Item:
Title
Approve the acceptance of an 8.2-acre conservation easement donation from James Tcheng and Marianne Powers at 5824 Garrett Road (REID 136160) for the purpose of permanently protected open space.
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: November 10, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve the acceptance of an 8.2-acre conservation easement donation from James Tcheng and Marianne Powers at 5824 Garrett Road (REID 136160) for the purpose of permanently protected open space.
James Tcheng and Marianne Powers wish to permanently protect their 8.2-acre property at 5824 Garrett Road by donating a conservation easement to Durham County. Longtime residents of the area, they have lived adjacent to this land for 29 years and purchased it in 2003. Their goal is to ensure the property remains protected from future development.
Under the terms of the conservation easement, the owners will retain full fee ownership of the land, while Durham County will hold the conservation easement, which will permanently prohibit future development or subdivision of the parcel. The County will also be responsible for annual monitoring to ensure compliance with the easement terms.
The owners’ donation is a generous commitment, with the estimated value of the conservation easement approximately $480,000. Durham County’s only anticipated costs are related to closing and title work, estimated at no more than $5,000. These expenses can be covered by existing funds in the Open Space and Real Estate Division’s operating budget, and no additional funding is requested.
The Durham Open Space and Trails (DOST) Commission voted unanimously to support the County’s acceptance of this conservation easement at their September 17 meeting.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: The protection of land for permanent open space aligns with Strategic Plan Goal 4: Environment - Protect natural resources and support and promote community and economic viability for all residents of Durham County, through the Natural Resource Stewardship and Protection Objective to protect and steward natural resources.
Resource Persons: Celeste Burns, Open Space & Real Estate Manager; Peri Manns, Deputy Director of Engineering and Environmental Services; Jay Gibson, Director of Engineering and Environmental Services
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board approve the acceptance of an 8.2-acre conservation easement donation from James Tcheng and Marianne Powers at 5824 Garrett Road (REID 136160) for the purpose of permanently protected open space.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________