timber ridge conservation easement deed.pdf
Mindaugas Zukauskas Petitioner V Township Of Evangeline Respondent · 26-000660-TT
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STE JOKBAN (#333 me0792 10122 P20 Gla oF CONSERVATION EASEMENT FEGRUIS BONEERPATION EASEMERT is made this ID day of Orme, 1991, by the TIMBER KIDGE COMPANY. a Michigan Co Partnership, with Richard E. Lobenhers acting ac the mensging partner, having an address at 203 Bridge Street, Charlevoix, Michigan, 49720 (*Grentor®), in favor of the LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY CONSERVATION TRUST, a Michigan nomprofit corporation, ing an address at 3264 Powell Road, Harbor Springs, Michigan, 49740 (*Graatee”). . VITNESSETH: WHEREAS, Grantor is the sole owner in fee sizple of certain real property located in Evangeline Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan, more particularly described in Exhibits *A-1° end "A-2% attached hereto and incorporated by this reference (the ‘Property"); and VHEREAS, the property possesses natural, scenic, open-space and gedentific values (collectively, ‘conservation values®) of great importance to Grantor, the people of Charlevoix Couaty and Evangeline Township, and the People of the State of Michigan; and WEEREAS, the Property is located in an ares with a resort-based economy Prosently experiencing rapid development, snd saintsining the scenic and natural beauty of the ares is an important plamning gosl of local governments and area residents; sad WHEREAS, the Property is clearly visible from Boyne City Road and Lake Charlevoix, therefore preservation of the Property's natural valves vould contzibuce to the scenic enjoyneat of the general publics and . WHEREAS, the Property is located in close proximity to Lake Charlevaix and is a relatively intact ecosystem vith wetland ares, defined by the Department of Natural Resources as *land characterized by the presence of water at a frequency end duration sufficient to support and tht under normal circumstances Coes support vatlend vegetation or aquatic life and is commonly referred to as a bog, swamp, or marsh" (N.C.L.A. Sec. 281.701, st. sea.) and, as such, contributes considerably to saintaining the vater quality af Lake Charlevoix aad provides important habitat for a variety of plants and animals; and VHEREAS, preservation of the Property's conservation values, including its wetlands areas, by conveysace of this Conservation Easement is in furtherance of, and will serve the public purposes of clearly delineated federal, state and Local conservation policy including, without limitation, the Federal 7 $89.7 the Goemsere-Anderson Wetland Protection Act of 1973, K.C.L.A. Sec, 281.701. gt seq.; the Inland Lakes and Streans Act, H.C.L.A. Sec. 261.951, er the Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act, M.C.L.A. Section 322.701, et seq; the Michigan Farsland end Open Space Preservation Act of 1974, K.G.L.A. Sec. 534.702, et seq. ond the Lake Charlevoix Management Plan of 1988; and WHEREAS, the specific conservation values of the Property are documented in an fnventory of relevant features of the Froparty, dated iy 18___, on ile at the office of Grantee and incorporated by Chis reference 1 ot er Pollution Control Act of 1972, 33 U.S.C. Sec. 40, 466, gr
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R333 ME0793
{{paseline Documentation’), which consists of reports, maps,
photographs, and
gther docusentation thet the partiss agree provide, collertivaly, an sceucace
Fopresentation of the Property at the time of this grant and which ts intended
Lo serve as an objective information baseline for monitoring complisnce with
the terms of thir grant;
and
WHEREAS, Grantor intends tha the conservation values of the Property be
preserved and maintained by the conticustion of fund use patterns, including,
without limitation, those existing at the time of this grant, that do mot
significantly impair oc interfere
with those values;
ang
WHEREAS, Grantor further intends, a3 ower of the Property;
to convey to
Grantee the right to prescrve and protect the cancervation valias of the
Property in perpotusty;
‘and
B
VHEREAS, Gcantes is
a publicly supported, nonprofit organization, exempt
fron federal taxation under Section S01(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (the "Code’) and
a ‘qualified conservation organization” under Section
170(h) of the Code, whose primary purpose
is the preservation, protection. or
enhancanent of land in its aatural, scenic, forasced, and/or open space
condition; and
VAEREAS, Grantes
agrees by accepting tis grant to preserve and protect
in perpetuity the conservation values of the Property for the benefit nf tnie
generation and the generations to com
NOH, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the above and the mutual covenants,
gesas, conditions, and restrictions concained herein, and pursuant co Section
170(1)
of the Cous and to the lavs of Michigan and in particular the
Conservation and Bistoric Preservation Zasement Act of 1980, N.C.L.A. Sec.
