R. H. Estates : School Site Purchase OKd

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to acquire at least nine acres of the former Dapplegray Intermediate School site, 3011 Palos Verdes Drive North, for open space and recreation.

The city has already begun negotiations with the Palos Verdes Peninsula school district for an agreement that would allow development of 61 homes on the 43-acre site in exchange for nine acres of parkland, City Manager Raymond B. Taylor said.

In a motion by Councilman Jerome Belsky, the council also agreed to pursue the possible purchase of a larger portion of the Dapplegray site under a law known as the Naylor Act, which would enable the city to buy 12.9 acres for 25% of the estimated market value.

This proposal, which would cost the city about $410,000, was backed by the city Parks and Activities Commission and representatives of Little League and equestrian groups, who urged the council to purchase as much parkland as the city can afford.

According to Taylor, the city would purchase the 12.9 acres rather than enter into the nine-acre agreement only if residents support an assessment district or special parcel tax.

A parcel tax would have to be approved by a two-thirds vote, Taylor said. An assessment district could be formed without voter approval, but if 51% of property owners object to the assessment at public hearings or in correspondence to the city, the the district would be dissolved, Taylor said.