Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the DeForest Salem property in Salem Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $214,000.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves a participation agreement with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC) for the purchase of a conservation easement on the 115-acre DeForest Salem property in Salem Township. The resolution also approves an appropriation of funds not to exceed $214,000.00 (25% of purchase price) from Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds for the purchase.
After being awarded a USDA-NRCS ACEP-ALE grant to cover part of the acquisition costs, WCPARC commissioned an appraisal with a date of value October 6, 2023, that determined the fair market value of a conservation easement on the property to be $856,000.00. As the lead agency, WCPARC will be the holder of the conservation easement and will cover due diligence and closing costs in addition to the acquisition costs below.
DeForest Property, SalemTownship
The DeForest farm property is notably scenic, adjacent to two other Greenbelt protected properties, postured at the corner of Joy and Tower Rds, extending a half mile in each direction. 99 acres are actively being using for agricultural in the form of cash crops. At the north edge of the property sits a 6-acre patch of open woods with a picturesque farm pond in the center. The conservation easement will cover 115.6 acres of the entire 134-acre tax parcel, excluding an area around the existing farmstead and another area planned for solar utilities. The DeForest family completed a conservation easement with the Greenbelt on their property in Superior Township in 2022.
The property scored in the 98th percentile of agricultural applications received by the Greenbelt in the scoring systems developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory...
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