At the end of December, 2017, we recorded our 7th property of the year. This property is very special, as it is a conservation easement from a long-time member of Placer Land Trust. The Meyer family made a charitable conservation contribution to protect their 21-acre property in Auburn off Mt. Vernon Road.
“I drove by this property for years, loving the typical foothills view of the hills. We finally pulled the trigger on it about four years ago, knowing we wanted more space around us than the three acres we had at the time,” said Dennis Meyer, who along with wife, Nancy, own the property north of Auburn. “Nancy and I talked to our daughters about it, and they loved the idea of keeping this property rural forever.”
This property, with its rolling hills and pond, will now be protected forever by an agricultural conservation easement that extinguishes three or more building lots (with one reserved for the landowners). The easement, held by PLT, ensures the landowner can live on the land and manage it as productive open space.
“We love what’s happening in Placer County with all the new farms, and young people taking on farming as a profession,” said Meyer. “We would love to have someone who maybe doesn’t have good frontage to run a farmstand here someday.”
“The Meyer Preserve project highlights the impact landowners can have on the future of our community when their generosity and foresight are combined with PLT’s technical expertise,” said Jeff Darlington, PLT Executive Director. “Not every project has the same value to the community. In this case we’re not seeking habitat protection or recreation, but rather we’re permanently protecting scenery and the ability to farm and ranch on the land–forever.”
Agricultural uses, including livestock grazing, vineyards, a roadside farm stand and tasting room could be allowed on the private Mt. Vernon Road property.
“We’re excited to highlight this transaction to motivate others to consider the same path for their land,” said Darlington. “We thank the Meyers as well as our partner Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust for their generosity in making this project happen.”
Don’t forget to watch the video interview with Jeff Darlington and Dennis & Nancy Meyer below.
