Carefree Truth

Issue #207, December 17, 2012

 

 

 

Gary Neiss presented the proposal to purchase land using the developer impact fees earmarked for that purpose for up to 10 years. He explained that this year state laws had changed, further restricting the use of developer impact fees and when they can be spent.

 

 

 

The Town worked with the Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) to select an appropriate parcel using specific criteria. Cultural resources are archeological artifacts. Environmental resources include rock outcroppings, steep slopes, significant ridgelines, and washes. The final criteria is size, creating a meaningful preserve, and preferably one that can be expanded in the future.

 

 

 

30 acres were identified north of the Grapevine Wash and east of the 80th Street alignment, in the foothills of Continental Mountain in northern Carefree. The parcel meets the defined criteria and contains large stands of saguaros, as well as providing magnificent view corridors. Slides in the YouTube show a photo and the map location of the property. There are petroglyphs on an adjacent 10 acre parcel that the property owners will donate to DFLT as part of the transaction.

 

 

 

At the height of the market, property like this sold for $100,000 per acre. Carefree is buying the 30 acres for $280,000. The Realtor has agreed to waive his commission, reducing the price by $11,200. This brings it down to $268,800, or $8,960 per acre, plus 1/2 of the survey costs, closing costs, and any legal fees. All of these costs will be paid from the dedicated Open Space Fund. The purchase agreement must be completed by January 10th, and it must close on or before January 18th. The title will be in the form of a General Warranty Deed.

 

 

 

Carefree will enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with DFLT, who will be the stewards of the Carefree Preserve. A management plan will be built based on citizen input for desired access and uses. Sonia Perillo, of DFLT, said that records go back to the 1980s documenting preservation interest in this area. She called this acquisition a great success for the community, an accomplishment to be celebrated.

 

 

 

DFLT will talk to surrounding property owners to see if they are interested in participating in the expansion of the Preserve, using any of the many tools in the tool chest. Conservation easements allow owners to retain ownership but restrict some or all of their rights to develop the property. Land can also be donated or purchased, and DFLT will inform owners of other government agency programs which can facilitate contributing their land to this project.

 

 

 

Mr. Neiss called this the legacy that trumps all the other many accomplishments of this Council, something meaningful for future generations. Mayor David Schwan thanked the staff for working with DFLT, and thanked Gary Neiss in particular for making this happen. Councilman Glenn Miller reminded everyone that Carefree also donated $100,000 to Cave Creek to help preserve Spur Cross.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDCEY2W2rDU

 

 

 

The Town thanks:

Sonia Perillo-Executive Director of DFLT

Vicki Domonkos-Conservation Director of DFLT

Mark Hazelton-Russ Lyon Realty

The Davis Family Trust-owners of the property

 

 

 

Here's to a job well done by all!

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

"Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved."

William Jennings Bryan

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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