SECTIONS 6950-6954 - California Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

SECTION 6950-6954

6950. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter
to provide a means whereby any county or city may acquire, by
purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, lease or otherwise, and
through the expenditure of public funds, the fee or any lesser
interest or right in real property in order to preserve, through
limitation of their future use, open spaces and areas for public use
and enjoyment.

6951. The Legislature finds that the rapid growth and spread of
urban development is encroaching upon, or eliminating, many open
areas and spaces of varied size and character, including many having
significant scenic or esthetic values, which areas and spaces if
preserved and maintained in their present open state would constitute
important physical, social, esthetic or economic assets to existing
or impending urban and metropolitan development.

6952. The Legislature hereby declares that it is necessary for
sound and proper urban and metropolitan development, and in the
public interest of the people of this State for any county or city to
expend or advance public funds for, or to accept by, purchase, gift,
grant, bequest, devise, lease or otherwise, the fee or any lesser
interest or right in real property to acquire, maintain, improve,
protect, limit the future use of or otherwise conserve open spaces
and areas within their respective jurisdictions.

6953. The Legislature further declares that the acquisition of
interests or rights in real property for the preservation of open
spaces and areas constitutes a public purpose for which public funds
may be expended or advanced, and that any county or city may acquire,
by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, lease or otherwise, the
fee or any lesser interest, development right, easement, covenant or
other contractual right necessary to achieve the purposes of this
chapter. Any county or city may also acquire the fee to any property
for the purpose of conveying or leasing said property back to its
original owner or other person under such covenants or other
contractual arrangements as will limit the future use of the property
in accordance with the purposes of this chapter.

6954. For the purposes of this chapter an "open space" or "open
area" is any space or area characterized by (1) great natural scenic
beauty or (2) whose existing openness, natural condition, or present
state of use, if retained, would enhance the present or potential
value of abutting or surrounding urban development, or would maintain
or enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources.