Douglas County approves land swap with Sterling Ranch to advance Zebulon sports complex, preserves 185 acres of open space

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a First Amendment to a contract Tuesday to exchange real property with Sterling Ranch entities, a key step the county said will allow development of the proposed Zebulon regional sports complex while protecting adjacent open space and elk migration corridors.

Dan Avery, Director of County Administration, reviewed the exchange and financing options. He said the amendment would give the county 46.5 acres suitable for a sports complex, an additional 34.2 acres above the county’s prior receipt under an earlier agreement, and would preserve about 185 acres of open space that create a continuous wildlife migration corridor. In exchange, the county would convey about 23.8 acres on Moore Road and Sterling Ranch would retain certain operating rights for gym components and limited access to future ice sheets.

Staff told the board the county would budget an initial $5,000,000 toward the sports complex and…