DATE:
April 9, 2025 and May 7, 2025
04
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING:
SANTA YSABEL COUNTY PRESERVE - APPROVE ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY 540 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVE FROM PALO VERDE LAND DEVELOPMENT, LP, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION ([4/9/2025] - SET HEARING; [5/7/2025] - HOLD HEARING) (DISTRICT: 5))...Title
Body
OVERVIEW
On April 9, 2025 (02) the Board of Supervisors Set a Hearing for May 7, 2025.
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) enhances the quality of life in San Diego County by providing exceptional parks and recreation experiences and preserving significant natural resources. A core aspect of DPR's conservation program is acquiring open space lands that support sensitive species and habitats. DPR has identified approximately 540 acres to expand the existing Santa Ysabel County Preserve and contribute towards DPR's goal of acquiring 500 acres of land per year. If acquired, the existing approximately 6,900-acre Santa Ysabel County Preserve would be expanded to approximately 7,440 acres, conserving chamise chaparral, Engelmann oak woodland, and grassland habitat to help protect sensitive species, including mountain lion, mule deer, Stephen's kangaroo rat, and Engelmann oak.
This acquisition enhances conservation under the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) set by federal and state requirements for special-status species conservation. It also supports multiple County of San Diego (County) sustainability goals, habitat and biodiversity, biological connectivity, greenhouse gas reductions, and benefits water and air quality. Additionally, conservation of the property provides flood control benefits and protection of water quality.
The County entered into an Option Agreement with Palo Verde Land Development, LP (Seller), a California limited partnership for the purchase of approximately 540 acres identified as Assessor's Parcel Numbers 248-010-05, 246-090-11, 248-010-06...
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