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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110720 Ver 2_Correction Easement Deed_20140902Strickland, Bev From: Kulz, Eric Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2014 9:14 AM To: Strickland, Bev Subject: FW: cedar grove Attachments: EBX Neuse - Cedar Grove - Correction Easement Deed.docx Sorry, meant to send this one with the attachment 11 -0720 From: Ashley Warner [mailto:shly.myrs amail.com] Sent: Friday, August 29, 2014 8:44 AM To: Pruitt, Carl E SAW; Kulz, Eric; Harrison Stewart Subject: cedar grove Slight revision on the warranties section. I think this makes it more legally correct in what Carl and I discussed yesterday. All, again, please shoot over your approval to make the change. Thank you, Ashley L Warner, Esq. PERRY, PERRY & PERRY ATTORNEYS P.O. Drawer 1475 Kinston, NC 28503 Phone: (252) 523 -5107 Fax: (252) 523 -8858 Web: www.kinstonattorney.com Confidentiality Notice: This E -mail transmission or subsequent attachments may contain confidential or legally privileged information that is intended only for the individual or entity named in the E -mail address. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the contents of this E -mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this E -mail transmission in error, please reply to me via E -mail so that arrangements for proper delivery can be made, and then please delete the message from your in -box. Thank you. PREPARED BY AND RETURN TO: Ashley L. Warner PO Drawer 1475 Kinston, NC 28503 -1475 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CORRECTION TO PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENT COUNTY OF ORANGE THIS CORRECTION TO PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENT ( "Conservation Easement ") made this day of August, 2014, by and between EBX -NEUSE I, LLC, being one and the same as EBX NEUSE I, LLC, a Maryland Limited Liability Company with its principal office located at 10055 Red Run Blvd., Suite 130, Owing Mills, MD 21117 -4860 ( "Grantor ") and NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE HABITAT FOUNDATION, INC. a Non -Profit North Carolina Corporation with its principal office located at 300 North Greens Street, Greensboro, NC 27429 ( "Grantee "). The designation Grantor and Grantee as used herein shall include said parties, their heirs, successors and assigns, and shall include singular, plural, masculine, feminine or neuter as required by context. RECITALS AND DECLARATIONS WHEREAS, Grantor owns in fee simple certain real property situated, lying, and being in Orange County, North Carolina and being more particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein (hereinafter referred to as the "Property"); WHEREAS, Grantee is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is the conservation of property, and is qualified to be the Grantee of a conservation easement pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121 -35; WHEREAS, Grantor previously conveyed a conservation easement to Grantee as evidenced by deed of record in Deed Book 5486, Page 027 of the Orange County Registry, North Carolina; WHEREAS, Grantee has requested certain corrections be made, said requests including that the name of said Grantor be corrected to reflect Grantor's legal name and that certain rights be perfected over the entire Property rather than just the Conservation Easement Property, as defined below, and Grantor has agreed to said requests; WHEREAS, Grantor and Grantee recognize the conservation, scenic, natural or aesthetic value of the property in its natural state, which includes the following natural communities: Wetland and riparian resources that contribute to the protection and improvement of water quality, flood prevention, fisheries, aquatic habitat, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. WHEREAS, the purpose of this Conservation Easement is to create, restore, and maintain riparian resources and other natural values on a portion of the Property consisting of approximately 60.14 acres and being more particularly described in Exhibit B (hereinafter referred to as the "Conservation Easement Property"), and prevent the use or development of the Conservation Easement Property for any purpose or in any manner that would be in conflict with the restoration and maintenance of the Conservation Easement Property in accordance with this Conservation Easement. WHEREAS, the restoration, enhancement, and preservation of the Conservation Easement Property is a condition of the approval of the inclusion of the Conservation Easement Property in the "Cedar Grove Mitigation Site, Orange County, NC, Bank Parcel Development Package" dated June 15, 2012 and prepared by EcoEngineering for Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC, ( "Cedar Grove Bank Site ") which was approved by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources — Division of Water Quality ( "DWQ ", now the Division of Water Resources, "DWR "), and this Conservation Easement may therefore be enforced by the State of North Carolina. WHEREAS, the preservation of the Conservation Easement Property is required by the Falls Lake Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument, made and entered into by and between Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC, acting as the Bank Sponsor, and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Division of Water Quality ( "DWQ" now the Division of Water Resources, "DWR "). The Cedar Grove Bank Site is intended to be used to compensate for unavoidable riparian buffer and nutrient impacts. WHEREAS, the preservation of the Conservation Easement Property is required by a Mitigation Banking Instrument for the Neu -Con Umbrella Mitigation Bank, Department of the Army Action ID 199910477, entitled "Cedar Grove Mitigation Site, Orange County, North Carolina, Prospectus" and