Title
Land Acquisition for Tree Canopy Preservation Program
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of an approximately 0.171-acre parcel located at Justice Avenue (parcel identification number 077-089-05) in the amount of $42,500,
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 approached the owner of this property to determine interest in selling for the Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP). The property is located on Justice Avenue in Council District 1.
* The city is currently working to acquire several additional parcels along Justice Avenue and already owns several properties west of the site along Atando Avenue.
* The parcel is zoned N1-D (Neighborhood 1).
* The terms of the sale include:
* Purchase price of $42,500, including $2,500 earnest money deposit paid within five days of execution, and to be applied to the purchase price at closing;
* 60-day due diligence period; and
* 30-days to close.
* On April 15, 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.
* The property contains 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 Pol...
Click here for full text