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COSCA approves purchase of six small lots (APN 6730280130) near Southern Ridge for $38,000
Summary
COSCA approved buying a 0.46‑acre grouping of six legal lots (APN 6730280130) in the Southern Ridge area from Drew Klein for $38,000, with a budget appropriation not to exceed $42,000 from the COSCA trust fund; the purchase was cleared under CEQA exemptions and approved 5–0.
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency on Jan. 24 approved a purchase and sale agreement to acquire assessor’s parcel number 6730280130 — a tax parcel composed of six underlying legal lots totaling about 0.46 acre — from seller Drew Klein for $38,000 and authorized an appropriation not to exceed $42,000 from the COSCA trust fund for purchase and closing costs.
Brian Stark, COSCA staff, described the parcel as steeply sloped, located in the Southern Ridge open space area with frontage on South Ventu Park Road, and covered in mature native chaparral. Stark said the purchase price of $38,000 was based on a contemporary appraisal. He told the board the transaction consolidates multiple small lots into agency ownership and reduces future paperwork and management complexity.
Stark proposed, and the board approved, a finding that the acquisition is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the common‑sense exemption and several exemptions for minor actions that protect wildlife, maintain open‑space character and transfer land for preservation. Director Nichols asked clarifying questions about the parcel configuration, the reason the county no longer tracks some small lots and a typographical error in the draft agreement’s attention line that incorrectly listed the attention name. Stark acknowledged the likely typo and confirmed Rosemary Ku should be credited as the assistant city attorney on the document.
The board approved the staff recommendation and appropriation by roll call; the meeting record shows “motion carries 5 0.” The staff recommendation included authority for the co‑administrative officer or designee to execute escrow documents and accept the deed subject to resolution of any liens or encumbrances.
Next steps: staff will finalize escrow and title work, resolve any outstanding liens or encumbrances, and record the acquisition in COSCA’s parcel inventory once the deed is accepted.
