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Committee approves two Green Space contributions: Hilton Head property and Essex Farms easement
Summary
The committee unanimously approved recommending a $250,000 contribution toward a Hilton Head fee-simple acquisition and a $560,000 contribution toward an Essex Farms conservation/farmland-preservation easement, with presenters noting leveraged matching funds and State Conservation Bank support.
The Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to forward two Green Space funding recommendations: up to $250,000 to assist the Town of Hilton Head Island in acquiring property on Beach City Road, and up to $560,000 to contribute to a conservation/farmland-preservation easement on Essex Farms.
Mike McShane, who said he chairs the Green Space Advisory Committee, told the committee the Hilton Head property purchase price was about $1.19 million and that the town and other partners had provided nearly all remaining funding; Green Space recommended the requested grant amount. On the Essex Farms easement, McShane said the project covers roughly 900 acres, that the State Conservation Bank had approved a matching grant equal to Green Space's share, and that the landowner had offered a substantial bargain sale.
Committee members praised the leveraging of outside funds and the preservation outcome. Both motions passed by unanimous voice/hand vote.
Why it matters: The two grants use county Green Space funds to leverage state and private resources to preserve open land and fund a municipal acquisition; both items advance conservation goals established in the Green Space ordinance.
Next steps: The recommendations will be forwarded to full council for final action and the Green Space Advisory Committee will file associated grant materials and appraisals in the record.
