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Preservation board backs appraisals for key Turnbull Creek parcels, plans March city presentation
Summary
The Turnbull Creek Preservation Board voted to recommend obtaining appraisals for two priority parcels (including an 8-acre Mittens parcel) and approved a request to present its recommendations and dredging update to the city commission in March.
Chair Atherton convened the Turnbull Creek Preservation Board and asked the membership to consider whether the city should pursue additional land acquisitions to protect and connect the Turnbull Creek corridor. The discussion centered on two parcels: an 8-acre parcel owned by Linda and Walter Mittens and an adjacent parcel owned by a relative. Staff reported the sellers were asking $1.5 million for the 8-acre parcel and advised caution; the staff recommendation initially was not to proceed with appraisals because the asking price appeared “extraordinarily high.”
Member Inglis argued the Mittens parcel is a strategically important connecting piece for the corridor and moved that the board recommend the city commission authorize two appraisals. After debate over appraisal costs (two appraisals are required by city purchasing rules, estimated at about $2,500–$3,000 total) and comparisons to taxable values, the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. Travis recorded affirmative votes for the members present (record shows the membership answering in the affirmative). The board instructed staff to forward the recommendation to the city commission for a final determination.
The board also discussed a separate Page Avenue parcel (approximately 24.5 acres; asking price noted in staff remarks as $1,250,000). Staff said those parcels are already included in the city’s Turnbull project map and that negotiation would continue; members indicated a separate recommendation to pursue appraisal and negotiation would be prepared as part of the board’s packet to the commission.
The board scheduled a special meeting for March 10 at 3:00 p.m. to finalize presentation materials and approved a formal letter requesting time on the March 25 city commission agenda to present the board’s findings, bond-issue usage, dredging updates and recommended next steps.
The board’s action is advisory: staff clarified that the commission will make the ultimate purchase decision after receiving the board’s recommendations and any required appraisals. The motion and vote were procedural steps to authorize staff to pursue appraisals and to prepare the presentation to the commission.
