Item 5: Parks and Open Space in River Road/Santa Clara

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appropriate park site. Letters of interest have been sent to these property owners, and verbal contact has been made with a few. Again unfortunately, no willing sellers have been identified. CURRENT ACQUISITION EFFORTS Staff is focusing efforts on the two properties which are of most interest by obtaining appraisals for each parcel. These are the largest parcels that are adjacent to Madison Middle School, including an 8.5 acre parcel to the north of the school and a 16 acre parcel to the east of the school. The 8.5 acre parcel is owned by the Farver family. Parks staffhave contacted Stanley and Debbie Farver and discussed Parks interest in the property. Reportedly, Deb Farver is one of six siblings owning the property and she has expressed an unwillingness to sell at farmland values. She reported that they are farming strawberries, etc. to maintain the present farm deferral with the County Assessor's Office until the property comes into the UGB, at which time the property would be subdivided to maximize profit. With no immediate plans to sell, they have said they will call Parks ifplans change. The Farver's have not returned phone calls from our right-of-way staff seeking further discussions. The easterly parcel is approximately 16 acres and is also a family owned property. The property is basically vested in Robert W. and Helen D. McClay Trust, Ann Kearney Shannon Trust, and Christopher Kearney Trust, in varying interests. These individuals appear to be scattered in various locations in California and it has proven extremely difficult to make direct contact. No telephone numbers have been located after an extensive search. Staff have written to them at least three times (to the address listed as "taxpayer") explaining the City's interests in the property, with no reply. The appraisal process is underway and being conducted by local property appraiser Charles Thompson. The required notification letters have been mailed to property owners and comparable property sales have been researched. The final appraisal report is expected to be completed by the end of October. At that time, staff will have market rate information to utilize in further negotiations with the property owners. SUMMARY Clearly the past several years have shown there are challenges associated with acquiring property for a community park in the Santa Clara area. There are few undeveloped properties remaining within the UGB that would be suitable for elements of a community park. In talking with property owners of undeveloped lands immediately outside the UGB, some are saying they intend to develop their property in the future if and when the UGB is expanded. Others indicate they wish to pass their property along to family members ifUGB expansion doesn't happen within their lifetime. Many properties in the east Santa Clara area are in use as small family farms and we are told they intend to continue farming, and value the character of farm land and the lifestyle of farming. Staffhas intensified efforts working with the identified property owners adjacent to Madison Middle School hoping to find a willing seller. However, we recognize that continued failure to find a willing seller may necessarily result in the Council wishing to resume its discussion regarding eminent domain. If you have additional questions please contact me bye-mail at iohnny.r.medlin@ci.eugene.or.us or by telephone at 682-4930. Council Memo 10.06.06 Page 2