Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Renz Land Co, LLC Property in Scio Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Scio Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $432,334.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves a participation agreement with Scio Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purchase of a conservation easement on a 101.361-acre property owned by Renz Land Co, LLC in Scio Township. The resolution also approves an appropriation of funds not to exceed $432,334.00 (14.17% of purchase price) from Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds for the purchase.
The landowners applied to the Scio Township Purchase of Development Rights Program and the Township has been the lead agency in the negotiations with the landowners. The Township commissioned an appraisal, completed in 2021, that determined the fair market value of a conservation easement on the property to be $ $2,995,000.00. The Township is the lead agency and will be the holder of the conservation easement. In addition to the acquisition costs below, the Township will cover due diligence and closing costs.
Renz Land Co, LLC Property, Scio Township
The property is approximately 101.361 acres and is located in Section 35 of Scio Township with legal access from Wagner Road. It is owned by Renz Land Co, LLC. The property scored in the top 19% of applications received by the Greenbelt Program in the scoring system developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. The property contains 18 acres of forest and 10 acres of wetlands. The property is located adjacent to the Greenbelt's 30.85-acre Thomas-Lobato conservation easement purchased with funds from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage, and adjacent to the University of Michigan's 80-acre Saginaw Forest. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission considers this parcel a priority fo...
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