AGENDA DATE: 5/4/2016
TITLE: Acquisition of Conservation Easements (ACE) Ranking Order for FY 2015-16 Applicant Class
Title
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Request approval of final ranking order and appraisal of top five properties from FY 2016 ACE applicant pool
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Davis, Herrick, Benish, and Goodall
PRESENTER (S): Ches Goodall
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to sections A.1-110(G) and A.1-110(H) of the ACE Ordinance, the Board of Supervisors reviews the list of parcels ranked by the ACE Committee and identifies parcels on which it desires to acquire conservation easements. Each conservation easement identified by the Board for purchase is appraised by an independent appraiser chosen by the County.
On October 31, 2015, five new applicants enrolled in the FY16 applicant class. Staff recently evaluated each of the properties from this applicant pool according to the ACE Ordinance ranking evaluation criteria. These objective criteria include: open space resources; threat of conversion to developed use; natural, scenic and cultural resources; and County fund leveraging from outside sources. Based on the results of the evaluation, staff has determined the eligibility of the properties and has ranked them in order (see Attachments A and B). These results were presented to the ACE Committee, which unanimously approved the proposed ranking at its April 11, 2016 meeting.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Natural Resources: Thoughtfully protect and manage Albemarle County's 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 protected scenic areas, historic sites, and biodiversity.
DISCUSSION:
All five properties under c...
Click here for full text