Press Room

Talks Likely To Preserve Ranchland

The deal could result in some limited public access in the form of docent-led hikes or a dedicated trail
By David Sneed — The Tribune
October 14, 2007

The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County has entered into negotiations that will likely result in the conservation of 3,000 acres of land along the southern boundary of Atascadero west of Highway 101.

The conservation group is negotiating with the Smith family of Ventura to preserve a portion of the historic Eagle Ranch. Under the deal, the family would sign over most of its development rights to the land in exchange for tax breaks while continuing to own the land and operate it as a cattle ranch.

The parcel is bordered by national forest land to the south and west, including West Cuesta Ridge and Cerro Alto. It consists mostly of oak woodlands, the Central Coast's signature landscape, as well as several year-round creeks, making the land excellent wildlife habitat.

"The further back into the ranch you go, the more wild it gets," said Bob Hill, the group's conservation director. "Surely, this land represents what the California of old must have looked like."

Hill is also hoping to negotiate some limited public access to the protected 3,000 acres as part of the deal. The public access could come in the form of docent-led hikes or a dedicated hiking trail.

The deal would be significant because it conserves land along the southern edge of Atascadero, an area that has 400 developable parcels, said Brian Stark, the group's executive director.

The conservation area contains 33 parcels that the deal

would retire, with the exception of four to six of them. The exact number of developable parcels that would remain has not been worked out, Hill said.

Other parts of the ranch, consisting of lots from the Atascadero Colony development, could be annexed by the city of Atascadero at a later date.

The Smith family has owned the land since 1964 and managed it as a working cattle ranch and wildlife refuge. A conservation deal would ensure that the land continues to serve that function.

"Three generations of our family have been fortunate enough to enjoy this unique property, and we are excited by the opportunity to protect its most important features for future generations," Greg and Jeff Smith said.

The conservancy expects to ink the conservation deal sometime in late 2008.