399.251,
et.
seq.,
Grantor hereby voluntarily grants and comveys to Grantee
a
conservation easement in perpetuity over the Property of the mature and
character and to the extent hereinafter set forth ('Ecasment’).
1.0.
PURPOSE.
I: is the purpose of this Easement to assure that the
Property will be retained forever in its predoninantly natural, scenic, and
forested condition and to prevent any uss of the Proparty that will
significantly impair
or interfere vith the conservation values of the
Property.
Grantor intends that this Easement vill confine the ase of the
Property to such activities,
including without Limitation, those involving
Grantor's
recreational pursuits as are consistent
vich the purpose of this
Easement.
2.0.
RIGHTS OF GRANTEE.
To accomplish the purpose of this Easement the
following rights are conveyed to Grantee by this Easement:
2.1:
Right to Preserve.
The right to preserve and protect the
conservation values of the Property.
2.2.
Right to Enter.
The right to enter upon the Property at
reasonable times iu ozder to monitor Grantor's cosplisnce vith and otherwise
enforce the tera of this Easement, and to conduct such seieatific
investigations of the Property as are consistent vith the analysis and
preservation of the nacural aspects of the Property; provided that sach entry
shall be upon prior reasonable notice to Grantor, and Grantee shall motPage 3
1BE333 AEO07 94 unreasonably ntecfore with Grantor's use and quiet enjoyment of the Property. The Grantee shell not have the right to entec won the Property, or to permit others to enter upon it, for any other purpose, expressly including public recreation. 2.3. Right to Require Rescoration. The right to prevent any activity ©0 OF use of the Property that is inconsistent with the purpose of this Easement and to require the restoration of such areas or features of the Property that may be daaaged by inconsis cemedies provided for herein. 2.4. Right to Ploce Signs. The Tight to place signs on the Property identifying the Foparty as being protected by this Easesent and identifying the Baseaent's boundaries; provided, however, the number and location of such signs shall be subject to Grantor's approval. nt activity of use, pursuant to the 3.0. PRORIBITED USES. Any activity on or use of the Property inconsistent vith the purpose of this Easement is prohibited. Fithout Liviting the generality of the foregoing, the following activities and uses ave oxpressly prohibited: 3.1. Cossercial Activities. Any commercial or industrial use of or activity on the Property is prohibited 3.2. Cutcing Trees. Cutting or removal of trees on the Property is prohibited unless sich trees are fallen, dead, diseased, or dangerous however, selective harvesting is permitted if according © plan, provided that the plan 1s approved in advance by Grantee in writing and such Plan results in a net improvement to wildlife hebitac. 3.3. Alterations of urface. Any altecation of the surface of the Land, includ hou Linltation, the excavation or removal of soll, loam, peat, send, gravel, sock, fuel and other minerzls is prohibited. 3.4. Dumping. The dumping or uccumulation of trash, garbage, vaste and other unsightly or offensive matericls on the Proparty in prohibited. 3.5. pltecarions of Vater Courses. fhe msnipulation or alteration of natural vater courses, lake shoces, vetlends or other water including activities conducted on the Property which vould be detrizental to water purity or waich could alter natural vater level and/or flow is prohibited. 3.6. Off-road Vehicles. The operation of off-road vehicles, including but not Limited to smovecbiles, duscbuggies and sotorcycles, is prohibited, except these used in daily activities by Graator, or by Grantor's personal representatives, successors or assigns, oc access roads or trails, provided that such activities do not cause excessive noise, erosion or vegetation damage, negatively impact vildlife, or ispair the conservation values protected by this Easement. 3.7. Signs and Billboards. The placement of any signs or billbosrds on the Property is prohibited; however, signs not exceeding six (5) square feet ere pareicted Lf their placement, number, size, snd design do not significantly diminish the scenic character of the Property. Such aigns may be displayed to state the came and address of the Property and the names of H
