Title
Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Root Property in Superior Township and Appropriate $180,367.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves the purchase of a conservation easement on the Root property located in Superior Township and appropriates up to $180,367.00 for the purchase from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Fund.
Root Property, Superior Township
The Root family applied to the Greenbelt program in November 2025 after being referred by Legacy Land Conservancy. The Root farm is approximately 78.5 acres and is located along N Harris Road between N Cherry Hill Road and Vreeland Road in Superior Township. The property is considered large enough to sustain agricultural production and is in a location that will encourage additional farmland and agricultural preservation activities. The farm fields are classic "rolling hill" topography. The relatively healthy upland woods on the west side, continuing into the neighboring protected land, surrounds a permanent pond. Approximately 1800ft of Fowler Creek/Kimmel Drain also flows through the property. Protecting this property adds to an impressive contiguous protected area of more than 1400 acres, much of which is part of Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy's "Superior Township Greenway." The property scored a percentile rank of 74% of all agricultural 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 size and quality of the farmland, proximity to other protected properties, compatible adjacent land use and zoning, and the generous donation by the landowner.
An appraisal for a conservation easement on the property, with a value date of March 16, 2026, determined the fair market value to be $585,000.00.
Proposed Project Budget
Purchase Price $585,000.00
City of Ann Arbor $117,000.00 20%
Landowner Donation $468,000....
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