Greenbelt Millage Council Resolution 2003, Showing Required Spending ~33% in the City

RESOLUTION ENDORSING STANDARDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF

PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES

FOR A PARKS AND GREENBELT OPEN SPACE PROGRAM

IF APPROVED BY THE VOTERS OF ANN ARBOR ON NOVEMBER 4, 2003

Whereas, Uncoordinated development in the areas around Ann Arbor has

adversely affected the quality of life in Ann Arbor leading to:

• Fragmented open space and wildlife habitat

• Loss of productive farmland and forestland

• Destruction of rural beauty which is part of the character of Ann Arbor

• Decline in water quality due to an increase in polluted runoff in the

• Huron River watershed, and the loss of wetlands

• Increased auto dependency, fuel consumption, and air pollution

• Relocation of jobs to peripheral areas

• Increased traffic congestion, commuting times and costs

• Overcrowded schools

• Excessive public costs for school construction, roads and utility extensions to dispersed development

Whereas, On August 18, 2003, the Ann Arbor City Council by resolution

determined that a need existed for a Parks and Greenbelt Open Space Program

for the acquisition and management of land and land rights in and around the

Ann Arbor community through taxes pledged to the Program;

Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Council has adopted the necessary resolution to

place amendment of Section 8.23 of the City Charter on the November 4, 2003

ballot to authorize a one-half mill tax for 30 years to replace the existing Land

Acquisition Millage of one-half mil that expires in 2004; and

Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Council desires to publicly state its intention to

establish standards for procedural guidelines for a parks and greenbelt open

space program if approved by the voters of Ann Arbor on November 4, 2003,

consistent with the following:

1. Millage revenues shall be used to purchase land and conservation easements both within the City limits and inside a greenbelt boundary line outside of the City for the preservation of open space. The proposed greenbelt boundary lines are identified on the attached map (a2gov 7-29-2019 map link) and more specifically described as: bordered on the north by a line beginning at the intersection of Zeeb Road and North Territorial Road, extending eastward to Five Mile and Curtis Road; then south to Prospect Street and Clark Road; then west along Clark Road to Golfside Drive; then south to the intersection of Munger and Morgan Road; then west to the intersection of Zeeb Road and Pleasant Lake Road; then north along Zeeb Road to the intersection of Zeeb Road and North Territorial Road.

7. Purchases of land under the Program will become part of the City park system or will be maintained in accordance with the terms and conditions of the acquisition agreement between the seller and purchasers, which may be solely the City or jointly with other governmental entities, nonprofit public or private organizations (i.e., conservation organizations, land trusts ) or individuals and any other applicable agreements (i.e., grants). Whenever the City is not to be the sole owner of the property, a conservation easement or other appropriate agreement will be executed defining the rights and responsibilities of the parties.

8. When created, the function of the Greenbelt Advisory Committee will be to recommend property that is located within the defined greenbelt area and has been voluntarily proposed for acquisition by application of the property owner(s). Other factors which may be considered as part of the recommendation process include the proximity to the City limits; characteristics of the property (species diversity, age of trees, presence of streams or wetlands etc.) size, proximity to other protected land; current or projected future use of adjacent property.

RESOLVED, That City Council endorses the establishment of procedural

guidelines for a parks and greenbelt open space program if approved by the

voters of Ann Arbor on November 4, 2003 consistent with the standards

contained in this Resolution.

Sponsored: Mayor Hieftje and Council member Johnson

Date: September 2, 2003

APPROVED

BY ANN ARBOR CITY COUNCIL

September 2, 2003

CITY CLERK

ANN ARBOR, MI