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333 mE0795 pecsons Living on the Property, to identify areas of the Property as being protected by this Easement, to advertize the Property for sale or rent, and to post the Propercy to control unauthorized entry or use. 3.0 Construction. The placement or constriction of any buildings, structures, or other improveents of any kind other than the following permitted uses described in Paragraph "4" below. 4.0. BESPRVED RIGHTS. Grantor reserve to itself, and to its personal representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns, all rights accruing Eroz its ownership of the Property, including the right fo engage in or permit or invite others to engage in all uses of the Property that are not prohibited and are not inconsistent vith the purpose of this Easement. Vithout limiting the generality of the foregoing, the folloving rights are expressly reserved and shall be deeved not inconsistent with the purposes of this Easecent: 1. Right to Convey. fhe right to sell, give or otherwise convey the Property, provided such conveyance is subject to the teas of this easement. 4.2. Richt to Build Foor Trails. The right to establish and maintain hiking tcails upon prior approval by Grantee. 4.6. Right to Maintain View. The Hight to thin and prune trees to maintain a filtered view of Lake Charlevoix fron the permitted rasidences and tha right to promote grobch of natural vegetation based on reasonable forestry practices. Any thinning or pruning of tres vithin the viewsied eres shall be permiteod only under the following condition 4.6K. AL] vork aust done at Grantor's expense and be professional forester approved by Grantes. 4.6.5. The basal area of the existing trees vithin the vievshed srea shall noc be raduced below seventy (10) square feet per acre unless Gruates egress in writing. 4.5.C. Only those troeo under 4" DAH (diaseter at breast height) cay be pruned utilizing the *topping’ method of pruning. 4.6.0, Any tree which 35 to be pruned using & ‘lizbing' mathod of pruning oust have a crow cemaining intact cosprising at lemst tweaty (20%) percent of the tree's total heighe. .6.E. No treo over 4* DBE is to be pruned by rezoving sore than sixty (802) paccent of its crunk-sriginacing branches over 1 1/2" in diameter sensured at the point of origin om the tok. 5.7. Tvo weeks prior to the commencesedt of any cutting vithin' the viewshed ares. notice of the ntti co tut or trim suet bn mailed to the Grantee by certified mail, return receipt requested. pervised by a 4.7. Bildlife Habitat Teprovements. The right to make vildlife habitat isprovenencs. 5.0. HOTICE OF INTENTION TO UNDERTAKE CERTAIN PENITTED ACTIONS. The pucpose of requiring Grantors to notify Grantee prior to undertaking certain permitted activities, is to afford Grantee an opportunity to ensure that the activities in question are designed and carried out in a manner consistent with the purpose of this Easement. Whenever notice is required, Grautors shall notify Grantee in writing not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date Grantors intend to undertake the activity in question. The notice shall describe the nature, scope, design, location, timetable, and any othe:
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- Leh 333 per07 96 material aspect of the proposed activity in sufficient detail to permit Grantee to make an inforaed judgement as to its consistency vith the purpose Of this Easement. 5.1. Grantee's Agproval. Where Grantee's approval is required, Grantee shall grant or withhold its approval in writing vithin thirty (10) days of receipt of Grantors’ written request therefor. Grantee's failure to respond within thirty (30) days shall be deemed epproval by Grantee. Grantee's approval may be vittheld only upon a reasonsble determination by Grantee that the action as proposed would be incompatible vith the purpose of 6.1. Grantee's Discretion. Enforcement of the terms of this Easement shall be at the discrecion of the Grantee, and any forbearance or deley by Grantee to exercise its rights under this iver of any subsequent breach of the ters violated by Grantor; or (3) a vaives of However, this Subparagraph '6.1% shall mot. he construed to authorize Grantee ta neglect to enforce the Easesent.s Provisions once Grantee has knovledge of an Easement violation, 8-2. Acts Beyond Grantor's Cancrol. Nothing concained in this Easement shall be constzued to entitle Grantee to bring eny action against Grantor for any injury to of change in the Property resulting from causes beyond Grantop:s control, including, without limitation, fire, flood, stors, earth sovament, op ony action by a trespasser, or from any prudent action taken by Grantor under gmergency canditions to prevent. abate, or mitigate significant injury to the Property resulting from such causes. 