Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Attorney’s Office

TO:	Toni Wheeler, City Attorney
FROM:	R. Scott Wagner, Management Analyst
CC:	Ernie Shaw, Director – Parks & Recreation
Date:	January 10, 2012
RE:	Conservation Easement – 3700 Tiffany Drive

In 2011, City Staff was contacted by the owners of 3705 Tiffany Drive who also own an adjacent, undeveloped lot commonly located at 3700 Tiffany Drive (see attached map).  The lot is platted as Lot 16 of Tiffany Addition No. 2.  The owners are interested in granting a conservation easement to the City on the undeveloped lot as it serves as a wildlife corridor between Dad Perry Park to the north and the Hidden Valley Girl Scout property to the south (see attached request).

Staff worked with the property owners to create an easement that will protect the lot from future development and preserve the existing vegetation and corridor for wildlife.  Fee simple title to the property will still belong to the current owners.  However, with the granting of the easement, the City will have certain enforcement and review of activity authority that will run with the land, and be binding on future heirs and successors.  The City will continue to have access to its sanitary sewer main that runs along the southern portion of the property.

Parks and Recreation staff is in favor of acceptance of this easement and recommend execution.

Action Requested:  Authorize the Mayor to execute a conservation easement to the City of Lawrence on property commonly located at 3700 Tiffany Drive.