dated July 25, 2012, and prepared by EcoEngineering for Environmental Banc and Exchange, LLC, Army Action ID# 2012 - 00294, ( "Cedar Grove Prospectus ") for the Cedar Grove Mitigation Site, Department of the Army Action ID # 2012 - 00294. The Mitigation Bank is to be used to compensate for unavoidable stream and wetland impacts authorized by permits issued by the Department of the Army and this Conservation Easement may therefore be enforced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ( "USACOE ") and any successor agency. The rights of USACOE are in addition to, and do not limit the rights of the parties to the Mitigation Banking Instrument. NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants and representations contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Grantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants and conveys unto Grantee, its heirs, successors and assigns, forever and in perpetuity a Conservation Easement of the nature and character and to the extent hereinafter set forth, over the Property, together with the right to create, preserve and protect the conservation values thereof, as follows: ARTICLE I. DURATION OF EASEMENT This Conservation Easement shall be perpetual. This Conservation Easement is an easement in gross, runs with the land, and is enforceable by Grantee against Grantor, Grantor's personal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns, lessees, agents and licensees. ARTICLE II. PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES Any activity on, or use of, the Conservation Easement Property inconsistent with the purpose of this Conservation Easement is prohibited. The Conservation Easement Property shall be restored, enhanced, and preserved to and in its natural condition and restricted from any development that would impair or interfere with the conservation values of the Conservation Easement Property. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following activities and uses are expressly prohibited, restricted or reserved as indicated hereunder: A. Disturbance of Natural Features. Any change disturbance, alteration or impairment of the natural features of the Conservation Easement Property or any introduction of non - native plants and animal species is prohibited. B. Construction. There shall be no constructing or placing of any building, mobile home, asphalt or concrete pavement, billboard or other advertising display, antenna, utility pole, tower, conduit, line, pier, landing, dock or any other temporary or permanent structure or facility on or above the Conservation Easement Property. C. Industrial, Commercial and Residential Use. Industrial, residential and commercial activities, including any right of passage for such purposes are prohibited on the Conservation Easement Property. D. Agricultural, Grazing and Horticultural Use. Agricultural, grazing, animal husbandry, and horticultural use of the Conservation Easement Property are prohibited. E. Vegetation. There shall be no removal, burning, destruction, harming, cutting or mowing of trees, shrubs, or other vegetation on the Conservation Easement Property. F. Roads and Trails. There shall be no construction of roads, trails or walkways on the Conservation Easement Property; nor enlargement or modification to existing roads, trails or walkways. G. Signage. No signs shall be permitted on or over the Conservation Easement Property, except the posting of no trespassing signs, signs identifying the conservation values of the Conservation Easement Property, signs giving directions or prescribing rules and regulations for the use of the Conservation Easement Property and signs identifying the Grantor as owner of the Conservation Easement Property. H. Dumping or Storage. Dumping or storage of soil, trash, ashes, garbage, waste, abandoned vehicles, appliances, machinery or hazardous substances, or toxic or hazardous waste, or any placement of underground or above ground storage tanks or other materials on the Conservation Easement Property is prohibited. L Excavation, Dredging or Mineral Use. There shall be no grading, filling, excavation, dredging, mining or drilling; no removal of topsoil, sand, gravel, rock, peat, minerals or other materials, and no change in the topography of the land in any manner on the Conservation Easement Property, except to restore natural topography or drainage patterns. Water Quality and Drainage Pattern. There shall be no diking, draining, dredging, channeling, filling, leveling, pumping, impounding or related activities, or altering or tampering with water control structures or devices, or disruption or alteration of the restored, enhanced, or created drainage patterns. In addition, diverting or causing or permitting the diversion of surface or underground water into, within or out of the Conservation Easement Property by any means, removal of wetlands, polluting or discharging into waters, springs, seeps, or wetlands, or use of pesticide or biocides is prohibited. K. Development Rights. No development rights that have been encumbered or extinguished by this Conservation Easement shall be transferred pursuant to a transferable development rights scheme or cluster development arrangement or otherwise. L. Vehicles. The operation of mechanized vehicles, including, but not limited to, motorcycles, dirt bikes, all- terrain vehicles, cars and trucks is prohibited on the Conservation Easement Property, other than for temporary or occasional access by the Grantee , its employees and agents, successors, assigns, DWR, and USACOE for purposes of conducting the creation, restoration, and maintenance activities within the Conservation Easement Property. M. Other Prohibitions. Any other use of, or activity on, the Conservation Easement Property which is or may become inconsistent with the purposes of this grant, the preservation of the Conservation Easement Property substantially in its natural, enhanced, or restored condition, or the protection of its environmental systems, is prohibited. N. Mitigation Bank Activity. Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC as Bank Sponsor, its successors and assigns, shall have: (i) the right to construct, monitor, and maintain a mitigation bank on the Conservation Easement Property; (ii) the right to change disturb or alter the natural features of the Conservation Easement Property during the construction and monitoring phase, to the extent it is required to compensate for unavoidable stream and wetland impacts or unavoidable riparian buffer and nutrient impacts in accordance with the Cedar Grove Bank Site and Cedar Grove Prospectus and (iii) the right to any and all mitigation credits derived from the Conservation Easement Property. ARTICLE III GRANTOR'S RESERVED RIGHTS The Grantor expressly reserves for itself, it personal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns, the right to continue the use of the Property for all purposes not inconsistent with this Conservation Easement, including, but not limited to, the right to quiet enjoyment of the Conservation Easement Property, the rights of ingress and egress, the right to hunt, fish, and hike on the Conservation Easement Property, the right to sell, transfer, gift or otherwise convey the Conservation Easement Property, in whole or in part, provided such sale, transfer or gift conveyance is subject to the terms of, and shall specifically reference, this Conservation Easement. ARTICLE IV GRANTEE'S RIGHTS A. Ingress, Egress, and Regress: The Grantee, its employees and agents, successors, assigns, DWR, and USACOE shall have a perpetual right of general ingress, egress and regress over the Property at reasonable times to undertake any activities to create, restore, manage, maintain, enhance, and monitor the wetland and riparian resources of the Conservation Easement Property in accordance with restoration activities or a long -term management plan. The rights granted hereunder do not include or establish for the public any access rights. B. Right to Inspect, Observe and Study: The Grantee or its authorized representatives, successors, assigns, DWR and USACOE shall have the right to enter the Conservation Easement Property over the Property at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting the Conservation Easement Property to determine if the Grantor, or his personal representatives, heirs, successors, or assigns, is complying with the terms, conditions, restrictions, and purposes of this Conservation Easement. The Grantee shall also have the right to enter and go upon the Conservation Easement Property over the Property for purposes of making scientific or educational observations and studies, and taking samples. The easement rights granted herein do not include public access rights. ARTICLE V ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES A. To accomplish the purposes of this Conservation Easement, Grantee is allowed to prevent any activity on or use of the Conservation Easement Property that is inconsistent with the purposes of this Conservation Easement and to require the restoration of such areas or features of the Conservation Easement Property that may be damaged by such activity or use. Upon any breach of the terms of this Conservation Easement by Grantor that comes to the attention of the Grantee, the Grantee shall notify the Grantor in writing of such breach. The Grantor shall have 30 days after receipt of such notice to correct the conditions constituting such breach. If the breach remains uncured after 30 days, the Grantee may enforce this Conservation Easement by appropriate legal proceedings including damages, injunctive and other relief. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee reserves the immediate right, without notice, to obtain a temporary restraining order, injunctive or other appropriate relief if the breach of the term of this Conservation Easement is or would irreversibly or otherwise materially impair the benefits to be derived from this Conservation Easement. The Grantor and Grantee acknowledge that under such circumstances damage to the Grantee would be irreparable and remedies at law will be inadequate. The rights and remedies of the Grantee provided hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other rights and remedies available to Grantee in connection with this Conservation Easement. The costs of a breach, correction or restoration, including the Grantee's expenses, court costs, and attorneys' fees, shall be paid by Grantor, provided Grantor is determined to be responsible for the breach. DWR and USACOE shall have all the same rights and privileges as the said Grantee to enforce said terms and agreements contained within this Conservation Easement. B. No failure on the part of the Grantee to enforce any covenant or provision hereof shall discharge or invalidate such covenant or any other covenant, condition, or provision hereof or affect the right to Grantee to enforce the same in the event of a subsequent breach or default. C. Nothing contained in this Conservation Easement shall be construed to entitle Grantee to bring any action against Grantor for any injury to or change in the Conservation Easement Property resulting from causes beyond the Grantor's control, including, without limitation, fire, flood, storm, war, acts of God or third parties, except Grantor's lessees or invitees; or from any prudent action taken in good faith by Grantor under emergency conditions to prevent, abate, or mitigate significant injury to life, damage to property, or harm to the Conservation Easement Property resulting from such causes. ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS A. Warranty. Grantor warrants, covenants, and represents that it owns the Property in fee simple, and that Grantor owns either all interests in the Property which may be impaired by the granting of this Conservation Easement or that there are no outstanding mortgages, tax liens, encumbrances, or other interests in the Property which have not been expressly subordinated to this Conservation Easement, however, the portion of the Property not including the Conservation Easement Property is subject to those Exceptions listed on Schedule B — Section II of Policy No. 201202184GV issued by Investors Title Insurance Company . Grantor further warrants that Grantee shall have the use of and enjoy all the benefits derived from and arising out of this Conservation Easement and that Grantor has the right to convey the permanent Conservation Easement and will warrant and defend title to the same against the claims of all persons, whomsoever, however, the portion of the Property not including the Conservation Easement Property is subject to those Exceptions listed on Schedule B — Section II of Policy No. 201202184GV issued by Investors Title Insurance Company. B. Subsequent Transfer: The Grantor agrees to incorporate the terms of this Conservation Easement in any deed or other legal instrument that transfers any interest in all or a portion of the Property. The Grantor agrees to provide written notice of such transfer at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the transfer. The Grantor and Grantee agree that the terms of this Conservation Easement shall survive any merger of the fee and easement interests in the Property or any portion thereof and shall not be amended, modified or terminated without the prior written consent and approval of DWR and USACOE. Grantor shall not subdivide any Property without prior, written approval from DWR and USACOE. C. Assignment. The parties recognize and agree that the benefits of this Conservation Easement are in gross and assignable provided, however, that the Grantee hereby covenants and agrees, that in the event it transfers or assigns this Conservation Easement, the organization receiving the interest will be a qualified holder under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121 -34 et seq. and § 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the Grantee further covenants and agrees that the terms of the transfer or assignment will be such that the transferee or assignee will be required to continue in perpetuity the conservation purposes described in this document. D. Entire Agreement and Severability.This instrument sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the Conservation Easement and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, understandings or agreements relating to the Conservation Easement. If any provision is found to be void or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect. E. Obligations of Ownership. Grantor is responsible for any real estate taxes, assessments, fees, or charges levied upon the Property. Grantor shall keep the Property free of any liens or other encumbrances for obligations incurred by Grantor. Grantee shall not be responsible for any costs or liability of any kind related to the ownership, operation, insurance, upkeep, or maintenance of the Property, except as expressly provided herein. Nothing herein shall relieve the Grantor of the obligation to comply with federal, state or local laws, regulations and permits that may apply to the exercise of the Reserved Rights. F. Extinguishment. In the event that changed conditions render impossible the continued use of the Conservation Easement Property for the conservation purposes, this Conservation Easement may only be extinguished, in whole or in part, by judicial proceeding. G. Eminent Domain: Whenever all or part of the Property is taken in the exercise of eminent domain so as to substantially abrogate the restrictions and rights imposed by this Conservation Easement, Grantor and Grantee shall join in appropriate actions at the time of such taking to recover the full value of the taking, and all incidental and direct damages due to the taking. H. Proceeds: This Conservation Easement constitutes a real property interest immediately vested in Grantee. In the event that all or a portion of the Property is sold, exchanged, or involuntarily converted following an extinguishment or the exercise of eminent domain, Grantee shall be entitled to the fair market value of this Conservation Easement. The parties stipulate that the fair market value of this Conservation Easement shall be determined by multiplying the fair market value of the Property that is unencumbered by this Conservation Easement (minus any increase in value after the date of this grant attributable to improvements) by the ratio of the value of this easement at the time of this grant to the value of the Property (without deduction for the value of this Conservation Easement) at the time of this grant. The values at the time of this grant shall be the values used, or which would have been used, to calculate a deduction for federal income tax purposes, pursuant to Section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (whether eligible or ineligible for such a deduction). Grantee shall use its share of the proceeds in a manner consistent with the purposes of this Conservation Easement. L Notification. Any notice, request for approval, or other communication required under this Conservation Easement shall be sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the following addresses (or such address as may be hereafter specified by notice pursuant to this paragraph) To Grantor: EBX -Neuse I, LLC 518 Plaza Blvd. Kinston, NC 28501 To Grantee: North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation 300 North Greene Street, Greensboro, NC 27429 To DWR: 401 and Buffer Permitting Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 -1617 To USACOE: USACOE 3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Failure