Item:
Title
Approve acceptance of Land donation and permanent protection of 8414 Meadow View Lane (20 acres - REID 200109) for open space and authorize the County Manager to execute any necessary documents related to the acceptance and protection of this open space land.
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: January 13, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve the acceptance of a fee simple land donation by Alycia Hassett for 8414 Meadowview Lane (REID 200109); and once in county ownership, approve authorizing the Manager to sign deed restrictions to ensure the property is permanently protected open space.
These 20.6 acres are located in northern Durham County adjacent to 50 acres of existing County open space conservation land along the Little River corridor. This addition expands the County's protected land in the Little River corridor and provides improved access to the County's adjacent property. Most of the donated land is currently open land that has been maintained for hay and wildlife habitat with a border of hardwood forest. There are no structures or buildings on the property. With the parcel's proximity to the Little River Reservoir, its protection supports water quality of Durham's drinking water source and broadens the wildlife corridor along the river.
The owner wants to donate the land to Durham County to ensure the property remains permanently undeveloped and managed as open space. The donation requires landowner expenses including legal and closing fees, an appraisal for tax documentation, and back-payment of present use property taxes. The owner is generous in her commitment to donate this property (valued at $395,000) for open space protection but requests that the County reimburse her for these donor transaction costs, estimated to be no more than $16,000, and paid to her at closing. Sufficient funds are available in the Open Space and Real Estate Division's operating budget to cover these closing expenses, s...
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