Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Conservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves purchase of conservation easements on two ranch parcels; Navy to cover 75%
Summary
The board approved buying conservation-restrictive-use easements on two ranch parcels (Fray Ranch LLC and Denver Niagara), with the Navy covering 75% of the appraised easement value and the county responsible for the remainder.
The Churchill County Board of Commissioners approved agreements to purchase conservation-restrictive-use easements on two separate parcels after receiving appraisal summaries and cost-sharing terms.
Randy Hynes of the countyPublic Works Planning and Building Department briefed the board on both offers. For the Fray Ranch LLC parcel (AssessorParcel Number 006-092-09), appraisals showed an "as-is" value of $1,540,000 and a value of $1,035,000 if encumbered by the conservation easement. The appraised easement value was therefore $505,000; under the cost-share arrangement the Navy will pay 75% ($378,750) and the county's share is $126,250. Commissioners approved the purchase and two transferable development rights from that sending site.
For the Denver Niagara parcel (APN 00909105), the as-is appraisal was $688,000 and the conserved appraisal $436,000, a difference of $252,000. The Navy would pay $189,000 and the county's portion was $63,000; the board approved the purchase and associated transferable development rights as presented.
Both votes were carried by voice vote after motions to approve the agreements. County staff said the purchases align with the countyopen-space and transfer-of-development-rights program and that the agreements were structured using independent appraisals to set the easement values.
