Agenda 12-14-21; 8-e - Approval of Trail Easement – Edward Johnson Property

Browse Search

1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 14, 2021 Action Agenda Item No. 8-e SUBJECT: Approval of Trail Easement — Edward Johnson Property DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Location Map David Stancil, 245-2510 2. Site Map Christian Hirni, 245-2514 3. Trail Easement PURPOSE: To accept a trail easement donation for the purpose of construction of a section of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST). BACKGROUND: Edward Johnson owns two parcels totaling approximately 62 acres adjacent to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) Cane Creek Reservoir lands in Bingham Township. OWASA currently holds a conservation easement on a portion of the land, which was amended to allow the Mountains to Sea Trail in July of 2020. During prior MST public meetings, Mr. Johnson declared an interest to also donate land for a trail easement along a section of Turkey Hill Creek for the MST. In the trail easement, the landowner retains ownership of the land and property rights not conveyed, but allows for the right of public access and the County's right to construct and maintain a trail for the purposes of the Mountains to Sea Trail. Because of the location near the intersection of Bradshaw Quarry Road and Buckhorn Road, and its adjacency to the OWASA Cane Creek Reservoir lands where the MST would traverse, it is a vital connection point for the MST in this area. Please see the attached maps. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Since this is a trail easement donation, there is no purchase cost of the trail easement. Estimated closing costs (easement survey, title search, recording fees, etc.) are projected to be approximately $15,000-$20,000 to be paid from existing Mountains to Sea Trail capital project funds (current $315,000 balance). SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impacts associated with this item. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts are applicable to this item: • CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1) promoting public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single- occupancy vehicles, and 3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel.