Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, with David Hansen

Sonoma County, a diverse county of over one million acres, is famed for its agriculture, industry and recreation, boasting a booming economy and unique lifestyle for its citizens. Described by the same Luther Burbank as the chosen spot of all the Earth, Sonoma County is the place to

live, work and play as we move into the 21st century. Led by the forward looking philosophy of its governing bodies, Cinema counties, 340,000 residents are, ah, harmonious, successful blend of ethnic and economic backgrounds. We invite you to take a closer look at Sonoma County in the

nineties with your host rich McGlinchy. How you doing, Everybody welcome to this edition of Sonoma County in the nineties. On location, we're on on location. That Kelly at Oakmont, which is located right in the heart of the Oakmont community, were out here because, ah, long time

friend of mine asked us to come on out here and feel more shows. And so we did. And I want to thank our guest here. Right, Bob? Shrek. Rob, Um, thank you. First of all, for having us out here to film Sonoma County in the nineties,

so welcome to the beautiful Oakmont and especially the Shelia Topman juggling and have naturally, food and hospitality is unsurpassed Oyster view. And, uh, we are very happy to accommodate your crew and everybody else. And now what's the next question? No next question, but a couple of

things I want to tell the audience. My wife, Ellen, and I went to black fours in about almost 30 years ago, the night Bob Shrek and his partner opened it. And we've been equated been friends ever since then. How long have you been out here at

Shelia? Richard? This is on the 19th year on, uh, we, uh, looking at both of us. We don't look any younger since then, but more mature. Thank you. I like that. It sounds very well, ladies and gentlemen, we just wanted you to know where this beautiful

setting Oakmont were at Shell A at Oakmont. We're here at the invitation of Bob Shrek and we'll be back in just a moment and we'll be talking with our guest on this program. Who is David Hanson, director of the Open Space district for Sonoma County? That's

my dad. And that's Mom. Dad. Gun idea. A way to get rid of all the grody. Garbage is polluting the world. He's invented a big rocket ship to shoot all of garbage into outer space. Mom's not sure. Dad says his invention will save the world. There's

an easier way to save the world. Recycle for your free recycling action guide. Right? Recycle Environmental Defense Fund to 57 Park Avenue, South New York, New York. Welcome back to this edition of Sonoma County in the nineties. On location, We're Chalet at Oakmont. Beautiful set spot,

I should say. Situated right in the heart of one. And we're going to talk now to our guest for this program. And that's David Hanson. He's a general manager of the agricultural preservation and open Space District. He was with us about a year ago, I think.

But lots have been nice to have you there. Nice to see you. Yeah. Yeah. And, ah, lot has been happening since then. I read about some of it good and bad. Okay, well, any time you start something that's as important as the open just making agricultural

preservation, you're gonna have a certain amount of, uh, you know, conflict. So Hey, I think you people are doing a splendid job. What properties and acreage has a district acquired since we talked last, which is probably over a year ago? Well, rich. We've acquired approximately 4000

acres of open space easements since that time, principally through the McCord ranch transaction, which was 3000 acres But many others as well. And we've spent about a 1,000,003 on that on those properties on we've acquired a number of them through the development process is well through

planning in the county, about 1000 acres through that process happening, you know, was going to locate the Air Force Academy here. And I think they may have anyway, I'm not sure. Well, I gave it. A lot of people probably wonder how you go about determining what

you were trying to require. So I guess what I'm saying is, can you explain the current focus of your acquisition program? The current focus is principally in the areas around the cities and on the highway 101 and Highway 12 corridors. We have, of course, to follow

the county general plan, open space element and the agricultural elements. But the focused through our acquisition plan is now within the category one areas which are the separators between the cities and around the cities. That is our focus at the current time. Okay, um, when was

the exposition plan adopted and doesn't also establish priorities is how you're supposed to do all this for what you're supposed to do. Yes. The plan itself was adopted by the Board of Supervisors, which is our board of directors on in December of 1992. And it has

a Siris of categories which are in a priority order category 12 and three. And we follow that priority in terms of category one lands being the first that we're pursuing. But it does not necessarily mean that we have to stay in that category. We can't acquire

within all categories, depending on certain criteria that we have within those within that plan. Your whole division, if you will, uh, began a result of the voters request. They approved this on determined this that should be established in Sonoma County. And after it was you select,

the new people have done that. I think I've done a good job. Um, how about the cost? What about the cost of land that you're either acquiring or considering requiring is it reasonable? Well, I think in terms of those purchases that I mentioned earlier, they've averaged

about $370 an acre for the easement. So you can't beat that in terms of offers we have on the table or recommendation recommended offers. We have the about 10 offers on the table for the tune of about $3.3 million. So we're looking a little increase in

