Ahmanson/Jordan Land Proposal

A proposed deal involving the Ahmanson and Jordan ranches would break a deadlock involving development of both properties. Under the proposal, more than 10,000 acres of mountain property in Los Angeles and Ventura counties would be put into public ownership. In return, parks agencies would pay $29.5 million to entertainer Bob Hope for most of the property. Moreover, two development firms--Potomac Investment Associates and Ahmanson Land Co.--would get approval to build two golf courses and more than 2,600 homes on the Ahmanson Ranch in eastern Ventura County.

1. Runkle Ranch--4,369 acres owned by Hope in Santa Susana Mountains. Includes part of Blind Canyon, under consideration by L.A. County Sanitation Districts as landfill. Property already transferred to Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, subject to resolution of dispute over future of Jordan Ranch.

2. Jordan Ranch--2,300 acres owned by Hope. Under new proposal, Potomac Investment would abandon its proposal to build homes and a golf course on Jordan Ranch, relocating project to Ahmanson Ranch. Jordan Ranch would be part of $29.5-million sale of Hope properties and would become part of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

3. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, part of national park system. Potomac and Hope had proposed acquiring 59 acres of federal parkland in Cheeseboro Canyon for access road to serve Jordan Ranch development. Under the new proposal, Jordan Ranch project would be abandoned and no federal land would be transferred.

4. Liberty Canyon--Hope property where Potomac Investment has planned another large development. Under new proposal, project would be scaled back and parks agencies would acquire about 300 acres of Liberty Canyon as part of $29.5-million buyout of Hope. Tract is considered key to protecting a wildlife corridor that permits movement of deer, bobcats and other large mammals between Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills.

5. Corral Canyon--Hope property where developers sought to build homes and a golf course and country club. Under new proposal, the 339 acres would be transferred to parks agencies as part of $29.5-million sale.

6. Ahmanson Ranch Parkland--About 3,025 acres would be deeded to parks agencies. In return, Ahmanson Land Co. and Potomac Investment would get approval from Ventura County to develop a huge residential and golf course project.

7. Combined Project Area--Site of more than 2,600 homes and two golf courses to be built in a joint venture between Ahmanson and Potomac.

See story A3