Washtenaw County land preservation millage up for renewal
Over the last decade, Washtenaw County taxpayers have paid $19 million to purchase 1,850 acres of land and preserve it from future development.
Now, the county is asking voters to foot the bill for land preservation for another 10 years.
School children explore the Fox Science Preserve in Scio Township off Peters Road near Miller Road. The site was once a gravel pit.
Photo courtesy of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission
A renewal of the countywide Proposal A Natural Areas Millage is on the ballot Nov. 2, and it's facing some opposition.
The Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce spoke out against the renewal in an Oct. 21 statement, questioning whether the millage is a good use of taxpayer dollars during a time of economic uncertainty and increasing scarcity of public resources.
The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners created the Natural Areas Preservation Program after 64 percent of voters agreed to pay for it in the November 2000 election, records show.
The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission has administered it since then. The tax has generated about $3 million a year for the nine years since collection began. Seventeen nature preserves have been created from the 30 parcels purchased. The preserves typically include a gravel lot for four to six cars, some signs and pathways.
The millage expires Dec. 1.
At just under one-fourth of a mill, the tax would cost the owner of a $200,000 home $24.09 a year.
That regional chamber's statement said the program's closing fund balance was $9 million and pointed out the county faces a projected $20 million deficit.
"We believe that the NAPP has a sufficiently high closing fund balance to forgo the millage renewal at present," the chamber's statement reads.
How it works
Under the ordinance, 93 percent of the cash generated must be used for land acquisition. The remainder is used to maintain the properties, such as for the development of trails, the removal of invasive species like buckthorn and prescribed burns, said Bob Tetens, director of parks and recreation. The money also supports part of the salary of a full-time maintenance worker, two seasonal maintenance employees and a part-time naturalist.
In 2009, volunteers donated about 1,000 hours to help maintain the properties, said Tom Freeman, the assistant director for parks and recreation. Freeman is in charge of administering the program.
The county program has teamed up with other land conservation groups over the years on both purchases and legal arrangements that ensure the land will remain undeveloped, Freeman said.
Collaborators have included the Ann Arbor Greenbelt Program, approved for more than 30 years in 2003 to patch together a band of green space in townships surrounding the city; land preservation initiatives connected to Ann Arbor, Pittsfield, Scio and Webster townships; as well as various land conservancy groups.
"It's an important component for quality of life," Freeman said of the 17 Washtenaw County sites, which are used by visitors for passive recreation activities like hiking and bird watching.
Freeman said 24 field visits have been scheduled this fall, most of them by schools.
The ecological makeup of the county's natural areas obtained under the program varies.
Among the more unique: a 49-acre parcel purchased from private owners in 2007. The lot includes a former gravel pit that had been unused for about 40 years. The county paid half of the $770,000 price tag, while the Ann Arbor Green Belt program and Scio Township picked up the remainder. In 2009, the county purchased an additional 20 acres to add to the site, now called the Fox Science Preserve.
The preserve is a popular destination for schoolchildren.
Others include a range of natural areas, including Huron Rive frontage, mature forests, wetlands and emerging prairie.
If renewed, the tax would generate about $3.5 million in the first year.
Juliana Keeping is a health and environment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
Roger Roth
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : noon
Isn't it elitist to try to stop other people from moving in on you? Parts of Washtenaw county are beautiful and we don't want a bunch of people coming in and screwing it up, right? Shame on us. If we're to become Wayne and Oakland Cos. then so be it. Those who don't like that are free to go elsewhere. But we all came in and spoiled it for those before us and others should have similar rights. Let's just hope they're not underhanded about it, like making up bogus land treaties and then not honoring them or just outright shooting us and taking our land. We're a bunch of hypocrites! This doesn't even address the issue of gov. ownership of land vs. private and free enterprise. Where are the conservatives and the small gov. people now? There's absolutely no consistency in thinking.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 8:13 a.m.
And another firefighter is laid off! Has Greenpees bought us some land in AA? Has Sierra Club bought up some grass and trees to look at? How about the Green Party? How about the Local Dem party? Why force your tax on everyone else? If you want green space - buy it yourself. Put your own money risk/loss/investment.
