Agenda - 12-10-2013 - 6f - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 Fern Creek Conservation Easement OEM= (10) the special use assessment of farm and forestland as set forth in NCGS § 105-277.2 et seq., which allows for lower property tax rates for land enrolled in active agricultural uses. D. The characteristics and conservation values of the Easement Area, its current use and state of improvement, are described in a report entitled"Baseline Documentation Report for the Fern Creek Conservation Easement," dated December 2013 (hereafter"the Baseline Report") prepared by Orange County DEAPR for the Grantor, of which a summary is attached as Exhibit B to this Conservation Easement. The Grantor worked with the Grantee to ensure that the report is a complete and accurate description of the Easement Area as of the date of this Conservation Easement. It will be used by the Grantor and Grantee to assure that any future changes in the use of the Easement Area will be consistent with the terms of this Conservation Easement. However, the Baseline Report is not intended to preclude the use of other evidence to establish the present condition of the Easement Area if there is a question about its use. E. The Grantor and Grantee have the common purpose of conserving the above-described conservation values of the Easement Area in perpetuity, and the State of North Carolina has authorized the creation of Conservation Easements pursuant to the terms of the North Carolina Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121-34 et seq., and G.S. § 153A-176 and G.S. § 160A-266 - 279, which provide for the enforceability of restrictions, easements, covenants or conditions "appropriate to retaining land or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic or open condition or in agricultural, horticultural, farming, or forest uses," and which provide for tax assessment of lands subject to such agreements "on the basis of the true value of the land and improvements less any reduction in value caused by the agreement"; and the Grantor and Grantee wish to avail themselves of the provisions of those laws. NOW, THEREFORE, the Grantor, as an absolute gift of no monetary consideration, but in consideration of the facts recited above and of the mutual covenants, terms, conditions and restrictions contained herein, hereby gives, grants and conveys unto the Grantee, its successors and assigns, forever and in perpetuity for the benefit of the people of North Carolina, a Conservation Easement over the Easement Area of the nature and character as follows: With the exception of those rights retained herein, Grantor conveys to Grantee all development rights that are now or hereafter allocated to, implied, reserved or inherent in the Easement Area, and the parties agree that such rights are terminated and extinguished, and may not be used on or transmitted to any portion of the Easement Area, as it now or hereafter may be bounded or described, or to any other property. 1. PURPOSE. As outlined in the Recitals above, the purposes of this Conservation Easement are to ensure that the Easement Area will be retained forever, predominantly in its Page 4 of 16