AGENDA ITEM #4
R-15-62
Meeting 15-15
August 13, 2015
To:
Board of Directors
Open Space Authority
From:
Matt Freeman
Assistant General Manager
SUBJECT
Authorization to Purchase Property Totaling 10 +/- Acres in the Upper Penitencia Creek Watershed
Conservation Focus Area; APN 627-01-006
BACKGROUND
On February 12, 2015, the Board authorized the General Manager to negotiate with Sam and Diane
Arquilla regarding the potential purchase of their 10-acre property located adjacent to Sierra Vista Open
Space Preserve. Acquisition of this property would expand the Preserve and result in the permanent
protection of important habitat, watershed, scenic, and recreational values. Accessible via Alum Rock
Falls Road, the scenic Arquilla property is located on a gentle southwest-facing hillside characterized by
oak woodlands interspersed with pocket grasslands and chaparral vegetation. These natural
communities can provide habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species. Like the lands within
the adjacent Preserve, the property encompasses important watershed land that drains into Penitencia
Creek.
The Arquilla family has enjoyed the property as a weekend getaway since the early 1930s, and used it
solely for recreational purposes. There are no structures or significant improvements on the property,
other than fencing, a gate located on Alum Rock Falls Road, and remnants of a ranch road that traverses
the property. This ranch road connects directly to the future trail that is planned within the adjacent
Frankel property easement area. Integrating this road into the new trail system will eliminate the need
for the public to walk along a short segment of Alum Rock Falls Road before continuing on to Vista
Point. Other benefits of the purchase include elimination of a potential home site within very scenic
open space, and reduced vehicle traffic potential along Alum Rock Falls Road.
COST / REVENUE
Authority staff commissioned an appraisal of the property to determine its fair market value, which was
calculated to be $75,000, and the landowner has agreed to sell the property for this amount. The
required funding, including associated closing and recording fees, is included in the Authority’s FY 20152016 Budget. The property is located in very close proximity to a portion of Sierra Vista Open Space
Preserve that is considered a high priority for enrollment into the Valley Habitat Plan Reserve System.
Staff will explore this long-term opportunity with representatives from the Valley Habitat Agency, as
enrollment into the Reserve System would offset the Authority’s property management costs.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board authorize the Assistant General Manager to execute a Purchase
Agreement with Sam and Diane Arquilla in the amount of $75,000, and to name the property as an
addition to Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.
Prepared by:
Matt Freeman, Assistant General Manager
Attachment(s):
Resolution 15-40 -- Authorization to Purchase– Arquilla
Exhibit C – Arquilla Property Location Map – Aerial
Exhibit D – Arquilla Property Location Map
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
RESOLUTION 15-40
A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE
SANTA CLARA COUNTY OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY
AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER TO PURCHASE PROPERTY FROM SAM AND DIANE ARQUILLA
TOTALING 10 +/- ACRES – UPPER PENITENCIA CREEK WATERSHED CONSERVATION FOCUS AREA SANTA CLARA COUNTY ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER APN: 627-01-006
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority authorized
negotiations on its behalf for the purchase of land from Sam and Diane Arquilla totaling 10 +/- acres,
Assessor’s Parcel Number 627-01-006 (the Property); and,
and,
and,
WHEREAS, Sam and Diane Arquilla have agreed to sell the Property to the Open Space Authority;
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 and the Valley Greenprint.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the General Manager to purchase
the above referenced property at a price of $75,000.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board further directs that the Assistant 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 13th day of August, 2015, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTION:
Mike Potter, Chairperson
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ATTEST:
William P. Parkin, Legal Counsel
Kellie Guerra, Clerk of the Board
ARQUILLA PROPERTY
EXHIBIT C
APN: 627-01-006
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Data Sources: SCVOSA, SCC Parcels, SCC Streets, SCC Parks, ESRI
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EXHIBIT D
Arquilla Property
OSA Fee Land
OSA Easements
Protected Lands
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Santa Clara
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Data Sources: SCVOSA, SCC Parcels, SCC Streets, SCC Parks, ESRI
Created by jperez 8/7/2015
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