Title
Land Purchase for Tree Canopy Preservation Program
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of an approximately 27-acre parcel (parcel identification number 047-351-02) located at 9022 Research Drive in University Research Park for the amount of $1,200,000, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and grant a conservation easement to Catawba Lands Conservancy.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Mike Davis, Engineering and Property Management
Tim Porter, Engineering and Property Management
Tony Korolos, Engineering and Property Management
Explanation
§ The City’s Tree Ordinance allows developers to pay into the Tree Ordinance Mitigation Fund, administered by the City, in lieu of saving trees on site. The City uses these funds for property acquisition and expenditures associated with ongoing tree preservation and maintenance.
§ Staff identified this property as a good candidate for the Tree Canopy Preservation Program due to location, forest quality, conservation value, and partnership opportunities. The property adjacent to Mallard Creek Greenway features mature forest habitat important for conservation and offers a partnership opportunity with the Catawba Lands Conservancy, meeting the program criteria.
§ Staff negotiated the purchase price with the property owner based on appraised value and the desired sales price.
§ 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 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission recommended approval for the City to purchase the land on March 21, 2017.
§ This transaction is consistent with the Council City-Owned Real Estate and Facilities Policy because it fulfills a City ordinance requirement and addresses Council’s priority for 50% tree canopy coverage by 2050.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Tree Ordinance Mitigation Fund
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Map