DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Acquisition Of Easements On Wolfson Property And Authorization To Amend 2022 Environmental Resources Capital Improvement Program Budget
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Wolfson family, through Wolfson Commercial Properties LLC (Wolfson), owns 9.91 acres in the City of Rosemount (City), including high-quality forest and wetlands; and
WHEREAS, the 2001 Farmland and Natural Area Protection Plan identified the Wolfson property as one of the top ten sites to protect in the County; and
WHEREAS, the Wolfson property is located within the Lebanon Hills Conservation Focus Area identified as a priority area within the 2020 Land Conservation Plan for Dakota County; and
WHEREAS the Vermillion Highlands Greenway Master Plan identifies a segment of the Vermillion Highlands Greenway for development within the Wolfson property; and
WHEREAS in 2021, the County and the City renewed discussion with the Wolfson's about acquisition options in association with planned residential development of adjacent property; and
WHEREAS the proposed land protection project included the County acquiring an 8.32-acre natural area conservation easement (NA Easement) and a 1.59-acre Vermillion Highlands Regional Greenway Easement (Corridor Easement), with the City acquiring fee title and managing the entire property as a new City park; and
WHEREAS, County staff completed and approved an appraisal of the Wolfson property in July 2022; and
WHEREAS, during subsequent negotiations, the County, City, and Wolfson's agreed to a sale price approximately 6.5 percent greater than the appraised total value or $337,000, including $254,700 for the NA Easement and $48,100 for the Corridor Easement; and
WHEREAS, the estimated closing costs are $2,200; and
WHEREAS, the Rosemount City Council has previously approved acquisition of the adjacent McMenomy property and expressed similar support to acquire the Wolfson property; a...
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