POST Saves 215 Acres Bordering Half Moon Bay, Completes Protection of Johnston Ranch
January 30, 2001
(Menlo Park, CA) Peninsula Open Space Trust has acquired 215 acres of prime farmland and rolling hills on the southeastern border of Half Moon Bay, completing the preservation of the historic Johnston Ranch as permanent open space.
Purchase of the ranch addition, located just east of Highway 1, was announced today by Audrey Rust, president of the Menlo Park-based land trust.
"Strategically, this is an important acquisition for POST," Rust said. "Intense development is taking place right up to the property line. With this purchase, we've created a boundary on further development south of the Half Moon Bay city limits, preserved some grand vistas, and ensured that valuable farmland will continue in production.
"We've also increased the potential, through strategic links with other existing open spaces, to create parkland and trail corridors that could extend from Skyline to Half Moon Bay."
POST's interest in the Johnston Ranch dates back over a dozen years. In 1991, the 862-acre property was purchased by a consortium of offshore buyers who planned to develop a golf course and high-end housing. Following the overwhelming defeat of a ballot measure that would have extended the Half Moon Bay city limits to allow the development, the ownership group was restructured, resulting in the transfer of 215 acres to two of the partners.
In 1998 POST acquired the larger, 647-acre portion of the ranch for $2.6 million. A few months ago Akihiro Yoshikawa, the owner of the smaller portion, indicated his willingness to sell the land, and POST purchased it for $3.05 million. The transaction closed January 16.
"The difference in the prices for the two parcels illustrates both the appreciation of real estate and the threat of potential development along the San Mateo Coast," Rust said. "A reasonable proposal to expand the city limit to allow the construction of new development might have succeeded, resulting in the permanent loss of the farmland, scenic views, and coastal hills that define the rural character of this land."
The Johnston Ranch addition is comprised of a 49-acre parcel east of Main Street, bordered by the Half Moon Bay City limits and Higgins-Purisima Road, and a 166-acre parcel immediately east of Highway 1. The landscape ranges from rich agricultural fields to upland coastal hills and grassland. Since 1949, farmer Aldo Giusti has leased the agricultural portions of Johnston Ranch for row crop production (brussels sprouts, green beans, fava beans, beets, and swiss chard).
The historic Johnston house, a white New England "salt box" built by one of the area's prominent pioneer families nearly 150 years ago, lies in the center of the ranch on a 20-acre plot owned by the city. A small herd of longhorn cattle grazes the upland portion.
POST will preserve the existing agricultural and recreational activities on Johnston Ranch, Rust said. The organization ultimately plans to sell or transfer the property to public agencies and private landowners subject to conservation easements.
Future plans for Johnston Ranch are complicated by in-stream dams on the property that provide water for agricultural use and a habitat for three federally protected species–steelhead trout, red-legged frog, and San Francisco garter snake. "Working with the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, we will address the important water issues related to fish migration and habitat," Rust said. "We hope to find a solution that will preserve the natural habitat and continue productive agriculture."
Capital for the Johnston Ranch purchase was borrowed from POST's land acquisition fund, money the organization hopes to recoup through private contributions from the community and government grants.
Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving over 40,000 acres as permanent open space in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
"This acquisition offers a good illustration of the advantages POST enjoys as a private organization," Rust said. "Thanks to ongoing private support, we have the ability to act quickly when important land-saving opportunities arise. But if the price is too high, or if a seller is unwilling to negotiate with us, we also have the flexibility to wait for the right time to make a deal."