6.3. Motice and Demand. If Grantee determines thar Grantor is in violation of the terms of this Easezent or that a violarion is threatened, Grantee shall give written notice to Grantor of such violation and demand cocrective action sufficient to cure the violation. If, however, Grantee, in its sole discretion, deteraines that circumstances require lmaedists ceion to prevent ox to mitigate significant dasage to the conservation values of the Property, Grantee my pursue ite remediss under this Paragraph "6° without prior notice to Grantor or without vaiting for the poriod provided for cure to expire. Qepoctunity to Cure, Grantee may bring en action at lav or dn [XS equity in a court of Cospecen: jurizdiction to eforce the terms of this Easement if: (1) Grantor fails to cure the violation vichin thirty (30) days after receipt of Grantee's notice: (2) Grantor falls to begin curing such violation vithia the 30-day period (vhere the violation cannot ressonably be cured completely vithin the 30-day period); or (3) Grantor falls to continue diligently to cure the violation until the violation is cured to Grantee's satisfaction. 6:5. Injunctive Rellef. Grantee may bring sn action in equity to
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BR333 0797 gnjoin the violation or to require restoration of the property, ex parte as Decessary, by tesporary or permanent injunction. Grantee shall be entitled to the injunctive relief described in this Paragraph vithout the necessity of Proving either actual damages or che inadequicy of otherwise availeble legal resadies. 6:6. Action at lav. Grantes ouy bring aa action at lav to recover any © violation of the terms of this values protected by this Easement, including camages for the loss of scenic, aesthetic, or environsental values. 0.7. Sests of Enforcement. Any costs incurred by Grantee in enforcing che terms of this Easement against Grantor, including, without 1initerion. costs of suit and sccual attommeys' fees, and any costs or restoration necessitated by Grantor's violation of the terns of this Zaseaent shall be bome by Grantor. 7,0. ACCESS. Mo right of access by the general public to any portion of the Propercy is comveyed by this Easement. 8.0. OVNERSHIP COSTS AND LIABILITIES. Grantor or its assigns retain omership vith full rights ta control and mantge the Property and shall beer 811 costs and Lisbilities related to property ownership, operation. and ine, + including saincaining ad hensive goceral liability insurance, nasing Grantee as an additional insured. This pacagcaph is intended to ensuze that none of the Linbilities attendant on land ownership are inadvertently transferred to Grantee under this Conservation Easement bs Grantee will have no cesponsibilities and vill ise no direct control over any potential hazards oa the Property. Grantor's liabilities under this paragraph transfer to a nev owner upon transfer of Grantor's interest in the Property, except that Lisbility for acts or omissions occurring prior to transfer shall survive transfer. 8.1. 1 Grantor shall pay before delinquency all taxes levied on or assessed against the Property by competent authority. If the Grantor becoces delinquent in payment of said taxes such that a lien against the land 4s created, the Grantee, at its option, shall have the right to discharge said Len, or to take other actions as may be necessary to protect the Grantee incerese in che Property and to sssure the continued enforceability of this Conservation Easement. : 9.0. ASSIGNMENT. Grantee may assign its rights and obligations under this Basement only to an organization that, at the time of the Assigument, is # "qualified conservation organization under Section 170(h) of the Code of 1986, as amended. Grentee shall require, as a condition of assignment, that the purpose of this easement contiaes to be carcied out. 10.0. EXECUTORY LIMITATION. If Grantee shall cease to exist or to be a "qualified conservation organization® under Section 170(h) of the Code, as acended, or is determined to be unauthorized to acquire and hold conservation easeaents by a court of competent jurisdiction, and a prior assignment is mgt ade 85 provided for herein, then Grantee's rights and obligations ander this Easenent shall becose immediately vested in the following mused entities, to the exten they evince an intent to accept. the sams, in the following orders (8) Hayes Township, (b) Charlevoix County, (c) any other entity having similar
