Agenda - 11-20-2012 - 5j - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 20, 2012 Action Agenda Item No. 5-j SUBJECT: Proposed Land Donation by Dennis and Linda Brooks DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) and Recreation (DEAPR) It] ATTACHMENT INFORMATION CONTACT: Location Map David Stancil, 245-2510 Rich Shaw, 245-2514 John Roberts, 245-2318 PURPOSE: To consider accepting the donation of a 1.07-acre parcel in Cheeks Township from Dennis and Linda Brooks for open space and recreation purposes. BACKGROUND: In March 2012 Orange County accepted a permanent conservation easement on farmland owned by Dennis and Linda Brooks. The Brooks farm is located south of Ben Johnston Road and west of Hillsborough (Cheeks Township). The conservation easement excludes a small portion of the property that was severed from the farm by the construction of Interstate 85 several decades ago. The 1.07-acre parcel is shown on the attached map. The Brooks intend to donate this property to Orange County for open space and recreation purposes. The property is located in the critical area of Upper Eno Protected Watershed, a priority watershed for land conservation. The land is entirely forested and includes a section of a stream (Rocky Run) that flows under the interstate highway and drains to the Eno River and Lake Ben Johnston, a drinking water intake for the Town of Hillsborough. 'The land is also within the proposed NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail planning corridor, and this parcel might be suitable for the planned trail. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The anticipated County cost to acquire the property is approximately $2,000 for transaction/closing costs. County funds for this transaction would come from the Lands Legacy Fund. Existing staff and resources would be used to monitor and manage the property as part of its normal duties and responsibilities for stewardship of the nearby County-owned Seven Mile Creek Preserve. The subject property is enrolled in the Present Use Value taxation program, so the land donation would not significantly lessen the amount of property taxes paid to the County. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve of this land donation and authorize DEAPR staff to work with Dennis and Linda Brooks and the County Attorney to prepare a deed for the transfer of the subject property to Orange County.