Title
Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Ehnis Property in Northfield Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and Northfield Township, and Appropriate $457,617.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves the purchase of a conservation easement on the Ehnis 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 $432,067.00 for the purchase from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Fund.
On November 6, 2023 (R-23-407), City Council approved a grant application to the NRCS - Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for the Ehnis property. On July 1, 2024 (R-24-275), City Council approved the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $257,250.00 under an agreement with NRCS to be applied toward the purchase of a conservation easement on the property.
Ehnis Farm, Northfield Township
The farm is approximately 65 acres and located in Northfield Township. It is bordered by three roads for amazing views from the public right-of-way: E Northfield Church Road, Earhart Road, and Pontiac Trail. Park Northfield is one half mile away on Pontiac Trail, and the City's pending St. John's easement (R-25-xxx) is one half mile down Northfield Church Road. It's predominantly cropland with a 9-acre patch of woods. 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, and high road frontage, plus its ability to meet the goals of and thus leverage funds from the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Northfield Township, and USDA-NRCS.
An appraisal for a conservation easement on the property was completed in October 2024, which determined the fair market value to be $526,000.00.
Proposed Project Budget
Purchase Price $526...
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