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Board accepts donation of four wooded parcels for open space protection
Summary
Property owner offered to deed four wooded parcels (12.79, 10.47, 5.0 and 2.0 acres) adjacent to state forest land to the township; board accepted the donation conditioned on payment of any outstanding back taxes and recorded the acceptance by motion.
Staff reported that property owner Barbara Janowski offered to donate four adjacent wooded parcels to Harris Township; the parcels contain no buildings, have no direct access to a public road, and lie in the township's natural areas zoning district.
Staff noted the combined acreage and gave parcel sizes (12.79, 10.47, 5 and 2 acres) and recommended acceptance for open‑space protection, with the condition that any unpaid back taxes be paid prior to transfer. The packet showed township municipal tax revenue foregone for 2025 would total about $4,427.94 (municipal portion only); staff also said total school and municipal taxes would represent a larger sum the township would forgo if it accepted the deed.
Supervisor 10 moved to accept the donation with the condition that back taxes be paid prior to transfer; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Board members discussed potential future uses including habitat and watershed protection, possible partnership with state or conservation organizations, and the limited development potential of the parcels given their zoning and lack of road access. No transaction documents were signed at the meeting; staff will work with the donor's attorney to finalize deeds if the donor meets the tax‑payoff condition.
