Rolling Hills to Poll Residents on Land Purchase

The Rolling Hills Estates City Council has allocated $1,200 for a post-card survey to determine whether city residents want to preserve 10 acres, 12.87 acres or all of the former Dapplegray School site at 3011 Palos Verdes Drive North for recreation and parkland.

The city has been negotiating with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District to acquire at no cost 10 acres of the 42.9-acre site at the park. In exchange, the city would agree to allow the district to sell the remaining portion for development of 61 single-family homes.

However, many residents appearing before the council at four recent meetings have argued in favor of saving the entire site, which has been valued at $5 million or more. Since city funding is not available, the purchase could be made only if two-thirds of city voters approved a special 30-year tax of about $200 per year for each residential lot, City Manager Raymond B. Taylor said.

A letter to be mailed this week will explain the three options and ask residents to return a postpaid card stating their preference. Residents who choose one of the latter two options will also be asked if they would approve a special tax.

Results of the advisory poll are expected to be discussed by the council at its Oct. 27 meeting. At that time, the council is also expected to review a final version of the development agreement with the school district.