that price to something around 3000 offers, Yes, on the table. Turn offers for properties and fill it. That is not that is not a whole lot here you're talking about an average three knows. That's right. So we're looking That's a steal. Good prices. Yeah, it certainly

is. Um, how are you determining the value of the lands and the and the conservation easements that you'll be acquiring? How do you evaluate that? But we have a contract ID with independent appraisers. We do all of our appraisals under contract, and we have a gone

through a process of obtaining a list of 11 appraisers, principally in Sonoma County, who have expertise and conservation and open space easement evaluation. Evaluating and we utilize them to help us determine fair market value. We do pay a fair amount for appraisal work, but we feel

that that is a way that we can guarantee that the public dollars well spent. Yeah. Um, well, the McCord transaction appeared controversial. A lot of newspaper space, anything that either color for misunderstood or what have he gets a lot of newspaper space. I know that used

to be a reporter, but can you tell us why it was You feel really good acquisition? It was controversial for several reasons. I think principally people felt it did not focus in that city centre corridor. And there were some implications of conflict with the land trust,

and they're open Space Advisory Committee. But we felt it was a good acquisition one, because the price was incredible at 700,000 for 3000 acre easement, the second waas that there was the potential for development of that property with up to 27 units subdivision in that area,

and that would have opened up the entire area to development. Also, we felt because it was a court action going on, that the time was of the essence and we needed to act immediately. I think it was more in the process that we were questioned and

that the controversy came up not so much in the value of the property. And I think 100 years from now people will look at that and say That was a great acquisition. Well, I think David really intruded on the acquisition. Two people have made thus far

have really been excellent. The point is, people stopped Do not really stop and think of the value of property in Sonoma County. That's a exorbitant almost. And when you people go out and find these magnificent But such is the record a project and are able to

acquire this for a fraction of the valued pay for that kind of property. If you were talking commercially, I think the in all sincerity I think to publicos you, you and your staff a real voter confidence. Thank you. Yeah, I really mean that sincerely, because I

watched carefully and hurdle the furor and the misunderstandings in many cases, part of others. But what kind of well, you should call him joint projects. Will the city be whether with your your agency be involved with cities or other district. Will you be doing joining with

them and and going into projects? Certainly we will. We, uh we've actually done one project already jointly with the state Coastal Conservancy. The cloudy band acquisition. In fact, the Conservancy paid 2/3 of the cost of that easement. The district only paid 1/3 but we will be

working very closely with the city's. We've just passed to them the a joint acquisition program that we have formulated that was allowed through our legislation. And we're hoping that the cities will work with us on that matching grant program to past projects to West that we

could work jointly on. We can always work with the city's on any projects. But this was a particular program that we set up for them and will be working with other potentially other entities. Were developing policies, toe work with other entities first, and then we will

be proceeding to work with perhaps regional parks or others toe to assist in the acquisition of land protection of lands. Let me e won't throw you a curve. I don't ask you for something that I didn't have jotted down here. to ask you, but I think

that's important. Um, there's there's been a huge pro and con over trail long centers Creek. Now I know I'm in one section of that have been a big fear or there about a certain area. The creek definitely would not accept a path, and as a result,

the planners have eliminated that section of it. But will did Yolks most district be involved in the acquisition of things like that are not well, not necessarily of trail easements. That's really principally the focus of regional parks. But we certainly will be looking at areas that

have the potential for regional trails corridors, so to speak in the future. But the district is not acquiring land for trails at this time. We do see, obviously, Santa Rosa Creek is a very important project, as it Sonoma Creek and other right paren areas Petaluma River

that we will be working to help protect and acquire rights and make sure that those areas are protected and enhanced. That's good. Um, what type of recreational uses do you anticipate or plan to have happen in distant lands? Well, I think where we may be acquiring

lands and fee or working with a particular park agency, we will be looking, Ah, a policy, a district policy of essentially low key kinds of uses writing, hiking, nature study things like things of that nature in those areas, depending on who is managing them and so

forth. We are currently have out with the city's A policy on our recreational proposals, recreational uses on district lands and that will be adopted by the board very shortly. All right, now take a look at where you are right now. Today and then What type of

properties is the district looking for? Considering for acquisition at this time? Well, it's a combination of lands. We have agricultural lands, of course, in the areas that of the category one. And outside of that that we're looking at the protection of the agricultural uses. We have,

ah, natural resource areas such as the creeks and ah, significant wildlife areas. Uh, and areas of visual significance along the highways that people can see and say that Sonoma County. That's why I love Cinema County. Well, I think that, uh I don't think this was planned

that way, but a beautiful use of open faces this beautiful expanse behind us out here. I think they just, uh murder has been a long commended and there's a lot of awards for planning the community. Oh, but certainly this is a beautiful use of the land

