ARIZONA DAILY STAR: Sun., Dec. 17, 2006
Pygmy owl land up to $100K acre
By Erica Meltzer
The price of conservation on the Northwest Side approaches $100,000 an acre. For some environmentalists, it's a price worth paying to secure a few safe harbors for the threatened pygmy owl.
In a series of narrow votes, the county's Conservation Acquisition Commission has recommended the county purchase four small parcels near Arthur Pack Regional Park for prices ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 an acre. But County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry opposes the move. He says the county can get far more bang for the taxpayers' buck by waiting for state trust land to come up at auction.
Huckelberry said the high price of land means it makes more sense to allow low-density development. All the properties in question are zoned for one house every three acres.