is not a problem for open space,” he said. “If the intent was to put some type of specific building on there it could be problematic, but that’s not the plan. The plan is to keep it as open space.”

 

As for the price tag, Pulskamp said that it is no surprise. “I think there’s a tendency when you buy the property to think that you’re paying too much money. You get the best deal you can. And then certainly the experience in Santa Clarita has been that several years later you’re talking about this great deal you got….property in Santa Clarita is expensive.”

 

In addition, City staff confirmed that included in the price are costs associated with the testing of the small portion of the site that is contaminated and demolition of buildings on the land. 

 

Some speakers had also commented that the land would never be developed. To that, Pulskamp replied: “That land, we’re confident, if it doesn’t get taken out of the mix, will at some point be developed.”

 

The site will enter a six month escrow, and the City can back out. Should City staff recommend the purchase of the property, the Council will again weigh that at a meeting.