Board reviews draft open‑space acquisition procedures required by state act

Supervisors reviewed draft procedures for acquiring open‑space interests under the Open Space Land Acquisition and Preservation Act and related Second Class Township Code requirements.

The presenter explained the draft mirrors statutory steps and includes an attached exhibit of evaluation criteria staff would use to assess candidate properties. The draft allows the board to evaluate properties on a case‑by‑case basis or to pre‑rank properties in an open‑space map, and it requires public notice and a hearing before final action.

Staff estimated basic environmental due diligence (a phase‑1 environmental assessment and related checks) at roughly $1,900–$2,000 per property and said a phase‑2 investigation would be triggered only if potential historic activity or contamination were identified. The presenter noted that funding and restrictions must be identified in advance if only part of a parcel is to be used for municipal facilities rather than preserved open space.

Board members asked whether the township should do the evaluation for all mapped properties in advance or evaluate parcels as acquisition opportunities arise; the presenter said either approach is acceptable under the act and recommended the board balance public clarity against staff workload. The draft also calls for contractual language in letters of intent and purchase agreements that preserves statutory notice and review periods.

The board did not take final action; staff were asked to refine the procedures and return them for future consideration.