Title
Land Acquisition for Tree Canopy Preservation Program
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of an approximately 19.43-acre parcel (parcel identification number 043-106-27) located at 4732 W. Sugar Creek Road for a purchase price of $670,000, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute any documents necessary to complete these transactions.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Mike Davis, Engineering and Property Management
Tony Korolos, Engineering and Property Management
Tim Porter, Engineering and Property Management
Explanation
§ The Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP) supports the goals and initiatives outlined in City Council’s Urban Forest Master Plan, adopted on September 25, 2017. The program supports the goal of canopy cover and preservation through acquisition and protection of properties that are already forested or provide planting opportunities.
§ The city’s Tree Ordinance, adopted in 2011, 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.
§ The program has gained national recognition and received local awards. It has been adopted as an innovative model in other cities, including Atlanta, Georgia.
§ TCPP has acquired 224 acres to date and protected three times greater tree canopy than developers would have been required to under the on-site tree save option.
§ All acquisitions through the program are voluntary.
§ The property, located in Council District 2, was assessed based on location, forest quality and/or replanting opportunities, conservation value and partnership opportunities, and determined to be a good candidate for acquisition.
§ The purchase price was negotiated with the property owners based on appraised value and the list price.
§ The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the land purchase for the TCPP on November 20, 2018.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Tree Ordinance Mitigation Fund
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Map