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UWE 333 MECTI8 conservation purposes to which such rights may be avarded by a court of competent jurisdiction wader the doctrine of cy pres. provided that at the tive of such vesting ar avard such entity is one described In Section 170() (3) of the Code and is qualified to accept and hold conservation asementa under applicable lavs of the State of Michigan. 11.0. TERMINATION. ~The restrictions Lwposed Dy this Easement may be extinguished only by sn unexpected change in conditions of by exercise of eminent dousin. 11.1. - Unexpected Change in Condizions. If ‘a subsequent, unexpected change in the conditions of or surrounding the Property wake the continued of the Property for the conservation purposes of this Fasement iaposaible, the restrictions herohy imposed by this Ensesent may bo extinguished oaly by Judicial proceedings in a court of cospetent jurisqiciion. If the Easement is ‘extinguished, in vhole or in pert, Grantee shall be entitled to compensation in accordance vith spplicable la and in peoportica to Graatee's interest in the Property. : 11.2. Condesnation. If the Easezent is taken, in shole ov in part, by exercise of the pover of, sainent domain, Grantee shall be entitled to compensation in accoréance vith applicable lav and in proportion to Grantee's interest in the Property. B 12.0. NOTICES. Any notice, demand, request, cousent, spproval, ar comunication that either party desires or is required to give to the other shall be in writing and either served personally or seat by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the party ac the adiress set forth in the initial Paragraph of this Eacezent or to such other address as either party from time to tise shall designate by written notice to the other. 13.0. RECORDATION. Grantee shall record this instrument in a timely £ashion in the official records of Charlevoix County, Michigan and my re- record this Easeaent or record an affidavit by Grantee relating to the existence of this Easement vhich stall be conclusively presumed by the Parties and their successors and assigns to give constructive notice of the existence of this Easement. Ay general rule of construction to the Easement shell be liberally construed in favor Conservation and Kistoric Preservation Easement A 1a this instrument is found to be asbiguoss, an interpretation consistent with the purpose of this Easement that would render the provision valid shail be favored over any interpretation that woul render it iavelid. 15.0. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Easeaeat, or the application thereof to any person or circusstacce, ic found to be invalid, the febainder of the provisions of this Zaseaent, or the application of such provision to persons or circusctances other than those as to hich it is found To be invalid, as the case may be, shall not be affected thereby. nd restrictions of the 16.0. SUCCESSORS. The covenants, terms, conditions, this Easesent. sl binding upon, and acre to the ben:
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Geantors and Gra Successors, snd 7, except that lishiliry er shall survive transfer, TO HAVE AXD 10 HOLD unto Gruntee, Prior to transt, tes suc 5075, and assigns forever. io
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} L ISR 333 M0800 IH WIINESS HEREOF Grantor and Grantee have sat their hand on the day and year first shove written. Witnessed by: (sign & priat name) Print Kase: i Print Waser ufa fecton COUNTY OF Chatlevoix ) es. STATE OF MICHIGAN ) Subsceibed and sworn to hefora we this 1ath day of _ October |, 19.91 By JOHN E. FOUGHT, who acknowledged that he is the ChAlr of the LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY, a Michigan nonprofit corporation, and that the execution of this Conservation Zasement is with the authority of the Board of Directors Of said corporation. Notary PESIic Pauls Merrifh Ager My comeission expires: May 8, 1965 County oF __ Charlevoix ) ns. STATE oF Michigan ) Subscribed and svom to before se this 18th dey of October 19 91, by RICEARD E. L . who acknowledged thet he 15 the anaging Pactner of the TIMBER RIDGE COMPANY, a ¥ichipen corporation, and that the execution of this Conservation Easement is vith the authority of the partners "of said corporation, fiatary PusTic Paula Merrigt Ros My commission expires:May 8, 1995 Insecusent prepared by und after recording cecurn cor STL rae Conservancy, 3264 Povell Road, larbor Speiags, Kichigan 49740. 347-0851.
