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The
Cleveland Plain Dealer
www.cleveland.com
Conservancy’s work
not done on land deal
By
KAREN FARKAS
Tuesday,
January 30, 2001
SOLON
- Richard D. Cochran knew that preserving 71 acres off SOM
Center Rd. was going to be unlike any other project undertaken
by the Chagrin River Land Conservancy.
But
the executive director of the conservancy looked rueful
last week as he contemplated the issues that still must
be decided before the deal is closed.
"I’ve
never had to operate in a political system like this and
am not sure which way to go," he said.
He
was referring to dealing with Solon City Council, which
has promised $400,000 toward the purchase of the property
but is still battling over conservation easements, which
are deed restrictions that prevent development.
The
conservancy borrowed $2.3 million and provided $1 million
to purchase the property from Ed and Patricia Pavlish. Solon
gets 15 acres, and the Cleveland Metroparks, which contributed
$1 million, will get 35 acres to be added to the South Chagrin
Reservation. A small home on five acres and a larger home
and barn on 16 acres are for sale.
The
entire property, which includes a rare brook trout breeding
stream, was slated to be developed into a subdivision until
the conservancy signed a purchase agreement last August.
The money was secured by November, but purchase agreements
have not been signed with the Metroparks or the city.
Solon
Law Director David J. Matty wrote council on Jan. 12 that
"the purchase is currently stalled because CRLC has
not been willing to agree on all terms and conditions of
the conservation easement." Matty declined to comment
about the issues.
Cochran
said the conservancy would like to set up separate easements
for the properties. Since the two parcels with homes do
not have public access, the easements would be different
from the one for the property owned by the Metroparks and
the city, which will have public access and no buildings.
"We
are waiting to give them the money and hope it comes to
a conclusion," said Metroparks spokesperson Jane Christyson.
"It is probably a matter of hammering out the details."
Generally
the conservancy helps landowners set up conservation easements,
and while it has provided money for land purchases, no project
has been as complex as the one in Solon, Cochran said. Even
after the homes are sold and money is received from the
city and Metroparks, the conservancy will still have a $300,000
to $400,000 shortfall, he said.
Solon
was asked for more money, and officials said they might
comply if the city receives grants for land conservation
from a new state program.
The
city may become eligible for as much as $2 million, but
only $20 million in grants will be awarded statewide. "I
doubt very much we would get all $2 million approved since
we are competing with other political subdivisions,"
city Finance Director William Weber said yesterday.
The
conservancy hopes Solon companies step in to help if the
city doesn’t. The Swagelok Co. has contributed $10,000,
and Chief Executive Officer William R. Cosgrove has written
to other companies, asking them to contribute.
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