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Monrovia council approves letter of intent to buy 347 North Highland Place to add to wilderness preserve
Summary
The Monrovia City Council approved a letter of intent on July 21 to acquire 347 North Highland Place for $2,000,000 plus a 5% contingency, using restricted open-space funds and a $831,124 impact-fee allocation; the purchase is contingent on title review and other due diligence.
Monrovia’s City Council on July 21 approved a letter of intent to purchase a 7.8‑acre parcel at 347 North Highland Place for $2,000,000, plus a 5% contingency, a move staff said would expand the city’s Hillside Wilderness Preserve and prevent a proposed three‑home development on the ridge.
City Manager Dylan told the council staff and the property owner have reached a verbal agreement on the acquisition and that the parcel is contiguous with city‑owned wilderness preserve land. Dylan said the sale price aligns with recent appraisals and that the city would not pay brokerage fees; the owner agreed to demolish existing structures and restore the site to natural grade before closing.
Why it matters: staff said the site meets the city’s resource and open‑space goals by adding trails and protecting habitat and views. The city plans to rezone the property as Hillside Wilderness Preserve after acquisition, which staff noted would require a public vote to reverse the designation in the future.
Staff outlined funding sources for the purchase: $831,124 would come from open‑space impact fees tied to the Station Square South development, and the balance would come from the Hillside Acquisition Capital Project Fund. The staff presentation said the city currently holds almost $2.2 million in a restricted open‑space fund available for acquisitions.
City staff stressed the transaction is conditional. The purchase agreement and any closing would be contingent on a review and acceptance of title exceptions; staff said a recently obtained title report showed historical encumbrances dating back decades that need to be cleared or accepted before closing. The city attorney and staff will complete title and due‑diligence work, finalize a purchase‑and‑sale agreement and open escrow if terms are acceptable.
Todd Bowden, managing partner of 347 North Highland Place LLC, told the council he and the owners were willing to work with the city and supported the sale as the best path forward for the neighborhood and the land.
The council debated follow‑up steps and asked staff to return with final documents. Council member Spicer moved to approve the letter of intent and authorize the city manager to execute a purchase‑and‑sale agreement not to exceed $2,000,000 with a 5% contingency; Council member Bridal seconded with the condition that staff continue follow‑up on title matters. The motion carried on a 3‑0 vote with Mayor Shevlin recused from the matter.
Next steps listed by staff include finalizing the letter of intent and purchase‑and‑sale agreement, opening escrow, coordinating demolition of existing structures per the seller’s agreement, installing temporary fencing and signage for public safety, and initiating a zoning amendment to designate the land as Hillside Wilderness Preserve.
