Title
Approval of Hawthorne Land Acquisition
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to authorize the City Manager to sign the necessary documents to purchase the Hawthorne property subsequent to the liens being worked out by the owner during closing.
Report
Issue:
Whether to purchase the Hawthorne Parcel.
Staff Contact:
David Hanna, Associate Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8020
Dave Okerlund, Program & Planning Supervisor, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Hawthorne parcel is in northeast Olympia and is 2.98 acres in size. It is located in the 1800 block of Yew Ave. NE., and extends north to Pine Ave. The parcel is comprised of four undeveloped lots, surrounded by single-family residences to the east, south and west. The property encompasses a shallow ravine formed by the headwaters of Mission Creek and is totally covered by dense, native vegetation. The entire property is within a critical area (stream) buffer. Mission Creek flows north from this property to and through Mission Creek Nature Park. At that point, Mission Creek flows northwest to Budd inlet, via a small estuary within Priest Point Park. The potential exists in the future to link this property to Mission Creek Nature Park via the acquisition of several intervening, undeveloped properties.
This acquisition is supported by the following goals and policies of the Olympia Comprehensive Plan:
• GN4- The waters and processes of Budd Inlet and other marine waters are protected from degrading impacts and significantly improved through upland and shoreline preservation and restoration.
• PN2.1- Acquire and preserve land by a set of priorities that considers environmental benefits, such as stormwater management, wildlife habitat, or access to recreation opportunities.
• PN2.2- Preserve land when there are opportunities to make connections between healthy systems; for example land parcels in a stream corridor.
The purchase price is $60,000, which is the fair market value determined by an appraisal prepared by R.F. Duncan and Associates on 10/16/15. City Legal staff has reviewed the title report for the property and has identified several liens against the property that will need to be worked out by the owner during closing. City Legal staff has also reviewed and approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement as to form.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None identified.
Options:
1. Move to authorize the City Manager to sign the necessary documents to purchase the Hawthorne property subsequent to the liens being worked out by the owner during closing.
a. The City will have more control over the headwaters of Mission Creek.
2. Do not authorize the City Manager to purchase the Hawthorne property.
a. The City will have less control over the headwaters of Mission Creek.
b. The headwaters will be protected solely by the critical area (stream) buffer.
Financial Impact:
As the property will provide open space, wildlife habitat and water resources benefits, the purchase price of $60,000 will be equally shared by the Parks, Arts and Recreation and Public Works Departments.
Attachments:
1. Purchase and Sale Agreement
2. Location Map and Aerial Photo