Q: Are those prairie dog holes on the aerial view?
Response: Yes, there is a population of prairie dogs on the property.
Q: What is the advantage of a conservation easement between the cities?
Response: It ensures protection of this land. The CEs layer restrictions on the land and the cities, as partners, stay apprised of any decisions or changes. This is a joint partnership that ensures stewardship into the future.
Q: Based on the proximity to a business park, the NW Parkway, residential neighborhoods, and prairie dog colonies, this doesn't seem like a high priority to me.
Response: In 1999, growth was happening and the county didn't have confidence that surrounding cities would be able to have their own open space programs. The county worked with surrounding communities to create Intergovernmental Agreements [IGA] to create community buffers by protecting certain properties from development. This property was a priority for Louisville and the county shares open space tax money with the cities for their priorities.
Q: I think it would be valuable to have an executive session mid-year to consider those priorities again and see the properties that you've passed on.
Response: Yes, we can do that.
Q: I'm surprised there is a rush by the seller for this type of deal. Is there another offer being considered?
Response: We were able to negotiate a very good price on this property, with the seller requiring a 60-day closure. I can't speak to why they are on a short timeline.
Q: You are still waiting to know if the mineral interests have been severed. Could there be oil and gas drilling on this property if someone else owns the interests?
Response: Yes. We have made the decision that it is more important to protect the land as we can. Mineral owners would need to come to us as the landowners to have conversations and make an agreement, so we can mitigate the harm.
Public Comment:
Catherine Smith, Louisville. She is representing Louisville Open Space Advocates. They are very supportive of this acquisition.