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Committee flags Cemetery Ridge as costly and development-limited; no purchase recommended now
Summary
Members reviewed Cemetery Ridge (roughly 72 acres listed at about $12.5 million), noted steep slopes, secondary-access and zoning constraints that limit buildable units to roughly 10'15, and concluded acquisition would be expensive and is not recommended at this time.
The Midway Open Space Committee discussed Cemetery Ridge and surrounding parcels and concluded the property is likely expensive to acquire and difficult to develop into many homes due to slope and access constraints.
Speakers said an investor-attorney has bought roughly 72 acres in the area and listed the parcel for about $12.5 million; committee members noted the owner's land basis appears to be roughly $3'3.5 million based on MLS records and said the owner appears to be "patient money" holding the land for a higher future return.
Technical constraints were central to the discussion. Members cited steep slopes (25'30% thresholds in the code), limited secondary access options and sensitive-land protections that reduce allowable density on hillside parcels. Estimates in the discussion ranged to about 10'15 potential lots if development were to proceed, but members said building would be expensive because of road and site costs.
Committee members recommended monitoring the property and maintaining periodic contact with the landowner rather than making an immediate acquisition offer; several members said the parcel may remain a candidate for future conservation if prices or owner willingness change.
