HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2025-147 Approve Sage Preserve PurchaseMEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
December30, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 - 147: Authorization to purchase approximately 137 acres on South Hill (Sage Preserve)
Whereas, the owners of approximately 137 acres (Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.’s 44.-2-10, 45.-1-2.2 and a portion of 45.-1-1.2) of undeveloped lands on South Hill have offered to sell
the properties to the Town of Ithaca for a new preserve, and
Whereas, on May 8, 2023 the Town Board authorized an appraisal be completed for the properties, and
Whereas, an appraisal was completed in May 2023 with a purchase value determined to be $655,000, with the total cost to acquire the properties being approximately $676,650, and
Whereas, the landowners have offered to donate a portion of the value ($168,000) of the acquisition, reducing the overall cost of the acquisition to the Town to $508,650, and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca has received a $50,000 grant from the Park Foundation and a $200,000 grant from Tompkins County (Natural Infrastructure Capital Program) toward this acquisition
project, leaving approximately $258,650 as the Town share, and
Whereas, a Real Property Purchase Agreement and Sales Contract was signed in September 2025, and
Whereas, this is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Town Board is acting in an uncoordinated environmental review with respect to this action and made a negative determination
of environmental significance on July 24, 2023, and
Whereas, the Town Board held a duly noticed public hearing on December 30, 2025 to consider comments from the public regarding the proposed acquisition of approximately 137 acres for
a new preserve; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorizes the acquisition of approximately 137 acres on South Hill(Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.’s 44.-2-10, 45.-1-2.2 and
a portion of 45.-1-1.2) from Tessa Sage Flores and Ird Goldstein; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca authorizes the payment to Tessa Sage Flores and Ira Goldstein of $508,650 (includes $50,000 from Park Foundation, $200,000 from Tompkins
County, and $258,650 from the Town of Ithaca) for such property upon closing the transfer, receipt of the executed deed, and approval of the attorney for the Town of the title to such
property; and be it further
Resolved, that payment of said funds are to be made from the Town’s Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan Account; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town pay the incidental costs (recording fees and other similar expenses) as incurred in order to complete such closing; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the Town; and be it further
Resolved, that pursuant to General Municipal Law Section 6 (c), this resolution is subject to a permissive referendum in accordance with Article 7 of the Town Law (payment of funds are
to be made from the Town’s Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan Account, which is a reserve fund), and the Town Clerk will publish and post a notice of adoption of this resolution, stating
it is subject to a permissive referendum.
Moved:Rich DePaoloSeconded: Rod Howe
Vote: ayes – DePaolo, Howe, Gutenberger, Bleiwas and Johnson