Frequently Asked Questions
Parkland and Open Space: General Information
Costs Associated with an Open Space Preservation District
Community Benefits
Community Outreach
Voting/Ballot Information
Parkland and Open Space: General Information
What is the purpose of an Open Space Preservation District?
To preserve natural land from development and complete a greenbelt buffer of preserved open space around the City of Santa Clarita, in order to help control growth, traffic and crime in order to maintain our quality of life.
What is the duration of the Preservation District?
The Open Space Preservation District would sunset after 30 years.
Who decides if the Preservation District is going to be created?
The City will send ballots to the owners of every parcel of property in the City. If 50% or more of the weighted ballots returned to the City Clerk approve of the District proposal, then it can be formed.
Do you have any examples of successful Districts?
There are many successful Districts around the State including the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Ventura County and the City of Palmdale.
We as City residents are paying for this, yet unincorporated residents will also reap the benefits, what gives?
At this time, the District will not be expanded beyond the City’s boundaries. A city can only create a special district within its city limits. While unincorporated residents will reap the benefits, development that takes place outside of the City naturally has an impact on City residents. The proposed City of Santa Clarita Open Space Preservation District will help provide funds to purchase land before it is lost to development forever.
What are the chances of a future City Council selling these lands for development? Is the City going to deed restrict the land?
The City Council will deed restrict any purchases made from District funds, thus insuring that the lands purchased are saved from development in perpetuity.
Who will be represented on the Financial Accountability and Audit Panel? How do you ensure that the committee isn’t tailored to meet one specific interest or group?
The membership of the panel will be comprised of five (5) members. Each City Councilmember will nominate one (1) member. The City Council is interested in selecting residents from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, education, geographic areas of the City and interest areas. This will help to insure that a broad spectrum of thoughts, ideas and recommendations are brought forth. Additionally, no panel member shall have a conflict of interest as provided by the Political Reform Act and the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Will this new Open Space Preservation District slow growth?
The district will have an impact on the amount and rate of growth by buying land and preserving it as permanent open space and taking it off the open market before it is developed.
What happens if this Open Space Preservation District does not pass?
If it does not pass, the City will have limited opportunities to preserve open space, and land for parks.
Does the Open Space Preservation District just have provisions for the purchase of land for open space and parks, or does it also include construction and maintenance of parks and land as well?
The Preservation District would used solely for the purchase and preservation of land for open space and active parkland.
I understand that the majority of development in this Valley is actually occurring outside the City boundaries, in the County, unincorporated area. How do you justify having City residents pay for new open space and parkland acquisitions when the County is actually the primary agency bringing in the majority of housing development?
The Preservation District would give the City a seat at the table to purchase land that could otherwise be developed. Right now, there is a small window of opportunity to purchase land that would likely become new housing developments. Providing City residents with a green belt buffer around the City and adding more parcels earmarked for open space and parkland is a key tool for the City to preserve our quality of life and protect us from development.
Costs Associated with an Open Space Preservation District
What is the break down for expenditures of these District funds?
Funds derived from the District will fund the acquisition of acres of undeveloped land in the following ration: at least 90% of the acres purchased will be preserved natural open space, and no more than 10% of the acres will be used for improved active parkland.
How much will the City see per year from the formation of this District?
The City estimates it will collect about $1.556 million per year from the assessments.
How will the funds be managed?
All funds collected by the Preservation District will be held by the City of Santa Clarita in a special account and can only be used for the purposes set forth in the engineer’s report. An annual audit must be conducted on funds expended. An annual public hearing must also be held on the preservation district budget.
Do I pay $25.00 per year no matter the size of my lot or house?
The assessment is based on the benefit each parcel receives from the improvements and maintenance provided by the district. All single family homes are considered to derive the same benefit, no matter the size of the lot or home. The cost to City homeowners would be about $25.00 per year. Commercial, industrial and multi-family parcels will be assessed at a rate commensurate with the benefit those properties will receive.
Is the $25.00 a year fixed for life?
Under Proposition 218, any increase in the assessment must be approved by a vote of district property owners. The $25.00 rate is the maximum rate authorized for fiscal year 2007-2008. This maximum allowable rate can be increased by a maximum of $1 per year. The actual rate charged each year will be decided by the City Council at an annual public hearing and cannot exceed the annual maximum rate without going through another balloting process.
Can the City raise the increase above the $1.00 per year?
No. The annual assessment for the Open Space Preservation District cannot increase by more than $1.00 per benefit unit (a single family home is one benefit unit).
What about mobile homes, condos and apartments?
Mobile homes, condos and apartments are not exempt from the assessment. These types of properties will pay less than a single-family home on a per-dwelling unit basis. Condos and apartment owners will pay three-quarters of the amount per dwelling unit, and a mobile home in a mobile home park will pay half of the amount. Please note that only property owners will receive a ballot. Renters and those who do not own property within the City will not be sent a ballot.
Isn’t this another tax?
