More rural land is about to come under protection of Ann Arbor's Greenbelt. The city is applying for federal funding to purchase the development rights to properties in Webster, Lodi and Northfield townships.

The five properties include 527 acres and will cost about $5 million. They include 64 acres in the Webster United Church of Christ, 101 acres the Stephen, Frederick and Christopher Girbach property in Lodi Township, 97 acres in the Honke Family LLC parcel in Northfield Township and 265 acres of the William C. and Cherie L. Nixon land in Webster Township.

The deal plans to leverage millions in federal land preservation funds. The rest will come from a combination of greenbelt and other local funds.

The Greenbelt Program provides funding to preserve and protect open space, natural habitats and farms in the Ann Arbor area by purchasing development rights. The city acquires these rights from willing sellers who apply to participate in the program. Ann Arbor voters approved a 0.5-mill millage over 30 years to establish the Greenbelt Program in 2003. So far the Greenbelt protects 1,073 acres around Ann Arbor.

Source: Ginny Trocchio, spokeswoman for the Ann Arbor Greenbelt
Writer: Jon Zemke