Arial Photo of Chandler Preserve
Explanation of the Acquisition of the Linden H.Chandler Preserve
In 1993 the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy and the City of Rolling Hills Estates acquired the property now known as the Linden H. Chandler Preserve
Q: Where did the money come from to acquire the land?
A: The funding came from the County of Los Angeles. In November, 1992 the voters passed "Measure A". That county measure provided the City with approximately $1.4 million for the "acquisition of critical natural lands and wildlife habitat." (Section 8(b)2 HH.) The Conservancy was an active participant in helping pass that County Measure.
Q: How much land was acquired?
A: The land is approximately 28.5 acres.
Q: How were the City and the Conservancy able to purchase
28.5 acres for only $1.4 million? That is only $50,000 per acre.
A: The Conservancy, working with the Chandler Trusts beneficiaries and some very talented volunteer professionals (all members of the Conservancy) were able to structure the transaction so that the beneficiaries could obtain charitable income tax donation benefits. Because the Conservancy is a charitable organization these benefits could be included in the package to make it attractive to the beneficiaries.
Q: Were there any other offers for the property?
A: Yes, in fact when the Conservancy first approached the Chandler beneficiaries, they had a much higher cash offer from a developer. There was a real likelihood that the higher offer would be accepted.
Q: It sounds like the Chandler beneficiaries must have also wanted the property preserved as open space as well.
A: Yes, the Chandler beneficiaries were eager to work with the Conservancy and the City to try to preserve the property because they recognized the virtue in that goal.
Q: Will the land always be available to the public?
A: Yes. The Purchase Agreement requires that the City and the Conservancy shall "...keep the Property open and available to the public generally for the public's use for Open-Space Land purposes.". (Section 16(b).) There are limited rights to restrict access for limited periods, such as for safety, maintenance, habitat restoration, and similar reasons.
Q: What is going to be done to the land?
A: The Conservancy intends to preserve the land as open space, in perpetuity.
