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2 <br /> after the economic recession of 2009. In 2015, the County began discussions with the Town of <br /> Chapel Hill regarding a joint partnership for the soccer complex, which was reflected in both the <br /> County and Town parks and recreation master plans and CIPs (the project was subsequently <br /> pushed beyond the 10-year County CIP in June 2025). In 2022, discussions expanded to include <br /> a potential third party for the soccer complex. However, the project timetable was such that the <br /> creation of the facility was still several years out. <br /> In 2024, parties approached the County about purchase of the land for the purpose of constructing <br /> a privately-owned soccer center. An appraisal was conducted in March 2025 which found the <br /> value of the 79.05 acre property at $1,976,000 (or $24,997 per acre). Approximately 30 acres of <br /> the western part of the site (see attached map) is proposed to be retained by the County to protect <br /> the natural resources present on the property, which includes a North Carolina Natural Heritage <br /> site and a tributary of Old Field Creek. This section of the property also includes steep slopes and <br /> is beyond the area of the site that was planned for soccer fields and related amenities. Preliminary <br /> discussions between County staff and Duke Forest have been held regarding this area, as it abuts <br /> the Forest on two (2) sides. <br /> North Carolina law generally prohibits a governmental entity from conveying property with <br /> restrictions or conditions unless the property is conveyed to another governmental entity or to a <br /> nonprofit entity that will use the property for a public purpose. <br /> Interests that the County might wish to address in the sale might include: <br /> • To ensure that the use of the property is for active recreation purposes, or if desired, more <br /> specifically for a soccer field complex; <br /> • Some degree of public and local government access to the future soccer fields; <br /> • Provision of a trail corridor through the property to connect south and north to current and <br /> future open space; <br /> • As per a 2024 rezoning action, re-routing of the access easement on the property to the <br /> adjacent Acer, LLC property and low-impact recreation area be addressed in any approved <br /> site plan and plat; and <br /> • If sold to a nonprofit, including a restriction that the property reverts to the County if it <br /> ceases being used as a soccer field complex. <br /> Options for the Board to consider to facilitate this outcome given the procedural requirements for <br /> a potential sale might include: <br /> • A private negotiated sale of the property, which once completed would be announced and <br /> scheduled for action at a future Board meeting. The property sale would be accompanied <br /> by binding conditions placed on the property and benefits to both parties that would be <br /> signed prior to or during the closing. <br /> • Enter into a lease of the property of up to ten (10) years in length (the time limit allowed by <br /> law) for the purposes defined. The lease must be structured in such a way that it is not an <br /> attempt to circumvent the statutory prohibition on leases. The prohibition is that any lease <br /> of ten (10) years or longer must be treated as a sale. <br /> • The County could enter into a structured agreement with another party to contribute to the <br /> costs of upgrading the property to support a soccer complex, and contract with that party <br /> to manage the facility for a term with multiple renewal options. <br />