AGENDA DATE: 10/12/2016
TITLE: Acquisition of Conservation Easements (ACE) Appraisals and Purchases for FY 2016 Applicant Class
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Request approval of appraisals and purchases of top three properties from FY 2016 ACE applicant class
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Blair, Herrick, Benish, Goodall
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND:
On May 4, 2016, the Board adopted the Acquisition of Conservation Easement (ACE) Committee's recommendation to appraise the top five ranked properties from the FY 2016 applicant pool, namely: the Brigish, Moon, Evans, G. Clarke and P. Clarke properties (see Attachment A). Based on pre-appraisal estimated easement values, the ACE Committee believed the ACE Program fund balance would be sufficient to purchase most but not all of the easements. The Committee sought pre-approval to appraise all of the top ranked properties in the event that (a) any higher-ranked applications were withdrawn or (b) the appraised values were lower than anticipated, allowing the acquisition of more easements.
Under County Code ? A.1-111(A), the Board of Supervisors determines which ACE easements are to be purchased: "From the list of applications received under section A.1-110(D), the board of supervisors shall designate the initial pool of parcels identified for conservation easements to be purchased. The size of the pool shall be based upon the funds available for easement purchases in the current fiscal year and the purchase price of each conservation easement in the pool established under section A.1-111(B)." If any applicants withdraw from consideration, other applicants may be substituted until the eligible applicants or available funding is exhausted.
After two new acquisitions last spring, the County has now acquired easements on 46 properties, protecting the open-space resources of 8,992 acres. The County has acquired these easements at...
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