LAGUNA BEACH : Toll Road Deal in Canyon Finalized

A controversial land swap that will clear the way for a proposed toll road through scenic Laguna Canyon was quietly consummated this month as 137 acres known as Sycamore Hills changed hands from the city to the county.

A $1-million down payment for the property was made in 1978, but the land swap became increasingly controversial over the years as the city stepped up its opposition to the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road. Even within the last couple of months, city officials toyed with the idea of backing out of the sale.

“There’s tremendous opposition to the corridor and this now opens the way for the county to transfer the corridor right of way” to the county agency handling the project, Assistant City Manager Rob Clark said Friday.

Despite the opposition, Clark said the city had to accept the final $7.6-million payment for the property last week.

“The city was obligated to sell it for the corridor (under) the original agreement,” Clark said.

The undeveloped land is near the junction of El Toro and Laguna Canyon roads. About 69 acres will be used for the proposed toll road and the balance for a regional park. The land remains within city boundaries.

A portion of the money is expected to be applied toward the city’s $78-million purchase of the nearby Laguna Canyon property owned by the Irvine Co. The county has also promised $10 million toward that land purchase but has warned the city not to file a lawsuit to block construction of the toll road.