David Briegel
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
golfbum, I wish I could have an opt out for the support of the endless wars that only benefit the Perpetual War Profiteers. I don't want my community to continue down the path of the plastic, neon and concrete of the congested urban sprawl to our East and that already exists right here in our area to a much larger degree than most of us desire. Speechless, I so agree with you about the Chamber! Like so many others here, I enthusiastically support the renewal of this worthwhile millage.
Speechless
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 : 7:56 a.m.
The NAPP program is eminently worthwhile, and its cost of around $25 per household is but a pittance for green space preservation. Not much more than a ticket for an expired parking meter — wish the funding was greater. The Chamber has long been pathological in its knee-jerk opposition to any public spending that doesn't directly subsidize commercial interests. Saving open land confuses them because it doesn't generate revenue for business.
golfbum
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 : 5:18 a.m.
The county should set up a donation fund for these type of projects. Let those in favor of land preservation support the fund and those who don't can do as they wish.
Rici
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 9:52 p.m.
I'm an artist, and I create my art on green space, so I support the millage. Also, I believe the land preservation millage will support increased density over sprawl, which leads to more livable and affordable cities. It's not the starving artists/musicians living in the McMansions in the Washtenaw County equivalent of 'suburbia'...
Mike
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 6:47 p.m.
Over $10 grand per acre? Hey, Wanna buy my property?
DonBee
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 6:31 p.m.
Over $10,000 an acre Not all homes are only worth $200,000 (equalized valuation of $100,000) - Some have a higher value, some less. Blanket statements of $24 a home makes it sound like a regressive tax. 7 percent of this millage (a small fraction) can be used for maintenance, which can get slippery as to how the money is applied. Washtenaw Ave already looks like Wayne Country between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Most of the land preserved will not be on major roads, but in the rural areas in the Western part of the county. Mostly they are looking for larger tracts of land (20 acres plus) not the 0.5 acre that it takes for a Taco Bell. The major roads will continue to pop big boxes and fast food joints. The land along those roads is worth too much to sell to a program like this. Of course the county like the city could allow transit centers and parking lots to be built on this land eventually, don't believe it, look at what happened in Ann Arbor. Think carefully before you vote.
Bob Martel
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 3:41 p.m.
@ Atticus, I have to admit to eating the occasional Double Cheeseburger from time to time and, Diet Dr. Pepper is the only soft drink I ever have!
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.
Thanks Bob. I just get the sense some of these people want to stop Mcdonald's restruants from being built, because people who eat Big Mac's and drink Dr.Pepper are 'monsters', as are people who bypass Big George's to shop at Target. I happen to live in washtenaw county, and I enjoy an occaisional Big Mac, as well as fried pork chops and kraft mac n cheese. And I don't like being told that I need to start shoping at Kerrytown as apposed to Krogers.
Bob Martel
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 2:46 p.m.
@ Atticus, I think I see where you are going with your concern. Understand that the 1,800 acres protected under the Natural Area millage to date represents 0.4% (that four hundredths of a percent) of all the land in the County. If they can continue at the current rate and protect another 1,800 acres over the next ten years, they will have protected 0.8% of the land in the County. I hardly think that preventing development on less than 1% of our land will cause a shortage of land for future development.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
A2k, I'm sure you would rather live in a world where quasi-yuppies living in historic homes, shop for artisanal wines and organically grown produce in a pretentious overpriced environment... Unfortunately, that is not a way of life for 90% of the population. And it leads to intolerence of other peoples cultures, habits, and diets.
A2K
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 2:12 p.m.
Yes, we'll be voting yes on "A". Miles of hideous stripmalls, useless box stores with 2/3 empty parking lots, cheap McMansions are NOT what I want to see more of.
Leah Gunn
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 1:11 p.m.
@Atticus - every one of these sites is open to the public for passive use. These are not receation areas, such as parks with pools, water slides, ball diamonds and the like, but everyone is welcome to walk, watch for birds and wildlife, and just enjoy nature. You ought to get out and see what already exists. It is truly quite wonderful. Go to www.ewashtenaw.org, click on Parks & Recreation and click on NAPP for a map.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
TC, I just don't like the idea of the county government buying up all of the land so 'no one else can use it'.
