Title
Land Acquisition for Tree Canopy Preservation Program
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of approximately 7.609 acres of land (parcel identification numbers 113-251-53, 113-251-54, 113-163-01, 113-163-02, 113-163-03, and 113-163-04), located at Windy Grove Road and Brenda Ann Road for $850,000,
B. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to negotiate and execute any documents necessary to complete this transaction, and
C. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to grant a conservation easement to the Catawba Lands Conservancy.
Body
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Alyson Craig, Planning, Design, and Development
Tim Porter, Planning, Design, and Development
Explanation
§ Charlotte's Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP) seeks to acquire and conserve land within Charlotte with the goal of preserving and protecting one of the city's most important natural resources: its nationally-recognized tree canopy.
§ In this instance, the broker representing the property owners approached the city to determine its interest in purchase of the properties, located in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, for the TCPP.
§ Staff assessed the property using the current TCPP conservation scoring model. The property scored high in comparison to previously TCPP-acquired and targeted properties with significant value related to property location, acres of contiguous tree canopy, overall ecosystem value, forest health, and overall conservation value.
§ Located on the properties is a high-quality mature hardwood forest, consisting of pines, oaks, maples, and other native, beneficial species. Protection of these properties will benefit a diversity of resident and migratory wildlife, provide oxygen, and help to protect the water quality of the local watershed.
§ The city will donate a conservation easement to the Catawba Lands Conservancy to ensure stewardship of the tree canopy and monitoring of the property in perpetuity.
§ The purchase price is based on appraised value and negotiations with the property owners.
§ On May 19, 2024, the Planning Committee reviewed the proposed land acquisition and had no comments.
§ This 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 Tree Canopy Preservation Program 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 in some cases to pay into the Tree Conservation Accounts, which is housed under the Neighborhood Development Grants Fund and is 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.
§ TCPP has acquired and preserved over 350 acres of land to date and protected approximately twice as much land than developers would have been required to under the on-site tree save option.
§ 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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