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Greenbelt staff reports 98-acre donation to Ann Arbor Township; St. John’s and Enos sales advance
Summary
City staff told the commission that Ann Arbor Township received a 98-acre donation, described progress on several Greenbelt projects and flagged a staffing change in a statewide grant program.
City staff reported to the Greenbelt Advisory Commission that Ann Arbor Township received a donation of 98 acres near Whitmore Lake and Joy Road and that the township is considering parkland or conservation uses for the site.
Rosie, the city’s Greenbelt staffer, told commissioners the donation sits near existing conserved properties and that the township is evaluating options. "Ann Arbor Township received the donation of 98 acres on Whitmore Lake and Joy Road," Rosie said during the staff report.
Staff also updated commissioners on Greenbelt projects in active review. Sales contracts for St. John’s and Enos are in legal review while staff work on clearing title for pipeline easements that affect those parcels. Hicks is at the county review stage after the township submitted due diligence; Morley awaits an environmental site assessment before city review. Rosie said federal funding is involved with Hicks, which can add time to the process.
Rosie also summarized other initiatives: the Blue Belt (a related review effort) is entering a review period and there is ongoing work on the buy-protect-sell initiative, which staff said is still actively seeking candidate properties. She encouraged members and the public to alert staff to available farmland in the Greenbelt.
Staff noted a leadership change in a statewide grant program. Rosie thanked Brian Thomas, described in the meeting as the state’s ASAP ALE coordinator who has left the role; she praised his advocacy and help securing additional funds for Michigan projects.
Why it matters: the donations and project updates show new land acquisitions and movement toward closing on several Greenbelt conservation deals. The Blue Belt and buy-protect-sell initiatives signal ongoing strategy work across jurisdictions.
Next steps: staff said they are clearing title, reviewing environmental site assessments where required, and continuing legal review of sales contracts. The city will proceed on each parcel according to due-diligence outcomes and funding conditions.
