On Tuesday, Prescott City Council approved an expenditure in the amount of $7,144,400 (+ closing costs and survey) authorizing the purchase of 301.57 acres for the purpose of natural open space in the Granite Dells. This strategic acquisition of property meets the criteria as set forth in the 2009 Council-adopted Open Space Master Plan.
This purchase follows a letter of intent approved by Council on November 9, 2021, and will complete the plan at $9,893 less per acre than what the City of Prescott has paid in past purchases. In, all, the acquisition will total about $8.5 Million.
The deal entails the grant of a non-transferrable life estate on the property in order for the current owners to continue to live on the property until their passing. There is also a mutually agreed upon trail plan already in place and the City of Prescott will allow Sundog Ranch to continue cattle grazing operations on the purchased property.
The City staff, upon final purchase, will begin working with Sundog Ranch to ensure appropriate language and location for educational signage memorializing the Storm family ranching history.
Since 1926, the Seaver family has actively ranched the land. In 2003, the City of Prescott purchased 33.28 acres to protect the shoreline of Watson Lake. In 2018, the City of Prescott acquired 160 acres of the ranch and subsequently constructed the very popular Storm Ranch Trail System.
“Acquiring this last segment of the Storm Ranch is a monumental accomplishment, which demonstrates the City’s ongoing commitment to open space preservation,” said Mayor Phil Goode. “This will be a true legacy in the long run. Thank you to Joe Baynes, the Storm Family, and everyone involved.”
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