Title
Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the St. John's Property in Northfield Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and Northfield Township, and Appropriate $465,693.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves the purchase of a conservation easement on the St. John's property located in Northfield Township. The resolution also approves a participation agreement with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation and Northfield Township and appropriates up to $465,693.00 for the purchase from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Fund.
On November 6, 2023 (R-23-405), City Council approved a grant application to the USDA-NRCS - Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for the St. John's property. On July 1, 2024 (R-24-274), City Council approved the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $338,100.00 under an agreement with NRCS to be applied toward the purchase of a conservation easement on the property.
St. John's Farm, Northfield Township
The farm's two tax parcels are approximately 80 acres in total, of which 70 acres will be covered by the conservation easement. The property sits at the intersection of E. Northfield Church and Sutton Roads in Northfield Township. It is one half mile west of the Ehnis property and adjacent to 240 acres of land protected with existing Greenbelt conservation easements. The property scored in the 55th percentile 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 relatively large size of the property, high quality of the farm soils, close proximity to other protected properties, extensive road frontage and associated scenic value, plus its ability to meet the goals of and thus leverage funds from the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Northfield Township, and USDA...
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