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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3: Murray Hill Land Transfer ECC DR UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Murray Hill Land Transfer Meeting Date: September 27, 2010 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Neil Björklund www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-4909 ISSUE STATEMENT This session is for the City Council to take action to authorize the City Manager to execute a small land exchange in the Murray Hill area of the ridgeline park system, as requested by the Friends of the Ridgeline (a program of the Eugene Parks Foundation). BACKGROUND In February 2010, the Parks and Open Space Division received a written request from Friends of the Ridgeline to execute a three-acre land exchange of mutual interest to the Friends of the Ridgeline and to the affected adjacent private property owner. The Parks and Open Space Division has reviewed the request, and has found it to be consistent with the vision, plans and goals for the Ridgeline Park system. From 1999 to 2007, primarily using funds from the 1998 Parks Bond Measure, 78 acres of Ridgeline parkland were acquired in the vicinity of Willow Creek and Gimpl Hill roads in six separate transactions. The acquisitions provide for a future ridgeline trail connection between Gimpl Hill Road and Willow Creek Road. This portion of the ridgeline park system is generally referred to as Murray Hill. Conceptual plans for the Ridgeline Trail system contained in the Ridgeline Area Open Space Vision and Action Plan call for an additional trail connection in this area heading due west from the Murray Hill area. The preferred route for this trail would cross property currently owned by Gordon Dorn. The route is preferred because it:  is the most direct,  avoids significant obstacles such as nearby Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) towers and private driveways,  borders a priority habitat area (Oregon oak woodland), and  facilitates a connection to adjacent land owned by the Reynolds family, from whom the City has purchased land previously, and who have indicated willingness to work with us on ridgeline acquisitions in the future. In 2003, the City closed on a bargain sale of a 2.3 acre parcel owned by Lane County, which was adjacent to existing parkland and adjacent to Gordon Dorn’s property. Members of Friends of the Ridgeline discussed with Mr. Dorn the desired future trail route, and he has indicated a willingness to exchange the area desired for the future trail connection for City-owned land Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100927\S1009273.doc adjacent to the Dorn residence, as illustrated on the attached map. This exchange would facilitate the desired and planned westerly trail connection, as well as transfer additional high priority habitat into the City’s ownership, and would provide Mr. Dorn a desired additional buffer between his residence and adjacent ridgeline park land. Upon consultation with the City Attorney, it was concluded that the most appropriate process for this transaction would be the process outlined in Eugene Code Section 2.872, which provides that the council may dispose of City-owned land that is not subject to other requirements (e.g., declaring land as surplus, or governmental transactions) via a proposal submitted to the City Council for action. Consistent with those provisions, the council can adopt a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute the land exchange consistent with the terms described in the agenda item summary (AIS) and its attachments. The requested land transaction would exchange three acres of land now owned by Mr. Dorn for three acres of land now owned by the City, with no monetary consideration paid by either party. The City would cover the costs of surveying and processing the necessary lot line adjustment. Friends of the Ridgeline would cover any other incidental expenses. RELATED CITY POLICIES No policies were found relating to this proposed action. COUNCIL OPTIONS A. Approve the motion. B. Decline to approve the motion. C. Other, as directed by the council. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends that the council approve the motion. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to authorize the City Manager to proceed with an exchange of land between Gordon Dorn and the City as described above, and as shown on the attached map. ATTACHMENTS A.February 5, 2010, Letter from Friends of the Ridgeline B.Map of Requested Land Exchange FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Neil Björklund Telephone: 541-682-4909 Staff E-Mail: neil.h.bjorklund@ci.eugene.or.us Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100927\S1009273.doc Ó«®®¿§ Ø·´´ Ô¿²¼ Û¨½¸¿²¹» λ¯«»­¬ É×ÔÔÑÉ ÝÎÛÛÕ ÐÎÛÍÛÎÊÛ í ¿½®»­ ±º »¨·­¬·²¹ ܱ®² °¿®½»´ ¬± ¾» ¬®¿²­º»®®»¼ ¬± ÐÑÍ ÓËÎÎßÇ Ø×ÔÔ í ¿½®»­ ±º »¨·­·²¹ ÐÑÍ ´¿²¼ ¬± ¾» ¬®¿²­º»®®»¼ ¬± ܱ®² Ô±½¿¬·±² ±º ر«­» µ ¶ D Ô»¹»²¼ ܱ®² п®½»´ ï ·²½¸ ã ìð𠺻»¬ Ì¿¨´±¬­ Ú¬ ìððîðððìðð Ý«®®»²¬ ½·¬§ °¿®µ ´¿²¼ Í»°¬»³¾»® îðïð