Agenda - 03-30-1995 - I - Laserfiche WebLink

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601 TRIANGLE LAND CONSERVANCY office 1100A Wake Forest Road Raleigh, NC 27604 mail PO Box 13031 February 22, 1995 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3031 tel 919 833 3662 fax 919.755.9356 Mr. Moses Carey, Chair Board of Commissioners Orange County 200 South Cameron Street Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Mr. Carey: Pearson Stewart, Hildegard Ryals, Kate Dixon, and I appreciated the opportunity to discuss a land purchase proposal with you and John Link on January 31. The accompanying proposal reflects our discussion that day and some subsequent conversations. Having a ready source of funds has made land acquisition proceed much more quickly in Durham County. The Durham Board of County Commissioners has approved the use of $400,000 towards the purchase of up to 22 tracts totalling 480 acres. To date, they have negotiated three options for 112 acres using approximately $200,000. Because of all the activity in Durham County, TLC has focused its efforts on Orange County, particularly in the area along the Durham/Orange line. This is the wide floodplain that is envisioned in the master plan as a wildlife protection area with hiking trails. Recently three landowners in this area have expressed their willingness to negotiate with TLC. One of these, Max Isley, is ready to sell immediately. Because of land values in this area, TLC does not have the financial resources to purchase this land without government funding. We understand, however, that it can be difficult for Orange County to appropriate the amount of money needed on short notice. The attached proposal therefore requests that the county establish a fund for land purchase that it would contribute to annually. The balance in this fund would carry over from year to year. TLC could negotiate reasonable sales price and payment schedules with landowners and apply for money through this fund. This would establish a model public-private partnership to help protect this important area. ®recycled paper