Carefree Truth

Issue #215, January16, 2013

 

 

 

Gary Neiss announced that the Van Weelden Family Trust has agreed to donate 20 acres to the Carefree Preserve, via a Quit Claim, upon completion of the title search. With the 30 acres being purchased by the Town, and the 10 acres adjacent to it being donated to the Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) in conjunction with that sale, the Preserve will encompass 60 acres. While this new parcel is not contiguous to the others, Mr. Neiss stated that he will work with property owners of the land in between in hopes of expanding the open space through some of the various mechanisms available.

 

 

 

Mayor David Schwan praised the staff and particularly Mr. Neiss, who worked with the owners to facilitate this donation. He congratulated Mr. Neiss on a job well done.

 

 

 

Councilman Arthur Gimson asked if the land is free of development. Mr. Neiss replied that it is, but that it has some historic scaring from the days before Carefree's incorporation, when it was still part of unincorporated Maricopa County, but that the scarring provided legal access to the property.

 

 

 

Councilman Glenn Miller said his understanding was that DFLT would be the stewards of this property as well. Mr. Neiss confirmed that the Town would be working with DFLT on all the Preserve parcels to form a management plan. He said that DFLT may provide guided tours and help with trails, but the first step is to survey the Carefree citizens to determine their desire for access, uses, and expansion.

 

 

 

Councilman John Crane asked if there was a right of way between the properties. Mr. Neiss projected a slide (see the YouTube) and showed access to the 20 acres through the 80th Street Alignment, which goes through Grapevine Wash. From there, a dirt road easement runs through the property to the Hudson Alignment, which borders Carefree and unincorporated County, providing access between the properties. He stated that this might not be the ultimate future access.

 

 

 

Councilman Gimson asked if the parcel under discussion is similar to the parcel being purchased. Mr. Neiss said the 20 acre parcel being purchased by the Town has a greater magnitude of cultural resources, but that the environmental assets are very similar. Both contain steep slopes, deep washes, and ravines. Councilman Crane agreed that the desert on both is lush, healthy, and beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6VXit47FY8

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

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