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 wildlif...
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