The Cache County Open Space Advisory Committee voted unanimously Dec. 1 to recommend the Vivian Christiansen conservation application to the county council for Phase 2 consideration.

Angie, a COSAC staff member, reported the committee received eight scoring responses, yielding an average score of 71.6 (573 out of 800) and noted public access was the lowest-scoring category but that adjacent trail connections helped the application’s standing. "I have received 8 responses," Angie said when presenting the scoring summary.

Committee members compared Christiansen’s application to other proposals, including Elkhorn Ranch and Harris Farms, and discussed the property’s suitability for conservation and potential for trail connections along the river corridor. One member said Christiansen’s trails that run adjacent to canal or roadright-of-way strengthened the public-access case. Members also noted likely grant or matching funding from NRCS could affect any county dollar request in round 2.

A motion to recommend Phase 1 approval and advance the application to round 2 of the funding process passed without opposition. Meeting discussion referenced an appraisal range near $4.2 million for a larger property in the packet and cited the Christiansens’ request of $725,000 (reported later in the meeting as 15% of the easement value).

The committee asked staff to follow up with Debbie (staff contact) to confirm NRCS timing and to prepare a staff report for the council presentation. The COSAC’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5; staff said they will coordinate placing the Christiansen application on the county council agenda and noted committee members are welcome to attend the council meeting to present the recommendation.