Title
Resolution to Approve Participation Agreement with Legacy Land Conservancy for the Purchase of the Carol Proctor Landsberg Trust Property in Webster Township, and Appropriate Funds, not to Exceed $157,140 from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage Proceeds (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a Participation Agreement with the Legacy Land Conservancy for the purchase of development rights on the property owned by Carol Proctor Landsberg Trust, in Webster Township. The landowner applied to the Webster Township Land Preservation Program, however Legacy Land has been the lead agency in the negotiations with the landowner.
Legacy Land Conservancy commissioned an appraisal which was completed in March 2015. The Fair Market Value was determined to be $792,000 for the fee and $396,000 purchase of development rights on the property. The resolution approves an appropriation of funds for 39% of the easement price, not to exceed $157,140 from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage Proceeds. The Carol Proctor Landsberg Trust is donating 30% of the fair market value of the transaction. Washtenaw County is purchasing the fee for the property and putting in a parking lot. Webster Township is completing the baseline. Legacy Land Conservancy will hold the easement, pay the closing costs, monitoring cost and appraisal cost. The City will have successor rights if Legacy Land Conservancy is no longer able to hold the easement.
The property is approximately 81.77 acres with access from Jennings Road. The property is located in the headwaters of Arms Creek, a high quality tributary of the Huron River. Huron River Watershed Council has completed a Bioreserve Site Assessment and notes a small oak barren, a wet prairie and oak hickory forest. The property is a spectacular example of glacial outwash with rolling hills. The property is less than a half a mile from the Independence Lake Coun...
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