City council commits $1 million toward Heart of Midway conservation easement, staff to draft easement language

Staff described a proposed conservation easement on a 17.5‑acre block near Centre Street called the “Heart of Midway,” an assemblage of four property owners that contains agricultural buildings, geothermal springs known locally as The Mound, and a locally iconic barn. Staff said the city council previously earmarked $250,000 and later approved an additional $750,000, for a total city contribution of $1,000,000 toward purchasing development rights while the property owners retain ownership.

Michael (staff) told commissioners the plan is to draft conservation easement language so the money transaction can proceed and the property’s development rights can be protected “in perpetuity.” He said the project is notable because it involves multiple owners collaborating on an open‑space preservation inside three blocks of Main Street and that one new home would be permitted on one of the properties, which lowers the overall ask.

Commissioners asked whether specific historic houses (for example, the Scheeler home and the Kohler property) were included in the easement boundaries; staff said maps appear to show some parcels excluded and promised to confirm exact boundaries and access easements. Staff noted a recorded rural preservation subdivision on one parcel that will remain limited to a single home and that historic access easements will be preserved.

Next step: staff will draft the conservation easement language and confirm parcel boundaries and access easements before proceeding with the funded purchase of development rights.