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Fitzgerald Lake Open Space CPA Application 05-01-2008 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION FORM I: Project Information Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area Open Space Acquisition Ð®±¶»½¬ Ì·¬´»æ Ð®±¶»½¬ Í«³³¿®§æ The project will add 1.1± acres of permanently protected wetlands, riparian corridor and upland habitat to the newly expanded western section of the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area and prevent a lot being developed in one of the most sensitive areas of the Broad Brook watershed. At purchase, the City will pay 100% of the purchase price to the City of Northampton for back taxes, so all of the funds will be retained within the city. The land will be subject to Article 97 of the Article of Amendments to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Constitution, which guarantees permanent preservation. The parcel is located along the Broad Brook riparian corridor, the primary tributary to Fitzgerald Lake, and is surrounded by Fitzgerald Lake conservation land, the city-owned Spring Grove Cemetery, an open space parcel owned by the J.F.K. Middle School and an open space parcel owned by the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. In 2007, the Conservation Commission signed an option to purchase two potentially developable parcels of land from the current owner, but only had enough funding to purchase one parcel. This application is for acquisition funding for the second parcel. The Broad Brook Coalition has agreed to pay the soft costs for the acquisition. Û¬·³¿¬»¼ ¬¿®¬ ¼¿¬»æ Í»°¬»³¾»® ïô îððè Û¬·³¿¬»¼ ½±³°´»¬·±² ¼¿¬»æ Ñ½¬±¾»® íïôîððè ÝÐß Ð®±¹®¿³ ß®»¿ ø½¸»½µ ¿´´ ¬¸¿¬ ¿°°´§÷æ II: Applicant/Developer Information Ý±²¬¿½¬ Ð»®±² ¿²¼ ±®ñ°®·³¿®§ ¿°°´·½¿²¬æ É¿§²» Ú»·¼»² Ñ®¹¿²·¦¿¬·±² ø·º ¿°°´·½¿¾´»÷æ Ò±®¬¸¿³°¬±² Ý±²»®ª¿¬·±² Ý±³³··±² Ó¿·´·²¹ ß¼¼®»æ îïð Ó¿·² Í¬®»»¬ô Î±±³ ïïô Ò±®¬¸¿³°¬±²ô Óß ðïðêð Ü¿§¬·³» °¸±²» ýæ ìïíóëèéóïîêë Ú¿¨ ýæ ìïíóëèéóïîêì Ûó³¿·´ ¿¼¼®»æ ÉÚ»·¼»²àÒ±®¬¸¿³°¬±²Óßò¹±ª III: Budget Summary Ì±¬¿´ ¾«¼¹»¬ º±® °®±¶»½¬æ üíêôððð ø°´« ¼±²¿¬»¼ ½·¬§ ¬¿ºº ¬·³»ô ²±¬ ·²½´«¼»¼÷ ÝÐß º«²¼·²¹ ®»¯«»¬æ üíïôððð ÝÐß ®»¯«»¬ ¿ °»®½»²¬¿¹» ±º ¬±¬¿´ ¾«¼¹»¬æ èêû ø×º ·²½´«¼»¼ ¿ ¿ °»®½»²¬¿¹» ±º ¬¸» »²¬·®» °®±¶»½¬ô ·²½´«¼·²¹ ¬¸» °¿®½»´ ©» ¸¿ª» ¿´®»¿¼§ ½´±»¼ ±²ô ÝÐß º«²¼·²¹ ¾»½±³» ¿¾±«¬ îðû ±º ¬¸» »²¬·®» °®±¶»½¬÷ Applicant’s Signature: ____________________________ Date Submitted: _04/30/2008__________________ Project Narrative Ð®±¶»½¬ß¼¼®»»Ý±³³«²·¬§Ð®»»®ª¿¬·±²Ý®·¬»®·¿ Acquisition for permanent protection of a range of critical and natural plant and animal habitats, including wetlands, rare or endangered species habitat, lands along major streams. Preservation of open space parcels that help define Northampton's character, including parcels that limit the expansion of development into previously rural areas. Protection of forestland and the rural character of outlying areas. Preserves valuable surface water resources, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, vernal pools and riparian zones Linkage and augmentation of open space parcels, to provide for passive recreation and wildlife movement between large natural habitat areas. Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and departments Ð®±¶»½¬Í»®ª»Ý±³³«²·¬§Ò»»¼ This project will serve all Northampton residents by providing protection of the Broad Brook Watershed, a large undeveloped area within the City that provides for passive recreation and wildlife movement between habitat areas. Ð®±¶»½¬¸¿Ý±³³«²·¬§Í«°°±®¬ This project is part of a broader effort to create an ecologically sustainable Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area. The project has already received support from the Mayor, City Council, the Office of Planning and Development and from the Broad Brook Coalition The attached letter documents the support we have received from the Broad Brook Coalition. Í«½½»Ú¿½¬±® The success of this project will be measured by: The purchase of the conservation parcel. o The active involvement of the Broad Brook Coalition in taking over routine maintenance o of the new property. The embracement of the new conservation area by the neighborhood and community. o The ability of the project to serve as a catalyst in expanding the Fitzgerald Lake o Conservation Area westward until the core area connects with critical wildlife habitat areas along Route 9 and into Williamsburg. Ó¿·²¬»²¿²½» Only a very low level of maintenance of the new parcel is required. Property boundaries get walked once a year to ensure no encroachments. Hazard trees on property boundaries get removed only if a true hazard and liability exists. Neighborhood partners (Broad Brook Coalition) maintain trails. Volunteers perform the vast majority of work. Staffing maintenance will average one day per year and total non-staff costs will average less than $250.00. Existing volunteer and city resources will be used for this work. Project Budget BBC Uses of Funds CPA RequestPartnershipTOTAL $31,000$31,000 Purchase Price $5,000$5,000 Soft costs (appraisals, legal, etc) $5,000$36,000 TOTAL$31,000 As percent of total project 86%14%100% All CPA funds will be used directly for land acquisition. Other funds will pay for soft costs. Soft-costs are based on quotes and similar experience. Some of these items may be contracted for prior to final City Council action, but no CPC funds are requested for these items. Project Timeline CPC vote………………………………Assume-June 18, 2008 City Council vote………………………July 10 and August 21, 2008 Survey…………………………………September, 2008 Prepare project for closing…………….September 1 to September 30, 2008 Closing…………………………………October 15, 2008 Project Report to CPC…………………October 31, 2008 Project Feasibility Options and preliminary title searches have been obtained. A survey and additional title work will need to be conducted and would be financed by the Broad Brook Coalition. Attachments 1. Sullivan Purchase Locus map, (11” x 17” version) showing new areas (in red) to be purchased in fee. 2. Sullivan Purchase Orthophoto map (11”x 17” version), showing larger ecosystem context.