Title
Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Lepkowski Property in Northfield Township and to Appropriate $478,867.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves the purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 75 acres of farmland owned by Thaddeus and Margaret Lepkowski, located in Northfield Township. The resolution also appropriates up to $478,867.00 for the purchase from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds.
On September 6, 2016 (R-16-1240), City Council approved a resolution to participate in the Huron River Initiative Regional Conservation Partnership Project (Huron River RCPP). On February 20, 2018 (R-18-0215), City Council approved a grant application to the NRCS - Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) under the Huron River RCPP for this and other properties in Northfield Township. On September 17, 2018 (R-18-378), City Council approved the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $307,950.00 under a cooperative agreement with NRCS to be applied toward the purchase of the development rights on the Kempf and Lepkowski properties.
Lepkowski Farm, Northfield Township
The farm is approximately 80 acres and is located along Spencer Road in Northfield Township. The property is considered large enough to sustain agricultural production and is in a location that will encourage additional farmland preservation and agricultural preservation activities. It is located approximately one mile from two existing Greenbelt farmland preservation easements. The property scored in the top 40% of all Greenbelt applications in the scoring system developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory Commission due to the size and quality of the farmland, proximity to other protected properties, and the potential to leverage funds from federal sources of funding. The property also meets the priorities for both the Greenbelt program and the ACEP program.
Appraisal:
An appraisal for a conserva...
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