Title
Land Acquisition for Tree Canopy Preservation Program
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of approximately 7.790 acres of property (parcel identification number 217-021-47) located at 16521 Shallow Pond Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, for the purchase price of $918,480,
B. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to grant a conservation easement to the Catawba Lands Conservancy, and
C. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to negotiate and execute any documents necessary to complete these transactions.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Monica Holmes, Planning, Design, and Development
Tim Porter, Planning, Design, and Development
Explanation
* The city was approached by the broker representing for the owner of Shallow Pond Road to determine interest in an acquisition for the Tree Canopy Preservation Program (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.
* The property contains high quality mature hardwood forest, consisting of several large white oak trees and other native, beneficial species. Protection of the site will benefit a diversity of resident and migratory wildlife, provide oxygen, and help to protect the water quality of the local watershed.
* The property, located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, is in general proximity to numerous development projects that submitted tree save payment-in-lieu fees.
* 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.
* Staff negotiated the purchase price with the property owners based on appraised value and the list price.
* The transaction is consistent with the City-Owned Real Estate and Facilities ...
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