Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Heydon III Property in Scio Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Scio Township, and Appropriate $295,000.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves a participation agreement with Scio Township for the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 38 acres of property owned by the Heydon family in Scio Township. The resolution also appropriates $295,000.00 (49.6% of purchase price) from Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds for the purchase.
The landowner applied to Scio Township’s land preservation program in 2025. The Township commissioned an appraisal, with a value date of January 16, 2026, that determined the fair market value of a conservation easement on the property to be $595,000.00. 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.
Heydon III Property, Scio Township
The Heydon III property is approximately 73 acres and is on the corner of Stein Rd and N Maple Rd in Scio Township. Much of the land along Stein Road is protected by conservation easements. Commodity crops are currently grown and some animals raised on the land’s loam-type soils. A building envelope will be described around the farm buildings. Protection of this property was evaluated as a standard Greenbelt project, however there is some surface water in the woodlot that we believe drains into the Boyden Creek tributary to north, which is a priority creekshed for the Bluebelt.
The property scored a percentile rank of 83% 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 high amount of road frontage. The Commission recommended approving the participation agreement and funding at their April 9, 2026 meeting.
Proposed Project Budget
Total Purchase Price $595,000.00
City of Ann Arbor $295,000.00 49.6%
Scio Township $300,000.00 50.4%
Staff recommends approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Rosie Pahl Donaldson, Land Acquisition Supervisor
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Christopher 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, 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 for the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 73 acres of the Heydon III property after approval by the City Attorney and the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That $295,000.00 is appropriated for contribution toward the purchase of the conservation easement from the Open Space and Parkland Acquisition Fund fund balance to the FY27 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.