Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Haas Property in Scio Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Scio Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Appropriate $97,667.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves a participation agreement with Scio Township and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission for the purchase of a conservation easement on 44 acres of property owned by Harold and Martha Haas in Scio Township. The resolution also approves an appropriation of funds not to exceed $97,667.00 (33% of purchase price) from Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds for the purchase.
The landowners applied to the Scio Township Purchase of Development Rights Program and the Township has been the lead agency in the negotiations with the landowners. The Township commissioned an appraisal, completed in August 2018, that determined the fair market value of a conservation easement on the property to be $293,000.00. 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.
Haas Property, Scio Township
The property is approximately 47 acres and is located in Section 16 of Scio Township with legal access from Marshall Road. It is owned by Harold and Martha Haas. The property scored in the top 37% of open space applications received by the Greenbelt Program in the scoring system developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. The conservation easement will cover approximately 44 acres of the property, which contain 34 acres of forest and 10 acres of wetlands and floodplain forest. The property is located adjacent to the Scherdt Conservation Easement and is within 1.25 miles of two public preserves purchased with funds from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission consid...
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