Agenda - 09-16-2003-5c - Laserfiche WebLink

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adopted by Orange County, Durham County, City of Durham and Town of Chapel Hill in 1989. The Trinity School property has many conservation values which will receive permanent protection via the conservation easement. Those values include significant wildlife habitat associated with the New Hope Creek corridor and recognized by the Orange County Comprehensive Plan. The property also includes a segment of a proposed riparian trail corridor, which when completed will link protected open space in Orange and Durham counties. The proposed trail is expected to receive heavy recreational use by citizens of both Orange and Durham counties. Other proposed trails on the property will be used by the faculty and students at Trinity School for environmental education. Staff and the County Attorney have worked with TLC and the Trinity School to craft an easement that meets the School's needs and the County's interests. The easement would cover approximately 15 acres located adjacent to New Hope Creek and west of the school. Future development rights would be relinquished through the easement, with the exception of the public trail, future school trails for environmental education, and a few other minor improvements as denoted in the easement. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Triangle Land Conservancy will purchase the conservation easement and then convey the easement to Orange County. Orange County (ERCD) will assume the task of monitoring the property on an annual basis and helping to enforce the development restrictions. Orange County may need to pay some transaction costs estimated to be less than $1,000, which would be paid from the Lands Legacy Fund. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolution approving the acceptance of the conservation easement conveyance and authorize the Chair to sign the easement, subject to final review by staff and County Attorney.