TOPANGA CANYON : Board OKs Purchase of Canyon Oaks Site
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy board this week approved the purchase of land that had been proposed for the controversial Canyon Oaks Estates development, moving one step closer to securing the hilly property as open space.
The action Monday night solidifies the state agency’s surprise announcement of its intention to buy the property, just minutes before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors was scheduled to consider approving the project earlier this month.
The unanimous vote by the conservancy board sends the proposed $19.9-million purchase of the land to the supervisors, who will consider approving about 75% of the funds at its regular March 29 meeting.
The rest of the money would come from state park funds or fund-raising efforts, said Carolyn Barr, project manager for the conservancy.
“There are basically two hurdles left,” Barr said. “The first is the approval of the whole negotiation by the Board of Supervisors. Then we have to find the other funds.”
If the supervisors fail to approve funds for the deal and escrow is not closed by April 5, the battle over Canyon Oaks will probably resume as quickly as it stopped. The board is still scheduled to consider the development proposal April 12, and the landowners are still interested in building Canyon Oaks. If the project is built after all, it will likely include a golf course and 97 homes.
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