CC MIN 1970 - Laserfiche WebLink

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177 PUBLIC HEARING, Resolution of Intention to establish an Agricultural Preserve, declared open and affidavit of publication ordered filed. Resolution of Intention No. 6258 was adopted by Council on April 6, 1970, setting public hearing on application of Leslie Salt Company for contract with the City for establishment of their Salt Crystallizer Pond as an Agricultural Preserve. Planning Commission had previously made the finding that such designation was consistent with BCDC recommendations and County's open space requirements. Councilman Arnett noted for the record that communications had been received from both the Sequoia Union High School District and Redwood City School District, in which it was indicated the districts would take no position either to approve or oppose the application. It was brought out in Council discussion that BCDC has not specifically taken a position on this request, and the City Manager noted that a memorandum had been issued by BCDC relating to their feeling as to creation of agricultural preserves and offering to review specific proposals affecting areas within their jurisdiction, Council expressed concern as to effects of reserving the area as open space, and City Manager noted that the application covers what is largely a crystallizer pond area, which was the heart of the salt -making operation and as long as the Leslie Company will be engaged in production of salt through solar evaporation method, this would be needed, He referred to information submitted to Council which provided estimates of effect on taxes at the levels of City, County and School Districts. In the event of approval of the application, the effect on Redwood -- City would be reduction of taxes by $7,105.69, under the estimates provided by the County Assessor. He pointed out that reduction of taxes occurs on re- evaluation of land only, and that improvements on the land are not affected by placing the area in an agricultural preserve. Those improvements would continue to be appraised and assessed in accordance with existing practice. Also, should the land be placed under such designation, there was assurance it would remain so until such time as Council determines it should be put to a different use, either at the request of Leslie, at the end of the 10 -year period, or the City finds that it is to be put to other than agricultural preserve use. Area involved is relatively small, and he noted this was the position the school districts had taken. At the request of Mayor Bury, letter from Joseph Grimes, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, Redwood City School District, was read in full. Councilman Keckley requested clarification of Section in the agreement concerning cancellation, in which prior to giving approval to cancellation, City Council shall determine amount of cancellation fee. City Attorney responded that, in the event of cancellation prior to actual expiration of the agreement, the Williamson Act provides the fee may be imposed in an amount that in effect would be the amount of taxes saved as a result of having the property in reserve, so that should early cancellation occur, so-called "lost taxes" could be recovered in an amount formally ascertained by the Tax Assessor. He added that early cancellation could mean any time.