HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04 - Banning RanchRESOLUTION NO. 2022-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF THE ACQUISITION OF BANNING RANCH BY THE
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch is located within the ancestral homelands of the
Tongva and Acjachemen Nations and along the Santa Ana River, adjacent to Costa
Mesa's Westside neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch covers 401 acres of undeveloped land and is the
largest private piece of land remaining on the California coast between Ventura County
and the United States/Mexico border; and
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch, the site of Genga, has been utilized by the Tongva
and Acjachemen Nations as a village, cultural, and ceremonial site since time immemorial
and contains more than 3000 years of documented evidence of use by these indigenous
communities; and
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch was part of the historic 63,414-acre Rancho Santiago
de Santa Ana; and
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch was part of the historic 4000-acre Banning Ranch,
and named after, and owned by the family of, Phineas Banning, "The Father of the Port
of Los Angeles;" and
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch is the southern -most oil field in California and has a
historic and ongoing role in the Southern California oil industry since the 1940s; and
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch contains federal- and state -listed species and other
rare plants and animals, including those of special significance to the Tongva and
Acjachemen people; and
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch contains one of only two federally recognized vernal
pool complexes in coastal Orange County; and
WHEREAS, the California Coastal Commission found that Banning Ranch has
extensive Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA), which is afforded the highest
protection under the California Coastal Act; and
Resolution No. 2022-04 Page 1 of 3
WHEREAS, The Trust for Public Land has worked diligently with the landowners
for more than four years, secured an exclusive option to purchase 384 acres of the
property and raised public and private dollars so far totaling $83M towards the $97M
purchase price; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a public open space, park, and coastal nature preserve
at Banning Ranch would provide much -needed park space accessible to Costa Mesa
residents and address park space deficits in Costa Mesa and other nearby cities; and
WHEREAS, creation of a public open space, park, and coastal nature preserve at
the site of Genga creates an opportunity to reconnect Native people with their ancestral
home lands and sacred spaces; and
WHEREAS, the restoration and reintroduction of tidal flow to the degraded salt
marshes of Banning Ranch would address and mitigate anticipated sea -level rise along
the Southern California coast; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that natural habitat, open space and park access
improves mental health, provides respite from modern day intrusions, and reduces stress;
and
WHEREAS, Banning Ranch serves as a wildlife corridor for immediately
surrounding publicly -owned open spaces (Talbert Preserve, Fairview Park, Army Corps
of Engineers Santa Ana River Marsh, Sunset Ridge Park and Huntington Beach Wetlands
Conservancy properties), all of which are envisioned to become part of the future 1000-
acre Orange Coast River Park (OCRP); and
WHEREAS, the 2015-2035 Costa Mesa General Plan (Open Space Element)
states that, "As a built -out community, Costa Mesa will face challenges acquiring new
open space land due to high land costs and the limited availability of land;" and
WHEREAS, the 2021 City Council's strategic objectives include identifying
strategies to increase park access;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Costa
Mesa that the City of Costa Mesa supports the acquisition of Banning Ranch by the Trust
for Public Land.
Resolution No. 2022-04 Page 2 of 3
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of January, 2022:
ATTEST:
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Brenda Green, ity Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Kimberly Ball Barlow, City Attorney
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 2022-04 and was duly
passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting
held on 18th day of January, 2022, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: CHAVEZ, GAMEROS, HARLAN, HARPER, REYNOLDS,
MARR, AND STEPHENS
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the
City of Costa Mesa this 191h day of January, 2022.
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BRENDA GREEU, CITY CLERK
Resolution No. 2022-04 Page 3 of 3