Lot split sought for Rancho La Laguna

 

Rancho La Laguna, LLC, the corporation accused by the county district attorney of being liable for the start of the Zaca Fire, is currently seeking a lot split of its 3,950 acres into 13 separate parcels.

The issue was heard before the county’s Agricultural Preserve Advisory Committee earlier this month.

The committee decided that the split was consistent with the uniform rules, according to Jessica Opland of the county’s planning and development department. The property is currently under the Williamson Act contract, and if granted, the new parcels also would be under contract and have agriculture preserve status.

 

If the lot split were to move forward, it still would require the approval of the county’s planning commission, which likely won’t see it before spring 2009. The property, located at 7003 Foxen Canyon Road, is currently zoned AG-II-100, meaning that the smallest parcel size it can be split to without a zoning change is 100 acres and the designated use is for agriculture.

Charles Roven and Leo A. Hanly are listed as the owners of the property on documents pertaining to the lot split. Agents for the owners told the county that the purpose of the split is for estate planning. No development is proposed at this time, according to Brian Tetley, the county planner handling the project.

However, building envelopes have been identified on each of the 13 proposed parcels and will be studied as part of the state-mandated environmental review process, Tetley said. That process is now underway.

 

Roven is a movie producer whose credits include “Batman Begins.” His movies are said to have cumulatively grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.

Attorneys for the LLC’s insurance company currently are negotiating with the district attorney’s office about whether any settlement will be paid in the Zaca Fire case.

Earlier this month, the two workers employed by La Laguna who are accused of starting the fire on July 4, 2007, had their charges reduced from felonies to misdemeanors.

A settlement conference in the case is scheduled for Oct. 23.