Rancho P.V. : Museum Donations Studied

The City Council has asked its staff to research offers of donations from private groups which could fund operation and maintenance of a 1.16-acre park and museum on property at Armaga Spring and Highridge roads.

The museum would preserve the residence and radio equipment of radio pioneer Don C. Wallace, who died in 1985.

The American Radio Relay League, the Rancho de Los Palos Verdes Historical Society and the Wallace family have offered donations to maintain such a museum, City Manager Dennis McDuffie said.

If the city wants the park, the land would be set aside by the developer of the 24.1-acre Wallace property, Wallace Ranch Associates, which is seeking to build about 83 single-family homes there. The annual cost of maintaining such a park and museum would be $32,000 to $50,000, according to a staff report, and the city says it cannot afford it.

In related action, the council reviewed a concept design of the development that incorporates the recommendations of the public, the council, the Planning Commission and the developer. The site is one of the largest undeveloped tracts on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

The new design includes a single access to the development from Armaga Spring Road, a frontage road and lineal park parallel to Armaga Spring Road and a path through the southern half of the development that will offer pedestrians--principally Ridgecrest Intermediate School students--direct access to Highridge Road. The school is across Highridge Road from the development.

The public hearing on the development will resume Feb. 3