Donald Trump scraps plans to build homes at Rancho Palos Verdes golf course

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. (KABC) -- Real estate mogul Donald Trump is scrapping plans to build luxury homes on his Rancho Palos Verdes golf course. Instead, he plans to donate 12 acres to a land conservancy.

Joggers and hikers are drawn to the views from Marilyn Ryan Sunset Point Park.

"We don't really have a lot of places like this in the Southland. This is the last undeveloped land that we have," said Francisco Rahgel, a Rancho Palos Verdes resident.

Trump had planned to build 16 houses on the driving range of the Trump National Golf Club. Thursday, Trump announced that he will donate approximately 12 acres of his golf course to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy ensuring this view will be uninterrupted forever.

"It was very important to the community, to the people representing the community. It's something I've been thinking about for a year, maybe even a little longer than a year," Trump said during his announcement.

The 12 acres will remain a driving range, but no homes or structures will ever be built on this land.

"That is land that will now be held forever as open space and as public access and public recreation land," described Bill Swank with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.

The donation will also mean a lot for the habitat, water recharge and Trump's reputation in the community

"There's been a lot of controversy with him and this land, with the things that he's wanted to do, and maybe our city hasn't wanted him to do," said Tracy Beecher, a Rancho Palos Verdes resident.

Trump's decision to donate this land is now another bright light in the city's future.

Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Jim Knight said Trump's decision to donate the land shows great integrity.

Trump bought the course in 2002. It was formerly known as Ocean Trails Golf Club and went into bankruptcy after a landslide sent most of its 18th hole into the ocean in 1999.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.