Eastern Summit OSAC reports major land closings, $23M spent protecting about 16,700 acres; elects chair, sets 2026 schedule

Summit County’s Eastern Summit Agriculture Preservation and Open Lands Advisory Committee (OSAC) on its first meeting of 2026 reviewed a string of recent land-protection closings and the status of the county’s open‑space bond funds, and set governance and outreach priorities for the year.

Jess Kirby, Summit County lands director, told members the county has closed on a series of large projects in recent months, including the 910 Ranch and its 37‑acre inholding, the Anders Farm, Echo Canyon (about 4,285 acres), the Yonge Ranch, a Summit Park lot adjacent to the Basin trailhead, and an East Hoytsville property described as roughly 2,800 acres. “All in all, we have protected 16,713 acres,” Kirby said, adding the committee has spent “about $23,000,000” from the bond to date and that roughly $18,000,000 remains available, after recording closing costs and interest adjustments. Kirby and staff described several parcels (about $2,000,000 in value) as near closing or in active negotiation.

Why it matters: the committee advises county council on how to spend bond funds intended to preserve open space, water and wildlife habitat in the eastern portion of the county. OSAC’s recommendations are not final decisions — county council makes the ultimate funding and purchase approvals.

Kirby outlined how the committee evaluates Notices of…