Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Dimo Property in Dexter Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Dexter Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $173,400.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves a participation agreement with Dexter Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 42.6 acres of property owned by the Dimo family in Dexter Township. The resolution also appropriates $173,400.00 (30% of purchase price) from Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds for the purchase.
The landowners applied to Dexter Township’s new millage-funded Purchase of Development Rights Program, and the Township is the lead agency in the negotiations with the landowners. The Township commissioned an appraisal, with a value date of December 31, 2024, that determined the fair market value of a conservation easement on the property to be $578,000.00. 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.
Bluebelt
Through a series of Council-approved amendments in 2024 to Chapter 42 - Open Space and Parkland Preservation of the Code of Ordinances, the Bluebelt was established, allowing the Greenbelt program to work outside of the standard Greenbelt district and expand the City’s opportunities for sourcewater protection projects within the Huron River Watershed upstream of the City and limited to Washtenaw County. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission adopted a Bluebelt operations framework in October 2025 describing eligibility criteria and additional standards for fundable properties in the Bluebelt. With this framework formalized, staff began accepting applications for the Bluebelt and requests for partnerships. On January 20, 2026, City Council approved the first Bluebelt project, called Davenport, which successfully closed in February 2026. Dimo is the second Bluebelt project presented to City Council.
Dimo Property, Dexter Township
The Dimo property is approximately 42.6 acres of wetlands, upland mixed forest, lakebed, and agriculture on Riker Road in Dexter Township. The woods are a healthy system with abundant large trees and a good age distribution. According to historical 1800s land cover data, much of the property used to be inland wet prairie and tamarack swamp, both state endangered today; some tamaracks are still on the property. The property is used for the landowner’s recreational purposes.
The Dimo qualifies for the Bluebelt due to its 15+ acres of natural area and location within a high average groundwater recharge rate PLSS section. The combination of uplands and wetlands on the property supports the site-specific validity of that high average. Protecting land in high groundwater recharge areas protects the overall supply of water and the replenishment of surface water (i.e. the Huron River) as well as water filtering. Protecting this property has the added water quality benefits associated with maintaining natural features and preventing additional development along approximately 950 feet of lakefront and an outlet to a creek.
The property scored a percentile rank of 58% of open space 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 size, amount of wetlands, and possession of a Huron River tributary and other water features. The Commission recommended approving the participation agreement and funding at their March 5, 2026 meeting.
Proposed Project Budget
Total Purchase Price $578,000.00
City of Ann Arbor $173,400.00 30%
Washtenaw County $173,400.00 30%
Dexter Township $231,200.00 40%
Staff recommends approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Rosie Pahl Donaldson, Land Acquisition Supervisor
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Chris Frost, Senior Assistant Attorney
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, Dexter Township will hold the conservation easement;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute a participation agreement with Dexter Township and the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 42.6 acres of the Dimo property after approval by the City Attorney and the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That $173,400.00 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.