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6 <br /> <br />terms of the conservation easements as real estate developers come into this part of the <br />County looking for development opportunities. We worry that turning a blind eye to <br />easement violations and lax enforcement will set a precedent that leads to undesired <br />consequences in the near future. We also believe it will significantly impact the ability of <br />the County to attract new properties into the Lands Legacy program as landowners see <br />developers abused existing easements. If we are to protect this land into the future, the <br />County must now take up the challenge and defend these conservation easements with <br />strict interpretation and enforcement…even if it means litigation. <br /> <br />We believe the definition of the level of enforcement of the Keith Arboretum Conservation <br />Easement is a policy decision that falls squarely on the shoulders of the County <br />Commissioners….not the County Attorney, the County Manager, or the County staff. We <br />ask that you fully embrace this policy-making role, and direct the County Attorney and <br />staff to implement a conservative interpretation and strict enforcement of the terms of the <br />Keith Arboretum conservation easement. <br /> <br />We have been informed by the County Attorney that you are not able to meet id speak <br />with us, “due to the possibility that this issue may end up in litigation.” We find this <br />directive to be unacceptable. You are our elected representatives, and we have every <br />right to discuss topics of interest and concern in our community with each and every one <br />of you. We have seen meeting notes of at least one meeting between Commissioners <br />and the property owner, and the community requires the same level of access. We look <br />forward to this directive being reversed. <br /> <br />I’d like to close by letting you know that we are a very active and committed group of <br />community members who have frown up around the Keith Arboretum and Pickard <br />mountain, raised families here, and been the stewards of this land for decades. We are <br />tenacious and do not shy away from challenges. We will continue to monitor, investigate, <br />and report issues and advocate for the strict enforcement of all conservation easements <br />in this area. It is our goal to protect the conservation value of this area…and we will <br />continue to be good stewards of the land for decades to come. <br /> <br />George Buelher reviewed the following comments: <br /> <br />The Community requests Orange County to: <br />• Ensure that the conservation values of the original May 19, 2006 Keith Arboretum <br />Conservation Easement are strictly interpreted and enforced, now and in the <br />future, with NO changes. <br />• Proactively inspect the property and investigate all reports of potential <br />conservation easement violations submitted by the community. If it is determined <br />that a violation of the conservation easement is found, the County must ensure <br />that the conservation value of the property is restored and the property is put <br />back in its original state. <br />• Improve communication by: <br />o Engaging the community in a period of public comment when changes are <br />proposed for conservation easement properties. <br />o Improving communications between County departments so the <br />conservation values of the property are always known and of primary <br />interest….no matter which department is approached by a property <br />owner/developer.