out here in the mountains, in the background. Make a marvelous scene. Um, are you looking at ranch lands to purchase those? We're not necessarily looking to purchase and fee ranch lands, but we're really concentrating our conservation easement program in those areas. We've had some difficulty in

that. Many of those lands are in the lower categories at the current time, but we are definitely looking at ranch lands. And in fact, the of the three purchases the district acquired first they were all ranching properties. Wanna she branch with with hey uses and, ah,

the McCord ranch is a beef cattle ranch. And and she pa's well, And then the Marty property is was also cattle raising area adjacent highway one a one. So we are definitely looking at ranch lands. We are looking at ways of increasing our acquisition program through

easements in these areas are encountering any problem. And in when you look at ranch land is somebody protesting that this should be kept in a production or something of that nature. I don't understand why you would be because I mean that land. If it's only for

Pastor, in many cases it except for the fact that it's nice to see it open it. It doesn't seem to be very valuable. Well, what do you do in a case like that? Well, I think in some areas that it may be a changing agricultural use.

And in fact, some of these separator areas were former ranch lands or orchards or other kinds of uses, and we see them as being renovated again. They may have been acquired for speculation. And now that, uh, we have created the county general Plan that we can

see these lands being acquired by the district or protected by the district and then fruits and vegetables, other kinds of farming going on within these areas where they have occurred in the perhaps 50 years ago in the earlier days. And of course, the farmers like the

market close to home, and this would be an ideal situation if they could get the water. I always interested in talking about Lance and when we moved to Sonoma County was over 50 years ago. We've got in the center of Minute Valley and from there into

town, I think there were about a dozen maybe 20 residences for that old nine miles. And now it's just a just all been developed pretty much really some larger parcels. But most everything's been developed out there. And I think that you probably thought you might possibly

getting some flak, if you will, about developing ranch land. But in most cases, I think judgment to people have used his excellent. We're gonna pause right here and bring the public of public service announcement after which David Hanson and I will return to Sonoma County. The

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second chance. Welcome back to this edition of Sonoma County. The nineties on location. Where in Shell A. At Oakmont, Right in the heart of the Open. Our community. We're here talking with David Hanson, the general manager of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.

And that is a mouthful, isn't it? Say you know one thing I thought of a while ago when we first began to talk and talk about you being with us For past couple of years. Since the district was created. You have some folks working with. You

have a staff who's working with you in this project. But we have a staff of five with two interns. I have a secretary, of course. Carol von von Oh uh, and ah, planner Maria Cipriani, who did work for the county planning department before Ruth Static is

my assistant, and she works on budget. She's a former park ranger and owns a farm up in Healdsburg and then the Net. Richards and Bud Kanoute's in our to right of way people who are working with us on the acquisition side of things, and you also

make room for a couple of interns. That's correct. That's excellent. All right, we were talking. We're talking with David. I should say he is the as I said So mechanic, agricultural preservation and open Space District general manager. And we've had forgotten to mention all the other

folks that work with him and thought we should. But we're talking about the acquisitions they've made to date and the things that they have in mind for future in order that they will acquire lands that are available to keep him in open space. for you and

me and our kids and grandkids. Um, David, what geographical areas of the county are you at the president seeking to acquire property. Well, as I mentioned before, we are looking in the highway corridors principally at this time and the and the hillsides alongside those areas in

terms of visual impact and protecting those areas. But we're also looking all over the county at various properties on the coast, on and so forth. Priorities, of course, are close to the cities and around that area. The Bayfront we're looking at areas is I mentioned San

Pablo Bayfront and along the along the coast as well. David, One thing that well, I mean, I'll get back to it in just a minute. Um, what process is required for acquisition by your district? But we have a formal process in which we can only deal

with willing sellers so that we make a contact with the owner either through them contacting us, which has been the principal way that they've come to us. Over the last year or so, we've had about 150 owners contact us with the well over 40 50,000 acres

of land. But we of course, don't deal with all of them. Once we made a contact and we've discussed the program with them. Then we asked them to write a letter of consideration or a letter to us about their intent of work toe work with us,

and we run it through, Ah, our advisory committee to see that they feel it is it is Ah, good acquisition. We also go to the open Space Authority, which is our funding entity, to make sure that that property is going conformity with the county general plan

and with their expenditure plan. And then we proceed into negotiations on appraisal work. Finally, the board, of course, makes the final decision, and we tell people it's about a six month process in it. But it can go longer than that. But certainly six months is is

the time we normally take I don't know for a fact, I really don't know this. Its secrecy a big deal here. Do you have to kind of keep these proposals? These potential transactions? Ah, close. Well, we obviously being a public entity, we've got to be a