The Preservation District is legally classified as a benefit assessment district, not a tax because the amount of the assessment is based on the special benefit received. A tax is tied to the assessed value of a property. This is one of the distinctions between a special assessment and a property tax.
If I’m a renter and the property owner is going to just pass the cost of this onto me, why don’t I have a say? How can I, as a renter, be an advocate?
State law requires that only property owners get to cast ballots in assessment proceedings, as they will be paying the assessments as part of their property tax bills. As a renter, you can contact the property owner and let him or her know how you feel about the proposed District, and you can be an advocate by contacting any Advocacy Group that is formed to support or oppose this effort.
I’m on a fixed income, are there exemptions for seniors?
State law allows seniors who meet certain requirements to postpone payment of their property taxes, including benefit assessments. For more information, go to http://www.sco.ca.gov/col/taxinfo/ptp/index.html or call 1-800-952-5661.
Is this District a tax deduction for me as a property owner?
The District’s assessment will appear on your Property tax bill. You should discuss whether or not to claim this as a tax deduction with your tax preparer.
Currently, developers support open space and parks. What affect will this District have on their contribution?
The City charges developers a special park fee called QUIMBY that will still be charged to developers with the passage of this Preservation District.
Can the City use its eminent domain powers to purchase property that would be paid for from the Preservation District?
The City Council is generally opposed to such methods; however California law makes it possible although not preferable. Our experience is that this is a costly and divisive route to take.
Is the amount that would be derived from the passage of this Preservation District really enough to purchase land and build new parks?
The amount the City would receive annually from the assessment is about $1.556 million. In addition to this, the assessment district requires the City Council provide additional funding for the Preservation District program and the City would also have the option to utilize fees to finance a loan, thus providing a larger lump sum for land acquisition and building and refurbishing parks.
Community Benefits
What’s this greenbelt around the City?
For several years, the City has been working to purchase land around the City to create a buffer zone of preserved, undeveloped property called a greenbelt. At this time, about 50% has been acquired as open space to be preserved in perpetuity. The funds from this District will help guarantee that this effort is continued and completed.
Is the City restricted to purchasing open space within the City?
The City can purchase land both inside and outside the City limits.
Will the open space areas all be closed to the public or will some of it be available for public use, such as for hiking?
At least 90% of the acres purchased will be preserved as natural open space, and no more than 10% of acres purchased will be used for future improved active parkland.
Does the City own land right now that could be developed as parks, field space, trails, etc. with the funds from the passage of this Open Space and Parkland Preservation District?
Yes, the City does own land and has plans completed for park and trail projects that could be completed with the passage of this Preservation District.
Community Outreach
How are the property owners going to be informed ahead of time about this?
The City will be providing educational materials via brochures, a website at www.moreopenspaceandparkland.com. Speakers from the community will also be available to address local groups. If you are interested in a speaker addressing your group, contact the City at 661-286-4068. Ballots, along with the instructions on casting your ballot and information about the Preservation District, will be mailed at least 45 days prior to the date required for return of the ballots.
How will you communicate to the out of the area property owners?
All property owners who own property within the City—regardless of where they live – will be receiving a ballot and public educational materials via mail about the proposed District.
Voting/Ballot Information
How many parcels in the City will be receiving the ballot?
We estimate that there are approximately 51,280 parcels within the City and each will be sent a ballot.
What does the balloting process entail?
The proceedings which govern the balloting process and establishment of the district is done in strict compliance with the 1996 Taxpayers Right to Vote on Taxes Act (Proposition 218), which was authored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Association, and its implementing legislation. All property owners are mailed a notice and ballot at least 45 days before a Public Hearing. Ballots must be returned before the end of the public hearing for them to count. Ballots are weighted by each property’s proposed assessment amount. If 50% or more of the weighted ballots cast are in support of the District, then the City Council can form it, otherwise, the District cannot be formed.
How many votes count per household?
Only property owners can participate in the balloting and each property casts only one ballot per property. The value of each ballot is weighted based on the amount of the assessment that property would have to pay, should the district be formed. If the property has multiple owners, only one property owner needs to sign the ballot. If more than one property owner wishes to cast a ballot, arrangements may be made for proportional ballots to be issued, but the total weight of the property’s entire ballot would not change.
What’s the minimum number of votes needed for this to be a legitimate process?
There is no minimum needed, which is why it is so important that property owners return their ballots.
What is Proposition 218?
Passed in 1996, Proposition 218 – the Taxpayers Right to Vote on Taxes Act – limits the authority of local governments to impose taxes and property-related assessments, fees and charges. Any proposed assessments, fees or charges must be submitted to the property owners for approval or rejection.
How does Proposition 218 apply to the Preservation District?
The proceedings which govern the balloting process and establishment of the district is in strict compliance with the 1996 Taxpayers Right to Vote on Taxes Act (Proposition 218), which was authored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Association, and its implementing legislation. The basic premise of the law is that only property owners (as opposed to renters or residents outside of the assessment districts) should be able to vote on a new assessment on their property. The only way to reach all property owners (including unregistered voters) is by mailed ballot.