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EO (BR 333 PEE0B OI SINSATION EAST (North Furcel of, Fypusiine, Char inal County ichipun, Commencing hie AUG Sout heat fon 22, "Toln 33 North ge 6 Weal; Thence North 0° 10129 bot 11 10 Section, “action to mb 172 ni bine’ on Lun Sant" aulu The sr vonumgued; Uicnce Nor(h 86113700 awe 530,95 Toot to ER Tr treba ris of Lis description hence cont Inning North Bi 2 reel alone suid” olgnn 172 Tine"ol 3141" aut 83.51 Leal along anid quarter 1ine 2 SE vl ul the Horthwat corner of the Senihesss Sears or oF Lhe Solthunst quncter oF Lio Sauihast gnarler of sald pos Sorte tg eek 801-07 vel 1% 178" Fad ME har tent 4 or + dence Narth “slomt the contri ive of i ivate lowing conrnos 1 Foet hari 15 Ta Ta) o 71:36 feel, Horlh 8512404" Nest 63.95 Teel, Notch TILL Teel arth saegh 0 Vent Goan font) horih J8B.64 Foci, North 31907700" us 433.44" feet) worth Nest 20051 Tact nnd South 63753417 Was 30.41 Feely (hance paving maid cinieriine NotUh 21°15 16° nut 27.65 face a’ Le borin oy Dosluning, Leins a part of the South inl [of ihe Sonime Section 22, Town 33 Worill, fun Suber Lote Eights ar the bt ic and of soy dovermmnntal nit in say part thereof inion, used or weeded for Kiroees Fad or higheay Durposes. © Quarter of IER WUE COIUKTION EASEMENT (South Farce): in Cle Toruxiviis of Eemmel ine, Charivsals RET Tuli pie ar ha Sowthieet comer 6s bate, ge Meat Unnco North 0°10 28° Fast 597.6 oF rivets rouduay a ina oi, South Tio 200 ane fect Souines 18° hawt 92750 9-06 Teer, Sauls 6101 feat, smth 10 zr ©, Soul] Li SEO Te aay Soul T0082 East 4518 58101160" Bust 70.35 fact. 1308 Bart 20207 Gel, South, 5UOIT Kant 37.45 Teal; thence 20° Eat 101 6 Feet soa ect OL he Senet 1/4 or Lie sebeast 177 Southwest 1/1 of anid soction: Unence South 86/01" 15 we 592.61 Teck along Lha South Tine of sald section tog 3/4 inch bine on he teste Faltit'du of ma sect » U0 BGY2"00" Wout 1183.23 fact to ihe goin of of Lhe Soullmoat Quarter of EX: Iie Public and of any overmmental unit in any part Threat Laken, uaa or deeded for strom] Song iacptel un bargoses. 5 mCuATION, ASE: © Township of Evangelina, Charlevoix County, Michigan, Beginning TL i terre county, 22, To Range 6 Vest} Uh 11e of wai wectlon: Lenco North 86°28'43" Fast 106.47 aut; ‘Shevce ath ine of suid section e su "4" Weut 100.00 feat along said section Jina to the Fe A a HE te Sartleut BA er oF Suet thn 52, Toon 39 Fveuhs eons Brat” Exhibit A-1
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CERTIFIED BOUNDARY SUR! 5 ok seine Gun r— ors July 2, ww prey PART OF 172 0F Sw ua, 3 SREVRILEY NFER Btn H in $b EAE) £ Ha y , 5 HH gt a § sslly i i ; eppik i bis H § §1 bend . ; | pili freissk 150 Pla ly : HE il 2 Zz y F i F HE] i Ad ¥ ele by, 1 hws Cary an gcd ve: proyer ti th rat lo MEERLAI IN ASSOCIATES, INC nd Uh copuitamans of 1-7, 15