The County will no longer receive five hundred dollars ($500) per month as revenue for the Grantee under its lease with the County. The County will receive $150,000 in revenue for the sale of the property, and an estimated $30,000 in transaction costs.
In February 2013, the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Conservation District (District) conveyed real property identified as Assessor’s Parcel Number 408-201-017 and located at 323 Brookside Drive, Richmond, CA to Contra Costa County (County) for County highway purposes. The Property consists of 3.135 acres, or 136,541 square feet.
In 2014, the County authorized a lease agreement with Urban Tilth, Inc., for the purposes of constructing, operating and maintaining a nonprofit educational urban farm (Project) on the Property. The lease term is August 12, 2014 to July 31, 2024, with two 10-year renewal options for a total term of 30 years. The lease includes an annual rent of $500.00.
In 2018, The Department of Conservation and Development issued encroachment permit no. TP16-0036 to Urban Tilth for constructing the Project. As part of the Conditions of Approval listed in the Permit, Urban Tilth is required, upon conveyance of the Property from the County, should this occur, to dedicate the right of way necessary for the future public improvements along the frontage of Brookside Drive for road and/or drainage purposes.
On April 20, 2021, the County Board of Supervisors declared 2.72 acres of the Property as surplus property. The County has identified an additional 0.37 acre that will not be required for future road/drainage purposes, is recommending it be declared as surplus property, and be included in the conveyance to Urban Tilth.
On May 3, 2021, after receiving a Notice of Availability from the County, Urban Tilth expressed interest in acquiring the Property to complete the construction of their non-profit educational farm, which will include facilities and operations of crop rows; orchard; egg farm/bee hives; a greenhouse; shade house; farm sheds; Watershed Workshop; demonstration compost toilet; outdoor classrooms; Main barn with a farm stand, fruit and vegetable wash & pack room and multi-purpose room; community commercial kitchen; café; small outdoor amphitheater; public restrooms; her shed; farm office; History Walk; Ohlone Reflection Garden; signage and all associated farm, health/nutrition and watershed educational programs.
Upon recording of the Deed, the 2014 lease agreement will be terminated by the Public Works Department.
Without approval from the Board of Supervisors, the County will continue to own and be responsible for surplus property.