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Kent County approves two purchases of development rights for farmland preservation
Summary
The committee recommended accepting NRCS and MDARD grants plus a landowner donation to fund purchase-of-development-rights agreements on roughly 109-acre parcels in Solon and Tyrone townships; one commissioner voiced principled opposition to the PDR model.
The Kent County Finance and Infrastructure Committee recommended that the Board accept federal and state grant funding and a landowner donation to secure purchase-of-development-rights (PDR) easements on two separate parcels, the Robinson property in Solon Township and the Kruithoff parcels in Tyrone Township.
For the Robinson property staff said the county received notice of an NRCS ACEP-ALE grant award for $218,460 to cover roughly half of the estimated fair market value of development rights on about 109 acres in Solon Township; remaining funding is expected from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and a landowner donation, and the county plans to apply to MDARD in early 2027.
Commissioner Ponstein asked for details about the county's Ag Preservation Fund held at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation; staff (Hillary) said the fund likely started with a $50,000 endowment, has grown over time and receives money from Culver's fundraisers and individual donations; staff said they would provide exact figures.
For the Kruithoff property staff said MDARD has agreed to a $157,250 grant and the landowner has agreed to donate $108,750 toward development rights on four parcels appraised at about $435,000; a previously appropriated NRCS grant will be reduced to $175,000 due to parcel and appraisal changes.
Commissioner Colman criticized the county's perpetual PDR model as antiquated and said that restrictions could prevent future owners from returning land to a natural state; Colman said they would vote against the measure. Other commissioners defended the PDR approach as a way to cluster preserved farms to support agricultural businesses. Both PDR items were recommended to the Board after committee votes.
Both items will proceed to the full Board of Commissioners for final approval and the county indicated conservation easements and related documents will be reviewed by corporate counsel prior to execution.
