Escrow Expected to Open on Broome Ranch Purchase

Escrow is scheduled to open today on the 640-acre Broome Ranch near Thousand Oaks, with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy expected to take possession of the ranch in 30 days.

Rorie Skei, a conservancy official, said that escrow was to open Wednesday but that because of last-minute problems unrelated to the land deal, some papers had not been signed in time. Instead, she said, escrow is expected to open today.

The conservancy, a state park agency, is purchasing the parcel in Newbury Park for $4.2 million from the estate of George P. Huck, the former landowner who died nine years ago.

The conservancy and the estate agreed to a purchase price last month but were required to wait 15 days to give creditors and other parties connected to the Huck estate a chance to file objections.

A single complaint filed by a creditor seeking $25,000 was filed and will be settled during escrow proceedings, said David Hardacre, an attorney representing the Huck estate.

The National Park Service, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the city of Thousand Oaks are negotiating to purchase portions of the Broome Ranch once the conservancy has taken possession.

Joseph T. Edmiston, executive director of the conservancy, said the Park Service will acquire at least 147 acres of the property and that the conservancy hopes to have an appraisal completed on the designated portion by the time escrow closes.