AGENDA DATE: 11/2/2016
TITLE:
Title
Buck Island Creek Property Acquisition
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Consideration of offer to donate 122 acre property to Albemarle County for a public park and conveyance by the County of an amended conservation easement to the Nature Conservancy
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Mahon and Crickenberger
PRESENTER (S): Bob Crickenberger
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: This request is to consider accepting the donation of a 122-acre tract donated by the Prana Land LLC for the purpose of creating a County park for the benefit of the general public. Buck Island Creek (See Attachment A) is located on the west side of State Route 53 and shares common boundaries with the Rivanna River. Access to the property would be directly from Thomas Jefferson Highway US Route 53. The Virginia Department of Transportation has determined that the existing entrance and necessary site distance are in compliance with Commercial Entrance Standards.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Educational Opportunities: Provide lifelong learning opportunities for all our Citizens
Natural Resources: Thoroughly protect and manage Albemarle County ecosystems and natural resources in both the rural and development areas to safeguard the quality of life of current and future generations
Rural Areas: Preserve the character of rural life with thriving farms and forests, traditional crossroad communities and protect scenic areas, historic sites, and biodiversity
Critical Infrastructure: Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs
DISCUSSION: In 1975, the Rivanna River was recognized as one of Virginia’s important scenic rivers, and recently, both the City and County, as well as a wide range of community stakeholders, have shown a growing interest in the river as a natural, cultural and recreational resource. Access to the river is currently limited and poorly developed. The proposed Buck Island Creek Park would be designed and developed as a unique finish to Albemarle County’s section of the emerging Rivanna River Blueway with an 11 mile trip from Darden Towe Park and a shorter 5 mile trip from the soon to be improved public boat landing at Milton. The property is in a Conservation Easement with The Nature Conservancy (See Attachment B) and the Conservancy agreed to amend the Conservation Easement to allow for the necessary infrastructure and site furnishings such as restroom facilities outside of the stream buffer, roadways using pervious surfacing materials, multi-use nature/history trails, vehicular and pedestrian access to the Rivanna River for the launching and retrieval of non-motorized boats, and a variety of other recreation opportunities.
Virginia Code § 15.2-1800 requires that the Board hold a public hearing prior to conveying this interest in County-owned real property to the Nature Conservancy.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no immediate budget impact related to the acceptance of this land gift or the conveyance of the amended conservation easement. Future budget impacts will be addressed and discussed through the CIP process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
After the public hearing, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment D) approving the County’s acquisition of the 122-acre property and the conveyance of the amended easement to the Nature Conservancy, and authorizing the County Executive to sign all documents on behalf of the County necessary for this conveyance once they have been approved as to form and substance by the County Attorney.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attach.A - Property Location
Attach.B - Deed of Gift
Attach.C - Proposed Conservation Easement
Attach.D - Resolution