Property owners and Mendon open-space committee discuss conservation easement for Van Wagner parcel

MENDON — Owners of the parcel commonly called the Van Wagner farm described continuing interest in pursuing a conservation easement with Mendon’s Open Space Committee on Wednesday, and committee staff outlined the next procedural steps, including an appraisal and coordination with a land trust.

Cortland, chair of the committee, opened the discussion by noting the committee’s recent work with the city council on the Heart of Midway initiative and then invited the landowners to present. "I'm Bob Newberry, one of the owners of the property that's listed for discussion today," said Bob Newberry. Tyson Miller introduced himself as an owner as well.

Marissa, the committee staff member who is managing owner contacts, told the committee that "the Tyson Miller family is still working through some things on their end," and Michael (staff) added that a recent conference call with the family and conservation partners went well. Michael said an appraisal will be part of moving forward and that the trust/third party will help define the city's ask and any funding request.

Committee members pressed for practical details. They asked about the parcel's current use and access, whether houses might be placed on the lot, and the status of water rights and wetlands. The owners described the land as agricultural/greenbelt and said portions follow a ditch and culvert; they said they had a wetland evaluation before purchase and referenced a wetland study completed in about 2015.

Michael and other committee members emphasized the parcel's value to the town’s trail network, describing it as the "missing link" that would connect Raven Farms and South Hill and saying preservation would add broader open-space value. The committee discussed outreach options, noting about "25 to 30" neighboring properties that should be informed; they suggested a neighborhood night or a presentation at a regular meeting.

On process, committee staff explained the initial administrative step is a short Notice of Interest (NOI) that puts the owners' intent on file. A land trust such as Utah Openlands or Summitlands Conservancy typically drafts and holds the conservation easement and helps assemble funding. "One of the trusts will be the ones that will hold the conservation easement," a staff member said.

Committee members also discussed acceptance criteria for parcels and emphasized they will not accept token-sized pieces that amount to a single backyard; they encouraged the owners to move forward with the simple initial paperwork and promised staff follow-up.

The meeting also included brief updates on the Lundin property (staff said one remaining signature is pending) and a reference to the city council's approval of the Heart of Midway proposal; Cortland said the council had approved the measure on a 5-0 vote and cited the committee's recommended funding language as part of the council materials.

The committee agreed that staff (Michael and Cortland) would follow up with the family and conservation partners and that owners should submit the initial NOI before the committee’s next meeting, scheduled for Aug. 5. No formal committee action on the easement was taken at this meeting.