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Conservation. Although land use amendments are subject to State approval, county staff has informally discussed this matter with state staff and has confirmed that local government Conservation designations are commonly approved for such properties purchased under the CARL program. With a Conservation land use designation, the Cairns property would have only limited development potential. Essentially, development would be restricted to conservation type uses. This land use change would then lessen the chance that the State would surplus the property or develop it for non -conservation purposes. County Lease The Governor and Cabinet's approval of the Cairns Tract purchase was done under the assumption that the County would obtain a 50 year management lease of the property, with the County having the option of renewing the lease for an additional 50 years, subject to State approval. In this respect, the County is in a position to directly control the property's use for the next 50 years to 100 years. Alternatives The County has essentially two alternatives concerning the Partial Assignment of Option Agreement: to approve the document as written,, or to not approve it. If the Agreement is approved, then the County may proceed to close on the property with a 50% cost contribution (+$5.3 million) from the State. If the County does not approve the Agreement, then the County must decide either to not buy the property, or pay 100% of acquisition costs (+$10.5 million). The Partial Assignment of Option Agreement does not provide an absolute guarantee that the Cairns Tract will forever remain in its intended conservation use. However, staff feel that the county lease arrangement - coupled with the described P2000 surplus restrictions and local land use controls - provide practical assurance that the Cairns Tract will stay in its intended conservation use. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize the Board Chairman to execute the Partial Assignment of Option Agreement, as written, subject to the County obtaining a lease acceptable to County staff, and authorize staff to continue with closing of the Cairns Tract in coordination with the State. (Note: staff is requesting that the Board approve two separate Partial Assignment of Option Agreements for the Cairns Tract: one for the portion of the project owned by Robert Cairns as trustee, and one for the portion owned by Robert Cairns as an individual.) MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED BY Commissioner Tippin, to approve staff's recommendation as set forth in the memorandum. 39 BOOK �� `9 August 27, 1996