The City of Ann Arbor and Scio Township are working together to purchase the development rights to a 180-acre Wing Farm in Scio Township to add to the city’s Greenbelt.
The Greenbelt is designed to stop urban sprawl buy preserving nearby farmland, woods and natural areas. The City Council authorized up to $1 million in matching funds from the city’s Greenbelt program to help purchase development rights to the Kelly and Stacey Wing Farm.
The farm is a highly visible property, bordered by Dexter – Ann Arbor, Miller and Zeeb roads. It has served as pick-your-own-pumpkin farm over the years, among other uses. By purchasing the development rights, the landowners retain the right to use their property for agriculture but can not development it into a subdivision or commercial center.
This farm is not located within one of the Greenbelt’s designated target areas, but it does provide an opportunity to collaborate with Scio Township, a priority in the Greenbelt’s strategic plan.
Scio Township received a $462,000 grant, about half of the funds requested, from the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program for the property earlier this year. The township is applying for more funding from the state Department of Agriculture’s Purchase of Development Rights Program.
The city’s Greenbelt Advisory Commission recommended authorizing the matching funds.
Source: City of Ann Arbor.
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