160-Acre Parcel May Be Preserved as Parkland
A parcel of land between Westlake Village and Malibu, deeded to the state to settle $1.2 million in taxes owed by the estate of the late film director Frank Capra, may be converted to parkland to prevent its sale for private use.
The unusual swap, which requires approval by the state Legislature, is designed to preserve the 160-acre parcel as the key link to completing the Backbone Trail through the Santa Monica Mountains.
A bill by Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) was approved by an appropriations committee last week and is scheduled to be heard by the full Senate this week, Kuehl aide Syrus Devers said Monday.
“It’s really hard to overestimate the value of this land,” Devers said. “It’s environmentally priceless.”
The measure would allow the state controller, who took possession of the tract to satisfy estate taxes, to turn the property over to the state Department of Parks and Recreation. The bill requires approval by the Assembly and must be signed by the governor by Aug. 31.
Federal, state and local officials have been seeking to acquire the property, composed of rugged ridges and undeveloped canyons, since work on the 70-mile Backbone Trail from Will Rogers State Park west to Point Mugu began 20 years ago.
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