Hearst Ranch
Conservation Framework

Overview

The Hearst Ranch Conservation Framework is an agreement between the American Land Conservancy (ALC) and the Hearst Corporation. It is not a final agreement, but a basis for which negotiations will continue as ALC and Hearst work together to come up with a final agreement to preserve the valuable resources of the Ranch, historic legacy of a working ranch, and meet needs of the general public. Negotiations are continuing as we speak to make this happen.

Below are the guidelines set forth by the Hearst Ranch Conservation Framework:

Mutual Goals

• Protect natural and scenic resources
  
  
• Permanently increase public access west of Highway 1
  
  
• Ensure continued agricultural operation
  
  
• Provide fair compensation for restricting development

Key Elements

• Eliminate New Resorts: No golf course or resort development at San Simeon Point, no Visitor-Center hotel, no Equestrian Center hotel at Pico Creek and no new areas for resort development would be created
  
  
• Limited development of Old San Simeon Village to Julia Morgan's Vision: Permanently restrict any plans in Old San Simeon Village to new local and visitor-serving uses, including existing buildings and limited, historically consistent infill buildings inspired by Julia Morgan's recently rediscovered vision, with under 100 rooms;
  
  
• Provide Permanent Public Access to Coastline: New public access to include 18 miles of new California Coastal Trail running the entire length of the property on the west side of Highway 1 and offering permanent public access to the coastline;
  
  
• East Side Conservation/Agricultural Easement: Preservation of the working landscape of the historical agricultural operations which would ensure long term viability of the ranch, while protecting the natural resources; and
  
  
• Reduce Potential Development: Limitation of new owner homesites to 27 on the interior of the 82,000 acre Ranch. Currently Hearst has 271 certified lots that would allow for more than 400 home sites. Hearst would agree to limit the number of new homesites to 27, impose siting and access guidelines to recognize sensitive environmental and cultural areas and respect existing public views. No homesites would be located west of Highway 1.

For more detailed information on development reductions
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