Property owners discuss conservation easement for former Van Wagner farm; committee outlines appraisal, land-trust steps

Two Mendon landowners asked the cityopen-space advisory committee on Thursday to consider their property for a conservation easement while the committee outlined the formal steps — including an appraisal and coordination with a third-party land trust.

Cortland, who led the meeting, introduced the owners and summarized the item after reporting the previous nightcity councilapproved a separate preservation package. "We do have Tyson and Bob here. Can you just proceed with your presentation, and we'll get moving on this," Cortland said as he turned to the guests.

Bob Newberry, one of the property owners, identified himself to the group: "I'm Bob Newberry, one of the owners of the property that's listed for discussion today." Tyson Miller likewise introduced himself. The owners described the parcel (the old Van Wagner farm) and said they remain interested in conserving the land but are still working through some family issues.

Michael, a staff member working with the committee, described the next formal steps the group expects. "An appraisal is part of this moving forward," he said, adding that the city typically routes potential easements through a nonprofit land trust (the committee singled out Utah Open Lands and Summitlands Conservancy) that would hold the easement, help assemble funding and advise the city on specific requests of the owners.

Committee members flagged site constraints and community values that will shape any easement: the parcel borders a planned trail connection the town wants to complete, contains a ditch/culvert and areas with a high water table identified in a prior wetland study, and sits amid roughly 25 to 30 neighboring homes who would likely want notice and outreach.

A member suggested a possible compromise to improve owner return while preserving core acreage: "Put three or four lots on that south end and then do the conservation easement above that," the member said, framing it as a way to provide value back to the landowners while protecting the most significant open space.

Marissa (staff) and Michael told the owners the immediate next step is a short notice-of-interest form to record motivations and basic parcel details; the land trust partner would then work with the owners to refine the ask and bring a recommendation back to the committee and ultimately the city council. The committee agreed to help the family with visualization and timeline work and scheduled routine follow-up: "We'll see you on August 5, if not before," Cortland said.

The meeting recorded no final decision on the easement; committee members emphasized the process distinction between discussion, the land-trust review and any formal recommendation to council. The committee adopted its meeting minutes and adjourned at the end of the session.