Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Kempf L. Property in Northfield Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Northfield Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $50,400.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves a participation agreement with Northfield Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 38 acres of property owned by the Kempf family in Northfield Township. The resolution also appropriates $50,400.00 (20% of purchase price) from Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds for the purchase.
The landowners applied to the City of Ann Arbor Greenbelt Program in 2023, which staff forwarded as a courtesy to Northfield Township’s new Purchase of Development Rights Program, and the Township became the lead agency in the negotiations with the landowners. The Township commissioned an appraisal, with a value date of September 15, 2025, that determined the fair market value of a conservation easement on the property to be $252,000.00. The Township is the lead agency and will be the holder of the conservation easement. The Township also was awarded a USDA-NRCS ACEP-ALE grant to assist with the purchase price. In addition to the acquisition costs below, the Township will cover due diligence and closing costs.
Kempf L. Property, Northfield Township
The Kempf L. property is approximately 40 acres and is on Nollar Road in Northfield Township. It is nearly adjacent to the Greenbelt’s Honke and Buesser easements and generally located amidst a respectable concentration of other protected land. Commodity crops are currently grown on the land’s loam-type soils. Within the woodlot are two small wetlands. The conservation easement will cover approximately 38 acres of the 40-acre property, which excludes the existing building site.
The property scored a percentile rank of 53% of agriculture applications received by the Greenbelt Program in the scoring system developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission considers this parcel a priority for acquisition due to its proximity to other protected properties, prime farmland soils, adjacent compatible zoning and land use, and possibility to leverage funds with Township, County, and USDA funding. The Commission recommended approving the participation agreement and funding at their April 9, 2026 meeting.
Proposed Project Budget
Total Purchase Price $252,000.00
City of Ann Arbor $50,400.00 20%
Washtenaw County $50,400.00 20%
Northfield Township $27,720.00 11%
USDA-NRCS $123,480.00 49%
Staff recommends approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Rosie Pahl Donaldson, Land Acquisition Supervisor
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Chapter 42 of Ann Arbor City Code establishes the Greenbelt District and authorizes the City to purchase land and conservation easements on property within the district with Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds;
Whereas, Chapter 42 of Ann Arbor City Code authorizes City Council to enter into agreements for joint acquisition of land and easements in the Greenbelt District with other government agencies;
Whereas, The fair market value for the conservation easement was determined by an appraisal as required by Section 1:321 of Ann Arbor City Code; and
Whereas, Northfield Township will hold the conservation easement;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute a participation agreement with Northfield Township and the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 38 acres of the Kempf L. property after approval by the City Attorney and the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That $50,400.00 is appropriated for contribution toward the purchase of the conservation easement from the Open Space and Parkland Acquisition Fund fund balance to the FY26 Parks and Recreation Open Space And Park Acquisition Millage Fund;
RESOLVED, That all amounts appropriated herein are without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the City’s contribution is contingent upon the approval by the City of the conservation easement document and appropriate due diligence, including review of title work, an environmental assessment, and survey, as appropriate; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution, including the determination of satisfactory due diligence, exercise of all determinations and authority delegated to the City under any agreement, and the execution and management of ancillary documents, instruments, and agreements after approval by the City Attorney.