Landmark Rock to Become City’s--for $699,000

It’s official: Eagle Rock, that beak-nosed sandstone landmark of the community of the same name, is about to go public.

The new role for the old rock came about with a Los Angeles City Council vote on Tuesday to pay $699,000 to the rock’s owner to settle a lawsuit he had filed against the city.

With payment, the city Recreation and Parks Department will take possession of the rock and 2.5 acres of surrounding land from its current owner, Frederic A. Heim, an Encino businessman who was a former controversial member of the city’s Harbor Commission.

“It’s the logo of our community,” said Jim Beckham, president of the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce. “To us, it’s very meaningful. We’re happy about this.”

Heim could not be reached for comment on the council action, initiated by Councilman Richard Alatorre, who represents the Eagle Rock community. Kevin Brogan, Heim’s attorney, said only that the action was welcomed by his client.

Eagle Rock has a colorful history. Its caves were used as hide-outs by outlaws and Native Americans and even as havens for hives by a local beekeeper, according to local lore. In 1961, the City Council declared it a cultural-historic landmark.

The Eagle Rock chamber, service clubs and youth groups have been battling since the late 1980s to block Heim’s plans to build an apartment complex at the foot of the 50-foot-high landmark next to the Ventura Freeway.

Amid the clamor, Alatorre intervened in 1991 to have the city begin condemnation proceedings to take possession of Heim’s property under eminent domain rules.

What followed were sharp disputes between Heim and the city about how much the city should pay for the site, with the owner saying his property was worth more than $1 million and the city saying it was worth $500,000.

Finally, Heim sued the city, saying the municipality was trying to stiff him and was dragging its feet on reaching a settlement.

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The case never went to trial. But Tuesday, the council agreed to resolve the case after city officials presented a plan to pay the $699,000 tab from a patchwork of city, county and state funds.

Despite the council action, the terms of the settlement dismayed at least one Eagle Rock champion.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Beckham said. “We’re happy, but it just seems--given the times--that the amount is awfully high. That’s a lot of money.”