Hearing April 18 to approve Clemmens Lane park purchase

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors set an April 18 hearing date to approve the purchase of .56 acres for the future Clemmens Lane Park.

The supervisors’ 5-0 vote March 21 also authorizes the reallocation of $100,000 of 2006-07 Community Development Block Grant funds, allowing for the purchase of the park in a location different than what was stipulated in the CDBG funding plan, and allocates an additional $213,859 of appropriations for the purchase from a state grant which cannot currently be used for the future San Luis Rey River Park.

The site on Clemmens Lane west of Mission Road and south of Ammunition Road has been appraised at $285,000, and if the supervisors approve the purchase April 18 the land will be purchased from Donald and Wilma Lanning for that amount. After the land for the park is purchased, subsequent park development will serve the surrounding residential neighborhood which consists mainly of multi-family housing units. Potential amenities include picnic and playground areas, a mini-soccer practice field, and a half-court basketball facility.

The county had originally identified a site owned by San Diego Gas and Electric in the 200 block of West Clemmens Lane, but that property was not suited for park development due to utility easement restrictions and the appraised value was higher than the anticipated $150,000 to $200,000. The county’s Department of Parks and Recreation selected the Lanning site as a more suitable location, and the Lanning family was willing to sell.

A review and investigative work for hazardous materials on the property has been completed, and on January 16, 2007, the county’s Department of Environmental Health recommended that no further environmental investigation for the parcel was needed.

The county will supplement the $100,000 of 2006-07 CDBG funds with $100,000 of Park Land Dedication Ordinance funds paid by developers to fund park facilities in the development’s community. The budget will also include $213,859 provided by a state Proposition 12 grant and anticipated for the San Luis Rey River Park. While the county can purchase land for potential park purposes prior to the completion of the environmental documents (no development on that land can occur until after the environmental impact statement has been certified), the specific site for the San Luis Rey River Park cannot be identified until after the California Department of Transportation determines a final right-of-way for the State Route 76 widening. County staff has identified an alternative source of funds for the river park once the final alignment of State Route 76 is known. The budgeted amount in excess of the purchase costs for Clemmens Lane Park will be used for future design and construction work.