City acquires two parcels

A coveted parcel of land in South Laguna known as the “hole in the donut” has been donated to the city for open space, ensuring the preservation of vegetation and wildlife habitat.

The 98-acre parcel is on a prominent ridgeline, surrounded by the Aliso Creek Golf Course and other parcels owned by Driftwood Properties. The city has had its eye on the property for years but was never able to come to terms with the owner.

“We tried for years to acquire the property and got nowhere, and suddenly they decided to dedicate it as open space,” City Manager Ken Frank said Tuesday. “I don’t know whether there was a change of ownership or a change of heart.”

Formerly known as the Mahboubi-Fardi property, Laguna Vista LLC was listed as the donor of the parcel, according to a news release issued Tuesday by Frank.

The donation was announced on the same day that escrow closed on the Verizon lot in Laguna Canyon for which the city paid $650,000, considerably less than original appraisal of $1.2 million or the Laguna County Water District appraisal of $880,000.

Open Space funds were not used for the purchase because the parcel is far from pristine, Frank said. A portion of it is paved.

No specific use had been determined for the parcel at the time of the purchase, but it is suitable for a public purpose, including peripheral parking, Frank said.

The parcel is between the Bark Park and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.