Title
Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Buesser Property in Northfield Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $133,367.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves the purchase of a conservation easement on property owned by Andrew Buesser, located in Northfield Township. The resolution also approves a participation agreement with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation and appropriates up to $133,367.00 for the purchase from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Fund.
Andrew Buesser Property, Northfield Township
The property is approximately 30 acres and is located along Joy Road in Northfield Township. The property is considered a high quality natural ecosystem and is in a location that will encourage additional preservation activities. It is adjacent to an active Greenbelt project (Moehrle Property, purchase approved by City Council November 4, 2019 (R-19-480)), and would create a contiguous protected area of more than 279 acres. It is also approximately three-quarter miles from several other Greenbelt easements. The property scored in the top 79% of all Greenbelt applications in the scoring system developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. The protection of this property is a priority for the Greenbelt Program due to the quality of the natural features, proximity to other protected properties, and possibility to leverage funds from local partners. The property also meets the priorities for the Greenbelt, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, and Legacy Land Conservancy.
An appraisal for a conservation easement on the property was completed in October 2017. The fair market value was appraised at $135,000.00.
Proposed Project Budget:
Purchase Price:
Appraised Fair Market Value: $135,000.00
Washtenaw County Amount: $ 45,000.00 (33.3%)
Legacy Land Conservancy Amount: $ 8,000.00 (5.9%)
City portion of purchase pri...
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