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B. Eligibility Criteria <br />In order for a repurchase request to be considered, the following criteria must be <br />met: The original purchase of conservation easements must have occurred at least <br />twenty (20) years prior to the request for repurchase and the conservation <br />easements must have been purchased by and not donated to the County. <br />C. Repurchase Procedure <br />A landowner requesting a review of his property for possible repurchase of <br />conservation easements should do 'so by certified letter to the Board. The letter <br />should state the reason for the request and the date that the property was entered <br />into the program. Any repurchase.agreement included in a perpetual conservation <br />easement must comply with the North Carolina Ii'istorie Preservation and <br />Conservation Agreements Act and applicable Federal and State tax laws. <br />Upon approval in principle to the repurchase, the landowner must submit two <br />appraisals of value for the property in question. One appraisal will establish the . <br />fair market value of the property at its current highest and best use. The second <br />appraisal will establish the value of the property for agricultural or open space use. <br />Other appraisals may secured as necessary. <br />The Board will review the-appraisal values and decide to either recommend a <br />repurchase price to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners or decline to <br />recommend repurchase. _ <br />If a repurchase price is approved by the Board of Commissioners, the landowner <br />will be notified. If the price is acceptable to the landowner, he/she will submit a <br />written offer to purchase the conservation easements. The County may accept the <br />bid and advertise for upset bids. If an agreement is reached, a contract to convey <br />will be signed promptly by the landowner and the. County Board of Commissioners <br />or their designee. <br />The landowner will secure all legal documents necessary for the closing and will <br />bear all associated costs. <br />When legal documents are prepared and adequate financing is available, a date, <br />time, and location for closing wilt be agreed upon. Payment shall be made directly <br />to the County at closing by a certified check or equivalent payment'. <br />VII. Property Use Restrictions <br />In addition to restrictions set out elsewhere in these guidelines, the following restrictions <br />will apply to property 'included in the purchase, lease or donation of conservation <br />10 <br />