Title
Land Acquisition for Tree Canopy Preservation Program at 904 Riverside Drive
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of approximately 0.354 acres located at 904 Riverside Drive (parcel identification number 031-151-22) in the amount of $260,000,
B. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to grant a conservation easement to the Catawba Lands Conservancy, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute all documents necessary to complete this transaction.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Monica Holmes, Planning, Design, and Development
Tim Porter, Planning, Design, and Development
Tara Moore, Planning, Design, and Development
Explanation
§ The city was approached by Mecklenburg County to determine interest in acquiring this parcel for the Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP). Most properties in this area were damaged by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
§ The property is located on Riverside Drive in Council District 2.
§ The city is currently working to acquire several additional parcels along the Catawba River. Mecklenburg County has also acquired several properties in this area.
§ The parcel is zoned N1-C and N1-A (Neighborhood 1).
§ The terms of the sale include:
- Purchase price of $260,000, including $10,000 earnest money deposit paid within ten business days of execution, and to be applied to the purchase price at closing;
- 30-day due diligence period; and
- 30 days to close.
§ On November 18, 2025, the Planning Committee reviewed the proposed land acquisition and had no comments.
§ The city may grant a conservation easement to the Catawba Lands Conservancy to ensure stewardship of the tree canopy and monitoring of the property in perpetuity. Catawba Lands Conservancy determines whether they would like to collaborate on an easement.
§ This property will be reforested with high quality mature hardwood forest and other native, beneficial species. Protection of the site will benefit a diversity of resident and migratory wildlife and help to protect the water quality of the local watershed.
§ The transaction is consistent with the City-Owned Real Estate and Facilities Policy, adopted by City Council in June 2017.
Background
§ In 2011, City Council adopted a goal of 50 percent tree canopy coverage by the year 2050. The TCPP supports the goal through acquisition and protection of properties that are already forested or provide planting opportunities.
§ The city’s Unified Development Ordinance allows developers to pay into the Tree Conservation Fund, housed under the Neighborhood Development Grants Fund and administered by the city, in lieu of preserving trees on site. The city uses these funds for property acquisition to support long-term tree canopy conservation and related expenditures associated with ongoing forest management and property maintenance needs.
§ To date, the TCPP has acquired and preserved more than 430 acres of land, which is double what developers would have been required to protect under the on-site tree save option.
§ The TCPP supports tree canopy policy objectives outlined in City Council’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, adopted June 21, 2021, and Urban Forest Master Plan, adopted September 25, 2017.
§ All acquisitions through the program are voluntary.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Neighborhood Development Grants Fund
Attachments
Attachment(s)
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