The City of Savannah has been petitioned to accept two (2) properties located at New Hampstead Parkway and Little Neck Road. The properties are currently owned by Figure 8, LLC. The Real Estate Services Department requested feedback from Fire, Police, Public Works & Water Resources, Sanitation, Development Services, Planning and Urban Design, and Greenscapes.

The first property is 863.26 acres, as depicted in the accompanying exhibit.  This property is perpetually encumbered by a conservation easement which preserves the land in a relatively natural state and protects the property from being developed, with the exception of two reserved building envelopes along New Hampstead Parkway. Staff has met with certified foresters in order to (1) evaluate the condition of the property, (2) determine best practices for forest management, and (3) offer methods for implementing goals in order to mitigate risk, reduce future costs, and provide the public with a safer and healthier forested park. Representatives of the Georgia Forestry Commission provided advice according to their expertise and experience as certified foresters in the local area.

The second property is 47.7 acres. This property donation is pursuant to a Water and Sewer Agreement executed on March 1, 2005 between the City of Savannah and the International Paper Realty Corporation. This property is unencumbered, and will be available for active recreation uses in the future.

Acceptance of this property presents a unique and exciting opportunity for the City of Savannah to provide a long term solution to the health and wellbeing our citizens.  Real Estate Services intends to establish long-term objectives to improve the future park and provide a safe, enjoyable public benefit through passive recreation and education through partnerships with entities such as the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), as well as non-profit groups such as the Long Leaf Alliance and the Georgia Conservancy.

Staff recommends approval to accept the donation of the 863.26 acre conservation easement property located at New Hampstead Parkway and Little Neck Road (PINs: 2-1047-03-002, 2-1047 -03-002, 2-1047 -03-005, 2-1047 -03-006, 2-1047 -03-007), and 47.7 acre property on New Hampstead Parkway, subject to a Phase I environmental assessment.

Approval