Beaufort County saves 45 acres from development
Beaufort County saves 45 acres from development
A 45-acre wooded parcel across S.C.170 from the proposed Sembler Mall in Okatie has been saved from potential development by Beaufort County Council through the Beaufort County Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program.
The property was vulnerable as a choice location for commercial and residential development, according to a county press release. But, following County Council’s decision Monday, it will remain forever rural and agricultural and help protect the Okatie River which lies along its border. Council voted to purchase a $2.5 million conservation easement on the land, which is valued at $6 million or at $10 million for a fee simple purchase.
The reduced purchase price was negotiated by the County’s land purchasing partner, the non-profit Beaufort County Open Land Trust.
Since it began in 1998, the County’s land preservation program has protected more than 17,600 undeveloped acres through an investment of nearly $80 million in 66 transactions with a total fair market value of approximately $142 million.
Related posts:
- Three properties purchased for protection by county land preservation program
- County council rezones Coosaw and Judge Islands
- Controversial demolition proposal to amend Beaufort’s development ordinance heads to City Council
- Council considers county & school budgets Monday
- 2010 calendar, Faces of Beaufort County, available now
