Hearst Property Values Placed Under Scrutiny

“Stop the Land Scam” (editorial, July 29) articulated well the position of anti-private property forces regarding the Hearst family’s effort to realize the true value of their considerable San Simeon holdings.

The Hearst family has owned the property in question since before most of California’s current residents’ forefathers could find our state on a map. Why shouldn’t they and any other California property owners expect a fair price in exchange for their land?

The editorial describes the tactics of the Hearst family as “legal extortion.” This is no different from the legal delay tactics used for more than 20 years by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The conservancy has used the courts to deny development permits to private property owners, driving down their properties’ value. Once low enough, the conservancy then offers to buy the property for a fraction of its fair market value. I don’t know which side will prevail in this dispute, but we can be certain that it will be settled in the courts. Ultimately, the decision will hinge on who has the better lawyers, the greater resources and, most important, the law on their side.

Sean McCarthy

West Hills

So, all these years the Hearst Corp. has underestimated the value of its land in Cambria. With a little gerrymandering, it turns out that there are lots of oceanfront lots instead of just one. Gee, isn’t that good news, or is it?

Let me be the first to officially blow the whistle and remind Hearst that, since the land has been assessed incorrectly for, according to its lawyers, over a century, the taxes assessed have also been incorrect. Exactly how much money do I get, for my retirement fund, for reminding the county tax assessor of this?

Arno Virant

San Gabriel

Over the last 25 years I have helped clients obtain many certificates of compliance prior to developing their property. The certificate of compliance process is one that is jealously guarded by local government and mandated by the Subdivision Map Act. A certificate of compliance indicates that the land, when divided, no matter how long ago, complied with all laws, ordinances and regulations that were in force at that time and that it was done in a legal matter. It is that simple. It is not a slick, legal gimmick or any type of scam.

Tom Bates

Topanga