Council Cool to Latest Pitch for Burbank Land

Developer Sherman Whitmore attempted to revive the city of Burbank’s interest in purchasing some of his undeveloped hillside property by making an impromptu offer to the Burbank City Council--but he found little interest.

Whitmore told the council Tuesday night that he would sell a 60-acre hillside parcel to the city for $1.36 million and that, as part of the deal, he would donate to the city another 18 to 20 acres of property elsewhere in the hills above Burbank.

The city offered Whitmore $575,000 for the 60-acre parcel earlier this month. Whitmore rejected that offer, saying he wanted $12 million to $16 million for that property and another 117 acres of hillside land that he owns.

Whitmore said the city has until Aug. 5 to accept his latest offer.

Recommends Rejecting Offer

City Atty. Douglas C. Holland said Wednesday he would recommend to the City Council that it unconditionally reject the offer. He said the recommendation reflects the council’s decision earlier this month to cease negotiations with Whitmore.

The city had received $3 million in state aid to purchase the property as parkland, but officials said it still would cost the city too much.

“We are not interested in acquiring that property anymore,” Holland said. The land Whitmore offered to donate “had no value whatsoever,” he said.

The city is processing plans submitted by Whitmore to develop his 60-acre and 117-acre parcels. A Planning Board hearing on the larger site is scheduled Monday.