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Saw Mill Hills Open Space CPA Application 05-01-2008 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION FORM I: Project Information Saw Mill Hills/Mineral Hills Conservation Area Connector Ð®±¶»½¬ Ì·¬´»æ Ð®±¶»½¬ Í«³³¿®§æ This high priority open space acquisition project will protect 10 acres of land, which includes a section of Parsons Brook, a tributary stream, a vernal pool complex, bordering vegetated wetlands, and upland habitat. The project will also prevent the expansion of development into the ridgeline area of Saw Mill Hills, and will provide a connection from the Saw Mill Hills Conservation Area to the Mineral Hills Conservation Area. The land will be subject to Article 97 of the Article of Amendments to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Constitution, which guarantees permanent preservation. The option to purchase requires the current owner to remove two dilapidated houses, which would cost the City approximately $25,000 to $30,000. One house to be removed is located adjacent to Parsons Brook, a large wetlands complex and a species rich vernal pool. The house and appurtenances will be completely removed and the area will be restored to its natural state. The other house to be removed is located along a residential section of Ryan Road, away from the resource areas, where the City plans on subdividing the land into two small building lots, approximately 0.75- 1.00 acre each, which will be sold for approximately $85,000-$120,000 each. The funds received from the sale of these lots will be returned to the Community Preservation Committee. Û¬·³¿¬»¼ ¬¿®¬ ¼¿¬»æ Í»°¬»³¾»® ïô îððè Û¬·³¿¬»¼ ½±³°´»¬·±² ¼¿¬»æ Í»°¬»³¾»® íðô îððç 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 üíèëôððð ø°´« ¼±²¿¬»¼ ½·¬§ ¬¿ºº ¬·³»ô ²±¬ ·²½´«¼»¼÷ ÝÐß º«²¼·²¹ ®»¯«»¬æ üíèëôððð ööøÞ»¬©»»² üïéðôððð ¿²¼ üîìðôððð ®»¬«®²»¼ ¬± Ý±³³«²·¬§ Ð®»»®ª¿¬·±² Ú«²¼ ±²½» ¾«·´¼·²¹ ´±¬ ¿®» ±´¼÷ ÝÐß ®»¯«»¬ ¿ °»®½»²¬¿¹» ±º ¬±¬¿´ ¾«¼¹»¬æ ïððû ööøììû ¬± êîû÷ 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, wetlands and the rural character of outlying areas. Protection of key parcels in one of the last remaining large undeveloped areas of town. Passive recreation opportunities throughout the city. Linkage and augmentation of open space parcels, to provide for passive recreation and wildlife movement between large natural habitat areas. Ð®±¶»½¬Í»®ª»Ý±³³«²·¬§Ò»»¼ This project will serve all Northampton residents by providing passive recreation. It also encourages development that is sensitive to ecological resources. Ð®±¶»½¬¸¿Ý±³³«²·¬§Í«°°±®¬ This project is part of a broader effort to create an ecologically sustainable Saw Mill Hills Conservation Area and a connection to the Mineral Hills Conservation Area. The Northampton Conservation Commission, Broad Brook Coalition, and Nonotuck Land Fund have all provided very strong support for the project. The attached letters document some of the support we have received from the Nonotuck Land Fund. Í«½½»Ú¿½¬±® The success of this project will be measured by: The purchase of the conservation parcel. o The sale of two lots in an existing residential area. o The active involvement of the Friends of Saw Mill Hills/Mineral Hills group in taking o over routine maintenance of the new property. The embracement of the new conservation area by the community. o The ability of the project to serve as a connection between the Saw Mill Hill Conservation o Area and the Mineral Hills Conservation Area 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 maintain trails. Volunteers perform the vast majority of work. Staffing maintenance will average two days per year and total non-staff costs will average less than $500. Existing volunteer and city resources will be used for this work. Project Budget Uses of Funds CPA Request $385,000 Purchase Price to be borrowed from CPA Fund -$170,000 to –$240,000 Dollars to be returned to CPA Fund after sale of lots $145,000 to $215,000 Total CPA funds for project (after sale) ~$4,000 Soft Costs (survey, appraisal,) OPD will fundraise amount 44%-62% CPA Funds as percent of total project Project Timeline CPC vote………………………………Assume June 18, 2008 City Council vote………………………July 10 and August 21, 2008 Prepare project for closing…………….September 1 to September 30, 2008 Closing…………………………………September 30, 2008 Subdivide Land into two building lots…October, 2008 Lots to be placed on market…………….November 2008 Attachments 1. Saw Mill Hills Locus Map (11” x 17” version), showing new area (in red) to be purchased in fee. 2. Saw Mill Hills Orthophoto map (11”x 17” version), showing larger ecosystem context. 3. Saw Mill Hills Resource Area map (11”x 17” version) showing the resources on the parcel. 4. Saw Mill Hills Lot Plan map (11”x 17” version) showing the houses to be removed and the area to be subdivided.