meridian township’s land preservation program meridian township land preservation advisory board
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Meridian Township’s Land Preservation
Program
Meridian TownshipLand Preservation Advisory
Board
The Meridian Land Preservation Program is the first community-supported and funded program of its kind in Michigan for the acquisition and permanent preservation of ecologically important open space and natural features.
In 2000, voters approved a property tax of 0.75 mills over a 10-year period.
Properties are acquired through purchase in fee simple, conservation easement, or donation.
Since the program began, over 700 acres have been permanently protected.
Meridian’s Land Preservation Program has been recognized as a national model by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Wetland and Coastal Resources, Inc.Photo 3 courtesy of Decision Support Professionals, Inc.
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What is the purpose of the Land Preservation Program?
Protect, preserve, and enhance Meridian Township’s open spaces and natural features.Establish a reserve fund for perpetual stewardship of these lands.Enhance and sustain natural habitat and water quality.Ensure the continuation of a pleasant and livable community that will benefit our residents, visitors, and the local economy.Leave an important natural legacy for future generations.
Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Wetland and Coastal Resources, Inc.Photo 3 courtesy of Meridian Parks and Recreation
Source: Meridian Township Land Preservation Task Force Report, 2000
How is the program administered?An 8-member Land Preservation Advisory Board is appointed by the Township Board.Duties include:
Identify and evaluate candidate properties;Accept applications from landowners and negotiate property acquisitions;Advise Township Board and Planning Commission;Develop individual stewardship plan for each property in program; andPublic education.
How do properties become part of the program?
Fee simple purchase at fair market value;Purchase of conservation easement;Combination of purchase and charitable donation; orFull charitable donation.Are there tax advantages to
the landowner?
YES! There can be many possible tax advantages. Consult your tax advisor to find out what best works for you.
How can a property be considered for preservation?
Any landowner can nominate his or her property for consideration.Applications are made in writing to the Land Preservation Advisory Board c/o Township Clerk.Applications can be obtained from:
Township Clerk’s Office.Department of Community Planning and DevelopmentOn-line at http://meridian.mi.us/
What is the process for review and acquisition of a property?
1. APPLICATIONProperty owner or their designee submits application to Township Clerk.
Clerk forwards application to Land Preservation Advisory Board.
2. REVIEW and APPROVALLand Preservation Advisory Board performs ecological review of property using land screening criteria.
If property meets criteria, a real estate market appraisal is prepared.
3. NEGOTIATIONLand Preservation Advisory Board negotiates property acquisition with landowner.
4. ACCEPTANCE1. If an agreement is met, Land Preservation Advisory Board makes
recommendations to Planning Commission and Township Board.
ACQUISITIONTownship Board of Trustees votes to acquire property.
Landowner submitsApplication to
Land PreservationAdvisory Board
(LPAB) via Township Clerk
LPAB sends Confirmation Letter
to Landowner
LPAB requestsPermission toVisit Property
LPAB and Other Qualified Persons evaluate
Property using Screening Criteria
LPAB reviewsResults of
Property Screening
LPAB votesto pursueProperty
Acquisition
LPAB notifiesLandowner of
Interest in Propertyand provides
Information on Next Steps in Process
LPAB arrangesFor Appraisal
Certified Appraisercompletes
Property Appraisal
LPAB presentsAppraisal to
Landowner andbegins Negotiations
and ManagementDiscussions
LPAB presentsProperty Information,
Agreement toPurchase, and
Recommendations toPlanning Commission and Township Board
Township Board may request Additional
Information, including a Site Visit
Planning Commission reviews Master Plan
and presents Recommendations to
Township Board
Township Board votes to
Approve/Disapprove Property Acquisition
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP LAND REVIEW AND ACQUISITION PROCESSIn Accordance with Land Preservation Ordinance and Rules of Procedure
MoreInformation
needed
Interest inProperty
NoInterest
Agreementnegotiated
NoAgreement
LPABsends letter to
landowner
LPABsends letter to
landowner
Information accessible to the public.
Review, appraisal, and negotiations are not opento the public. All communications are held inconfidence with the landowner.
Candidate properties are evaluated using unique land screening criteria:
ECOLOGICAL VALUE - property contains:Ecosystems of state, regional, or local importance
Threatened or endangered species
Habitat for protected species
NATURAL/FUNCTIONAL VALUE -Upland buffer for wetlands, riparian areas, or shorelines
Woodlots or woodlands to minimize habitat fragmentation
Prime, unique soils or agricultural value
Ground water recharge, water quality enhancement; flood or storm water control
Other important, but otherwise unprotected natural features (e.g., unique landforms)
PARCEL SIZE - Large land area with significant natural resource potential5-acre or larger parcel contiguous to preserved lands (Township Park or Natural Area); or has Planned Unit Development or Conservation Easement offeredAny parcel of greater or less than 5 acres with important habitat values
SURROUNDING LAND USE - Contiguous to wetland, riparian area, parkContiguous to agricultural area, residential area, or mixed-use area
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY - Property contains no known environmental contamination
AESTHETIC VALUE - Provides open, green space that separates incompatible land uses or monotony of same uses
Provides unique multiple use opportunities SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS -
Determined on a case-by-case basis
What happens to a property once it becomes part of the program?
Each property is managed and maintained as a Natural Area under a Land Stewardship Plan prepared for that property .
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP LAND STEWARDSHIP PROCESS In Accordance with Land Preservation Ordinance and Rules of Procedure
Township Board votes to Approve
Property Acquisition
EnvironmentalConsultant
conducts PropertyAssessment
Environmental Consultant draftsStewardship Plan
LPAB reviewsStewardship Plan and Recommends
Appropriate Revisions
LPAB approvesFinal Draft
Steward Plan
Land Managerprepares
Management Plan
Land Managerconducts QuarterlyProperty Inspection
Land Managerarranges for
Boundary Survey,Signage, and
Boundary Markers
LPAB approvesFinal Draft
Management Plan
Land Manageridentifies and solicits
Input from Homeowners’ Associations
and Local Residents
PropertyAcquired
Land Managerdevelops
MaintenanceSchedule
Land Managercoordinates/
oversees LocalParticipation
Land Managerprovides AnnualReview to LPAB
Land Managercoordinates/
oversees TownshipMaintenance Crews
Land Managerdevelops
Management Modifications
LPAB approvesManagement
Recommendations
LPAB works withFormer Landowner
to reviewStewardship Goals
In summary, Land Preservation in Meridian Township . . .
Was established by a multi-stakeholder Land Preservation Task Force
Was approved and financially supported by our community
Is designed to complement—not stop or control—development
Is separate from the Township’s Park System or Greenspace Plan— but contributes to our open space assets
Operates on the principle of “willing buyer - willing seller”
Adds value to surrounding property and to the Quality of Life for all Meridian Township citizens
Most importantly, is all about protecting important and sensitive open spaces, natural areas, habitats, plants, and wildlife.
Meridian Township’s Open Spaces and Special Places
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How can I find out more about the program?
Information is available on-line at the Township’s web site, http://meridian.mi.us/ Land Preservation Program.Questions can be directed to:
Township Clerk (517) 853-4324; [email protected], Department of Community Planning and Development (517) 853-4506Natural Areas Land Manager (517) 853-4610
Charter Township of Meridian5151 Marsh RoadOkemos, Michigan 48864-1198Phone: (517) 853-4000Fax: (517) 853-4096Web Site: http://meridian.mi.us