TC
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 12:39 p.m.
Atticus, go ahead and vote against this if you like, but using the affordable real estate argument seems like poor reasoning to me.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.
Edward, that's like saying New York city is doomed to be a wasteland of big box stores, fast food joints, and strip malls. I realize we are not New York city...But we're not suburban Detoit either.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
Tlb1201, I'm not saying that people dont like those things. What I'm saying is that we need affordable real estate in order to harbor a variety of different people. I just don't want to see Washtenaw County turn into a place like West Bloomfield, where only the wealthy can afford to live here. And that might mean some future development. So I guess what I'm saying is that I do see a need to preserve land, but there needs to also be room for growth.
tlb1201
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.
Atticus, what makes you believe that the "struggling artists and musicians" enjoy the preserved areas less than the "doctors, lawyers, and buisness professionals"? Who knows, maybe they actually enjoy it more?! Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are situated within an area that is rich with natural features worth preserving for future generations. That has been part of the area's cultural heritage a lot longer than the "struggling artists and musicians", or the "doctors, lawyers, and business professionals" for that matter. What makes you so sure that the surrounding community's rural and natural character isn't part of what attracts those people to the area in the first place? Without that, Ann arbor and Ypsilantiy would just be two more college towns surrounded by generic suburbia.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 11:52 a.m.
Seeing the changes to the greater A2 area over my lifetime, I thought this a reasonable idea when it was first floated. Now my question is, how much more land do they want to buy/option? It would be nice if there was a plan with an ENDGAME, because programs like this can take on a life of their own...
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 11:45 a.m.
Mark, I didn't mean that the actual $24 cost would drive the Artist and musicians out... But that the acquisition of land would drive up the price of real estate. which has the potential to drive out the type of people that make our community unique.
kathe
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 11:23 a.m.
I also absolutely agree with Bob Martel. This millage provides so much for so little.
JSA
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.
To all those supporting the millage. Too bad. I have better uses for my money that giving it to someone else to spend for their goals. If you want it, you pay for it and leave me out.
Mark
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
Complaining about 24.09 a year as a prohibitive cost really just means that you are lying.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 10:50 a.m.
I fail to understand how raising the cost of living/rent is going to improve washtenaw county. I would like Ann Arbor, and Ypsi to retain their cultural identity....Which includes, struggling artist and musicians. Not just doctors, lawyers, and buisness professionals. I really would hate to see the county buy up a bunch of property in the interest of making property less affordable.
Leah Gunn
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 10:33 a.m.
I agree with Bob Martel. The Chamber's harangue about the county budget shows a high degree of ignorance. This millage can be used for land preservation only, and has no impact on the county's General Fund. Mr. Martel's point about lower land values is well taken. We need to preserve our beautiful and fragile lands now, for the future. I hope everyone will vote Yes on Proposal A.
Bob Martel
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 9:53 a.m.
Passage of Proposal A (the Natural Areas Millage) is important to the long-term health of Washtenaw County. $24.00 per home is a small price to pay to keep our County from looking like Oakland County which long ago missed its opportunity to preserve the rural character that it once enjoyed. The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce took a very shortsighted view in opposing this ballot proposal. Now is the best time to preserve land while prices are depressed. Land acquisition programs are about preserving the character of an area for generations to come, not about balancing this years budget. I support Proposal A and urge everyone to vote YES as well.
TC
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.
This is a wise use of money at $24 per home. Due to the economy, land is relatively cheap at this time. Take advantage, buy now, buy low. If you can't see the value of this program, just travel into the tri-county area if you want to see what a lack of foresight results in.
Mark
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 7:51 a.m.
The ONLY thing that will maintain property values is the scarcity of land available for commercial development. Look east, to the county of Wayne. Detroit is depopulated, and the inner ring suburbs are feeling the beginnings of their own ro...t. This land bank is not about preserving greenery, it is about saving our municipalities.
DagnyJ
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 7:07 a.m.
I am already paying for the Greenbelt, which I oppose. I won't support this too.
InsideTheHall
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 6:11 a.m.
NO!