Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Hicks Property in Scio Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Scio Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $62,000.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves a participation agreement with Scio Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 100.52 acres of a farm property owned by the Hicks family in Scio Township. The resolution also appropriates $62,000.00 (9.8% of purchase price) from Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds for the purchase.
The landowners applied to the Scio Township Purchase of Development Rights Program and the Township has been the lead agency in the negotiations with the landowners. The Township commissioned an appraisal, completed in February 2025, that determined the fair market value of a conservation easement on the property to be $633,000.00. As the lead agency, Scio Township will be the holder of the conservation easement and will cover due diligence and closing costs in addition to the acquisition costs listed below. Scio Township is exemplary in their application and award of both a USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) grant and a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) grant through their Agricultural Preservation Fund, the latter of which requires assigning MDARD as coholder of the easement.
Hicks Property, Scio Township
The Hicks property’s tax parcels total 110 acres, of which 100.52 acres will be encumbered by the conservation easement. The property is at Joy and Zeeb Roads at the northern edge of Scio Township bordering Webster Township. The property scored in the 78th percentile of agricultural property applications received by the Greenbelt program in the scoring system developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. The property’s protection would add to an impressive 1000-acre contiguous bloc of land protected with conservation easements in Webster Township, all with Greenbelt funds. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission considers this parcel a priority for acquisition due to the relatively large size of the property, high quality of the farm soils, close proximity to other protected properties, and its ability to meet the goals of and thus leverage funds from the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Scio Township, USDA-NRCS, and MDARD.
The Commission recommended approving the participation agreement and funding at their November 7, 2024 meeting.
Proposed Project Budget
Total Purchase Price $633,000.00
Washtenaw County $62,000.00 9.8%
Scio Township $62,130.00 9.8%
ACEP-ALE $246,870.00 39.0%
MDARD $200,000.00 31.6%
City of Ann Arbor $62,000.00 9.8%
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, Scio Township will hold the conservation easement;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute a participation agreement with Scio Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 100.52 acres of the Hicks property after approval by the City Attorney and the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That $62,000.00 is appropriated for this purchase from the Open Space and Park Acquisition Millage Fund fund balance to the FY25 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 determination of satisfactory due diligence and approval and execution of all appropriate documents.