Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board authorize:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the grant deed for the transfer of County-owned property known as Bennett Park located at 561 Canal Street, Placerville, CA 95667, to the El Dorado County Union High School District (4/5 vote required); and
2) Authorize the termination of the existing Agreement for Maintenance and Operation of Bennett Park between the County and the school district effective upon execution of the Grant Deed.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Bennett Park is located adjacent to El Dorado Union High School (EDUHS). The land was donated to the County in 1924 by Marcus and Mary Bennett to be used as a public recreational park for the benefit of the County in memory of their son. The 1924 deed restricted the use of the property solely for “recreation, sports, social open air gatherings, entertainments, games and amusements.” The deed further provided that the “property shall never be used for public camp grounds, for any commercial purpose, and no school building, residence or dwelling house, or any building for commercial purposes, shall ever be erected or maintained thereon” and that use of the property “shall be under and subject to the proper regulation and control of the Board of Supervisors.”
The Board of Supervisors declared the property exempt surplus on February 23, 2021 (Legistar #21-0196). On March 17, 2021, the State Housing Community Development (HCD) was notified of the Board’s action declaring the property as exempt surplus. Pursuant to the Surplus Land Act, a notice must be provided which requires notice to HCD at least 30 days prior to the property disposition. On March 30, 2021, the County submitted a request to the City of Placerville Planning Commission for a report as to the conformity of the proposed conveyance of Bennett Park to El Dorado Union High School District (EDUHSD) for use as a public recreational park fo...
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