Title
Acquisition of Real Property from Arizona State Land Department for Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve Located North 39th Avenue and West Hackamore Drive (Ordinance S-52053) - District 1
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to acquire real property and related property interests voluntarily from Arizona State Land Department (ASLD), at a purchase price determined by the City Manager, or his designee, to be reasonable under the circumstances and in the best interests of the City and upon such other terms as are established at ASLD's public auction for Mountain Preserve purposes to be designated as "Mountain Preserve" in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XXVI of the City Charter. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Further request the City Council to grant an exception pursuant to Phoenix City Code 42-20 to authorize inclusion of indemnification and assumption of liability provisions that otherwise would be prohibited by Phoenix City Code 42-18, as ASLD's form documents include such provisions.
Report
Summary
The purpose of the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve is to protect and preserve Phoenix's natural desert vegetation and mountain preserves. Acquisition of approximately 158.70 acres will add land to the existing Mountain Preserve. The acquisition will expand the City's system of outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, while preserving the natural desert habitat for wildlife in the area. The hillside property will provide connectivity between the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve and Deem Hills recreation trail system, located in northern Phoenix.
The parcel affected by acquisition and included in this request is identified by Maricopa County Assessor's Parcel Number 201-10-987 located at 25250 N. 35th Avenue.
The property is a single parcel totaling approximately 220.27 acres, of which approximately 61.57 acres is leased by the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD). The lease between ASLD and DVUSD will not affect the City's acquisition of the remaining approximately 158.70 acres of the parcel.
Financial Impact
Funding for this project is available in the Parks and Recreation Department's Capital Improvement Program budget utilizing Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI) funding.
Location
Located North 39th Avenue and West Hackamore Drive
Council District: 1
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Parks and Recreation and Finance departments.