of Grantee. If, at any time, Grantee is unable or fails to enforce this Conservation Easement, or if Grantee ceases to be a qualified grantee, and if within a reasonable period of time after the occurrence of one of these events Grantee fails to make an assignment pursuant to this Conservation Easement, then the Grantee's interest shall become vested in another qualified grantee in accordance with an appropriate proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction. K. Amendment. This Conservation Easement may be amended, but only in a writing signed by all parties hereto, and provided such amendment does not affect the qualification of this Conservation Easement or the status of the Grantee under any applicable laws, and is consistent with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. L. Present Condition of the Property. The wetlands, scenic, resource, environmental, and other natural characteristics of the Conservation Easement Property and its current use and state of improvement are as described in the Cedar Grove Prospectus and the Cedar Grove Bank Site, and said Cedar Grove Prospectus and Cedar Grove Bank Site are acknowledged by the Grantor and Grantee to be complete and accurate as of the date hereof. Both Grantor and Grantee have copies of both reports. Said reports will be used by the parties to assure that any future changes in the use of the Conservation Easement Property will be consistent with the terms of this Conservation Easement. However, this report is not intended to preclude the use of other evidence to establish the present condition of the Conservation Easement Property if there is a controversy over its use. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the aforesaid rights and easements perpetually unto Grantee for the aforesaid purposes. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the Grantor has caused this instrument to be signed in its name by Ely J. Perry, III, its duly authorized signer, by all authority given, the day and year first above written. EBX -NEUSE I, LLC, being one and the same as EBX NEUSE I, LLC :• (SEAL) Ely J. Perry, III, Authorized Signer (See attached "Exhibit C" for proof of authority) NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF I , a Notary Public for County, North Carolina, do hereby certify that ELY J. PERRY, III personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that he is an Authorized Signer on behalf of EBX -Neuse I, LLC, being one and the same as EBX Neuse I, LLC, a Maryland Limited Liability Company, and that by authority duly given and as an act of the company, he signed the forgoing instrument in its name and on its behalf as its act and deed. Witness my hand and official seal, this the day of , 2014. My Commission Expires: Notary Public Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank. (seal) Additional Signature and Acknowledgment Page and Exhibits to Follow. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE HABITAT FOUNDATION, INC. has caused this instrument to be executed in its name by WILLIAM HARRISON STEWART, JR., Treasurer of the corporation, in evidence of its consent and agreement to the instrument set forth above. NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE HABITAT FOUNDATION, INC. BY: (SEAL) William Harrison Stewart, Jr., Treasurer NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF I , a Notary Public for County, North Carolina, do hereby certify that WILLIAM HARRISON STEWART, JR., personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that he is the TREASURER of the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation, Inc., Grantee, a North Carolina non - profit corporation, and being authorized to do so, executed the foregoing on behalf of the corporation as its act and deed. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Notary Seal this the day of , 2014. (seal) Notary Public My commission expires: EXHIBIT A TO CORRECTION TO PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENT by and between EBX -NEUSE I, LLC, Grantor, and NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE HABITAT FOUNDATION, INC., Grantee, dated the day of , 2014. "Property" Being all that property depicted as Lot 1, being 117.706 acres, more or less, inclusive of R/W, and Lot 2, being 13.835 acres, more or less, inclusive of R/W, and being the same Lot 1 and Lot 2 designated as (1) and (2) on map entitled "MAP FOR RECORD SURVEY FOR EBX NEUSE I, LLC" by Matrix East, PLLC, surveyor Christopher K. Paderick, dated February 14, 2012 and revised March 05, 2012, and being of record Plat Book 110, Page 22 of the Orange County Registry, North Carolina and also being the same property conveyed by deed registered in Deed Book 5323, Page 198 of the Orange County Registry, North Carolina. Reference to said plat is hereby made for a more perfect and accurate description. EXHIBIT B TO CORRECTION TO PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENT by and between EBX -NEUSE I, LLC, Grantor, and NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE HABITAT FOUNDATION, INC., Grantee, dated the day of , 2014. "Conservation Easement Property" BEING all of those easement areas consisting of 60.14 acres, more or less, said areas include Area 91, consisting of 5.02 acres, more or less, Area 92, consisting of 10.35 acres, more or less, Area 93, consisting of 4.15 acres, more or less, Area 94, consisting of 10.06 acres, more or less, and Area 95, consisting of 30.56 acres, more or less, and being those same easement areas as shown on Conservation Easement Plat entitled "CEDAR GROVE MITIGATION SITE, CONSERVATION EASEMENT AND SUBDIVISION PLAT, ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA" by The John R. McAdams Company, Inc., dated October 09, 2012 and of record in Plat Book 110, Page 142 et Seq. of the Orange County Registry, North Carolina.