Zopa Nas. We can, but many owners obviously do not want to know that we're working with them. So we try to keep the actual details in terms of finances of the confidential up until the point where it comes to to the board and so forth. Once

it goes to the board, it is public knowledge and as to what the district is spending, and but that's usually when we haven't agreed to contract with the owner, the word secret was probably a bad word. Confidential. Better because I know that that is important in

property transactions. Um, David, can you describe to us how your district manages its properties? Well, of course, we having just acquired Ah, a few properties were getting into that process. Now, on Maria, the planner, uh, works with what we call baseline documentation. When we acquire a

property, we developed a format of taking pictures of the site and working with the owner in approving what? What is within that conservation easement. Then we have an annual possibility of going in and reviewing the properties once a year to see that they're in conformity on

the easement. Obviously, when we get the feeling hands, we will because we own them. We'll have a little more responsibility, and that will depend on probably passing many of these lands to county a regional parks and having them managing for us. But I'm looking forward to

working with other entities. And if we do acquire feet, feet title properties and for Loki Recreation David, how does the public become informed of or involved with your district activities? Well, we have, ah, open public meetings. The advisory committee is open once a month, usually on

the third Thursday of the month in the county administrators meeting room. The Open Space Authority is a public meeting, and they hold monthly meetings as well, where the public can come and get input. Our offices are always open, and I think your officers okay, where 2300

county Center drive, which is a low plaza building very near the county center but will be moving in a month to 4 15 Russell Street that we've just signed a lease for a building opposite Kaiser Hospital that will have a little more room for us and

give us a separate, tense and distinct identity. But we'll still be close to the county for working with the county. Wonderful idea really, really. It should have an individual distinctive location. I think, Um, there's a Land Owners handbook. How will let us this property owners and

understanding how to preserve their properties? Well, first of all, the Land Owner's Handbook we're talking about here. This is a an idea that we have to produce a small handbook, not a not a Bible of any sorts, but it's enough. It's a handbook that will outline

the district process. What our methodology is, how we can comme best explain the process that we go through that I've mentioned earlier for a landowner to get involved in us. It explains that we can only deal with willing sellers and what a conservation easement is, how

we manage the lands and or the easement in the future. And all of the details that we normally explain to them are and will be in writing. And it will give them an idea, even if they have not worked with the district on whether they may

want to work with the district in the future. You know something else that I heard of this recently? Here there is a landowners workshop. I believe it is cold and that you're planning Teoh to hold that and you're gonna do it in conjunction with the Farm

Bureau, which I think it's a splendid idea. But what will that entail? Well, we we felt that the district while many people may think it's a panacea to, say farmland, we feel it. Ah, there are a lot of other methods that people can do to protect

the family farm. And with the Farm Bureau being the lead an hour without cooperation, we felt that we could show people other methods for protecting their lands. Charitable remainder trusts through texts, methodology, um, through ah, long term sales, many other methods that we felt we could

bring some information to the farming community in terms of how to protect their farms. Well, the good thing about your district, David, is it was not only approved, it was desired by the public in general, they wanted something of this nature and one of somebody doing

what you folks are doing now. How do you envisage Envision, if you will, the district expanding in terms of your staff needs. I don't see us getting very large much larger than we are, although because we are a 20 year district, actually, 18 years now for

for our funding, Um, mechanism. Certainly. I see the staff growing by only probably doubling or tripling, but not getting anything to the size, say, of public works or some other county department. We have a direct focus. We have, AH policy right now to try and keep

our operating expenditures to 5% of total budget. And we've managed to do that and we'll so we'll keep us well informed. Ah, professional staff, but not grow too much. One other thing I think we should cover here. The Open Space Authority has discussed financing options. Now,

what do we mean by this? And when you expand on a little bit, well, the open space authority, which is the funding board, has been looking into the possibilities of leveraging this district funding because of the the flat real estate market. At this time in the

low interest rates, we're not necessarily or they're not necessarily looking at bonding per se, but looking at it ways of increasing the ability to get lands early at a good price and, of course, save money for the taxpayers, perhaps entering into some debt. But that is

still in discussion. And the appropriateness of that and so forth is still to be discussed by the authority and that, well, there's those will be public meetings. And people can come and make their feelings known about whether the district should get involved in stretching their dollars

at this time. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, we've been talking. Well, first of all, it's Norma County nineties on location shall A at Oakmont. We've been talking with David Hanson, the general manager of the Snowmen County Agricultural Preservation and Open

Space District. Been telling us all about this agency which was formed a couple years ago as result of you the voters decision telling us what poppies required and what they plan to do in the future. We think they're doing a great job or certainly doing an

important job. And David, once again, congratulations on the job. Done. Thank you. And good luck in the future. Appreciate it. Let it, Gentlemen, my name. Which country? The programs in Omagh County in the nineties on location. Shell A at Oakland And with the next week with

another member, the kind of government family until in by good luck, good, healthy. Each and every one of you