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<br />vv asnmgton County, MN - TPD - PDR Document <br /> <br />Page 8 of 12 <br /> <br />Offers to Purchase. <br />Upon County Board approval, offers to purchase conservation easements <br />will be tendered to the landowner. Based on negotiations with the <br />landowner and other factors, an offer may specify terms, contingencies <br />and conditions not contained in the original application, but only after <br />approval by the County Board. A period will be established within which <br />landowners may accept or reject offers to purchase. If an offer is rejected, <br />funds will be reallocated to the next available parcel on the waiting list. <br /> <br />Ciosing and Payment. <br />Settlement will occur following the landowner's acceptance of the <br />offer to purchase a conservation easement, and is contingent upon due <br />diligence, environmental audit, a title search, mortgagee's consent to the <br />conservation easement, and any other evidence that may be necessary to <br />clear title. Payment terms may be by iump sum, by installments, or by <br />other arrangements satisfactory to both parties. <br /> <br />Recording and Monitoring. <br />The County's acquisition of a conservation easement shall be recorded in <br />the County Recorder's Office. MonitorIng will be conducted as specified in <br />Section 9. <br /> <br />SECTION 7. VALUAnON AND PAYMENT METHODS <br /> <br />A. Valuation of Easement Cost <br />At the beginning of each Selection Round, Washington County will choose <br />a valuation method for determining the cost of purchasing development <br />rights easements. One method for establishing the value of the <br />development rights is through a parcel-specific appraisal. Under the <br />appraisal method, a certified appraiser Is chosen by the County to <br />establish the value of the development rights in a before/after appraisal <br />process. The appraiser first evaluates the fair market value of the <br />unrestricted property before development rights are sold, then the appraiser <br />establishes the restricted value of the property based upon the agricultural or <br />conservation activities that could occur on the property under the terms of the <br />conservation easement. The difference between the unrestricted value and <br />the restricted value Is the value of the development rights. The appraisal <br />method is hIghly justifiable since each parcel is examined in detail. The <br />method is, however, costly and time-consuming. <br /> <br />The County may choose to use an alternative method of establishing <br />value. For example, a set price per development right purchased could be <br />established. The set price could vary according to zoning classification. <br />The set price would be established based on a set of actual or sample <br />appraisals and/or on assessors' data. This method would be less costly <br />and take less time. <br /> <br />Landowner Appraisals. <br />Whatever method is used, landowners may obtain their own appraisal at <br />their own expense from a qualified appraiser for purposes of comparison <br />and negotiation, and/or for the purpose of calculating tax benefits. <br /> <br />http://www.co.washington.mn.us/your _county _government/administration/purchase _ oC dev".. 917/2004 <br />