Randall Preserve set to begin phase one of renovations after $2-million check

“This is the type of thing where, in 20 to 30 years, we’re all gonna be driving past here on PCH and point [the preserve] out to our grandkids and say, ‘I was part of making that happen,’” Petrie-Norris said to a group of gathered activists, supporters and fellow elected officials.

Once the home to almost 500 oil wells, discussions over the future of what once was Banning Ranch began in 1999 when the proposition of new homes built atop the land was proposed and eventually approved by the city of Newport Beach, one of the three cities adjacent to the land.

“Each step of the way, something got in the way, whether it was threatening an endangered species or a coastal development permit that wasn’t approved,” said Melanie Schlotterbeck, a stewardship consultant for the Coastal Corridor Alliance, formerly the Banning Ranch Conservancy.

“I know that every city, because of the state, has requirements for housing, but the reality is they didn’t need this property to do that. So, folks can build up, they can repurpose outdated strip malls, et cetera,” Schlotterbeck said.

After years of battles in court, from 2012 when the original lawsuit was filed to appeals from the city in 2014 and overrulings in 2015, the California Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Banning Ranch Conservancy, overturning the development in 2017.

Fundraising soon began in order to grant the Trust for Public Lands permanent protection over the property. In 2019, Frank and Joan Randall, local private donors, paved the way for the purchase of land, donating $50 million to the cause, the organization’s largest donation.

By 2022, the 387-acres of wetlands and sacred Native American heritage sites had been purchased for $97 million.

Today, the hundreds of oil wells and related piping and materials have been cleaned and removed from the property as the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Coastal Corridor Alliance are working together to advance efforts of restoration to the lands.

Home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, the three organizations are currently testing the vast wetlands and have set up plans for the first phase of construction: restoring the wetlands’ natural habitats for the local wildlife and creating a space in which the local community may both enjoy and learn from.

An overhead look at the Randall Preserve. (Courtesy of the Banning Ranch Conservancy) “This is the largest undeveloped piece of coastal land in Southern California, it has a tremendous opportunity for habitat restoration,” Petrie-Norris said. “From bringing back endangered species to the area, as well as providing coastal access for millions of disadvantaged families who live [adjacent to the Preserve]. And, so, all of that just made me, from day one, really excited about this and really committed to being part of making it happen.”

Members of the Coastal Corridor Alliance, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Supervisor Katrina Foley pose with a $2- million check for the Randall Preserve. (Elizabeth Carroll) The first phase of construction, testing and cleanup has commenced, and is estimated to take roughly five years to complete, including the construction of a visitor center, walking paths and restoration to the wetlands.— Carroll is a contributor to the Daily Pilot

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