| | Q: Where exactly is 'Johnson's Pasture'?
A: Johnson's Pasture is located at the north end of Mountain Avenue in Claremont, in the Claraboya neighborhood. It’s accessible from a trailhead at the north side of the Via Santa Catarina cul-de-sac. It is contiguous with the existing Wilderness Park. It is an island of peace and serenity just minutes away from Claremont's downtown.
For more than 100 years, area residents have enjoyed the views and quiet natural environment here. In contrast to the Claremont Wilderness Park, the pasture is fairly accessible to older walkers and children. The pasture is home to a wide variety of native plants and animals, and is a key link in a vital five-mile wilderness corridor that allows free movement of wildlife along the foothills.
A privately owned, 183-acre parcel of land in the center of Johnson's Pasture is now for sale by the owners. Q: Didn't we already vote on this?
A: We have been asked why are we working on passing a bond measure when an assessment district with a similar purpose was defeated this summer. A bond is a different funding mechanism than an assessment district. Many Claremont property owners had reservations about the assessment district as a funding mechanism for this project and expressed the view that they would prefer that the purchase were funded with a bond measure. The money raised by this bond can be used for only one purpose (purchasing Johnson's Pasture) and will be voted on by all registered voters in Claremont. Furthermore, the cost for the large majority of Claremont homeowners will be less than $100 a year, over the life of the bond. | Q: What will happen if Johnson's Pasture is sold to developers?
A: Legally, the property could hold up to 350 new homes! It would require new road construction to provide access from two directions, plus electricity, gas, water and police and fire protection. Development in Claremont's hillsides affects all areas of the city.
In addition to providing natural open space, habitat, views and recreational opportunities, the pasture is also an important watershed. If it were developed, the rain falling on the pasture would simply run off to the ocean, rather than percolating down to the local water table. Claremont could face the loss of a valuable source of fresh water.
| Q: How much will the General Obligation Bond cost?
A: Measure S authorizes the city to issue up to $12.5 million in general obligation bonds to finance the purchase of Johnson’s Pasture. Los Angeles County has already promised a $500,000 grant. If more grants or other funding sources are found, then the bond may be paid off in les than 30 years.
The Measure S bonds would be financed over a maximum of 30 years. Over this time, the cost to property owners in Claremont would average no more than $25 per $100,000 of the assessed value of their property at the time the bonds are issued (the cost would start at about $34 and reduce to about $18 at the end of the financing period.) Based on the latest L.A. County property tax rolls, about 80% of the single-family homes in Claremont would pay $100 or less per year. Measure S payments are tax-deductible for those who itemize deductions. For the formal statement from the firm that will underwite the bond when Measure S passes, click here: /Documents/Bond Costs .pdf | Q: Who pays?
A: All Claremont property owners. Nonprofit organizations such as schools, churches and retirement communities are exempt.
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A: Every Claremonter benefits from saving Johnson's Pasture. Preventing new housing developments from being built there helps ensure that: Claremont’s unique character is maintained. • No new homes are built in an area at high risk of fire. • There would be no new funding necessary for new road maintenance and for the added police, fire, water, trash, sewer and other city services that new homes would require. • Future traffic levels on local roads will be manageable. • Our water quality would not be adversely affected. • Valuable local habitat and biodiversity would be preserved. • Property values would increase through providing valuable park land. • Claremont joins with surrounding foothill communities in providing a valuable wildlife corridor. • Less traffic, better water quality and beautiful park space enhance the overall quality of life for all of us. | Q: What prevents the city from selling the land in the future?
A: Once purchased by the city of Claremont, deed restrictions would be placed on the Johnson’s Pasture land that would ensure the land is maintained as open space in perpetuity. |
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