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Board gives consensus to pursue state conservation grant and acquire Lapis property for open-space protection
Summary
Supervisors agreed to move forward with a $241,100 Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant to acquire the Lapis property (approx. 2.20 acres) for open-space preservation and to appropriate the grant funds pending final review and closing details.
Washington County staff and supervisors on Oct. 14 discussed using a Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant to acquire the Lapis property and hold it in an open‑space declaration in perpetuity or until the state can develop a future park.
Staff explained DCR (state) grant staff advised that the county may accept fee‑simple ownership and hold the property under an open space declaration; however, county legal staff previously flagged a title‑insurance concern where an underwriter indicated an easement might be insurable for government employees/contractors but not assured as a public‑use easement. County counsel said the new DCR grant contact expressed less concern about that title nuance for closing the grant and recommended pursuing the acquisition so the county could hold the parcel for potential future state park development.
The board approved consensus to proceed with closing and directed staff to process a supplemental appropriation and complete required closing paperwork. The grant amount described in the packet was $241,100 for approximately 2.20 acres; the county would hold the property in perpetuity under an open‑space declaration if the state does not ultimately assume it as a park. Supervisors stressed that the county’s acceptance of the parcel is the first step in a longer regional effort to assemble adjacent parcels and improve access to the Mendota Trail and potential future state park connections.
