Title
Resolution to Authorize and Appropriate Funds for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) on the Anna Marie Merkel, John Nicholas Heller, Barbara Ann Marr, James Michael Heller, Donald Alan Heller, and Thomas Edward Heller Farm, located in Webster Township with Matching Funds through the Federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), and Webster Township Land Preservation Fund and Approve a Farmland Development Rights Grant of Easement Agreement and Participation Agreement with Webster Township - $1,307,867.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve the purchase of development rights (PDR) on the Anna Marie Merkel, John Nicholas Heller, Barbara Ann Marr, James Michael Heller, Donald Alan Heller, and Thomas Edward Heller Farm, which is approximately 146 acres, in Webster Township with funding through the Federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), Webster Township Land Preservation Fund, and the City of Ann Arbor Open Space and Park Land Preservation Millage bond proceeds. The appraised fair market value of the approximate 146-acre agricultural preservation easement is $1,360,000. City Council approved grant funds from the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) to be used for the purchase of the Merkel/Marr/Heller Farm on June 18, 2007 (R-288-6-07). Funds for the purchase of the easement comes from FRPP in the amount of $680,000.00, Webster Township in the amount of $110,000, and the City’s Open Space and Parkland Preservation bond proceeds in the amount of $627,867.00
The parent parcel is approximately 150 acres and is currently in agricultural production. The landowners are excluding an approximate 4-acre lot from the easement, which includes the residential and farm buildings. This farm is considered large enough to sustain agricultural production and is in a location that will encourage additional farmland preservation and agricultural preservation activities. The ...
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