MANSFIELD, Ohio — Proposed legislation that would grant a conservation easement on portions of John Todd Park to the North Central Ohio Land Conservancy Inc. and the Richland County Park District Board has caused concern among members of the public, including descendants of John Todd.
The conservation easement would prohibit timbering or major development in the ravine portion of the park, which is roughly 14 acres.
Eric Miller, president of the North Central Ohio Land Conservancy, explained why this easement should be approved at the previous council meeting. One of the purposes of the easement, he said, is to preserve the park’s scenic value.
Two of John Todd’s heirs, John Todd and Lynn Brinley, addressed their concerns to Mansfield City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday night.
They both discussed a possible outcome that could occur if the city-owned park became property of John Todd’s heirs–which could happen as a result of a deed violation.
If John Todd’s heirs became the property owners and the proposed conservation easement passed, “The heirs would have a very difficult time if they wanted to sell that property without control of the 14 acres of the land,” Todd said. “In fact, nobody would really want to buy that with a trust on it if they had no control over it.”
Brinley added, “We’ll be paying property taxes on land that we can’t sell or use or do what we want with. It could happen.”
“I think council should note that the family is against this wholeheartedly,” First Ward Councilman Mike Hill said.
Mansfield resident Michael Mount also addressed council, stating his concerns about the long-term effects of the easement.
“I think the organization bringing this forward seems to be very well-intentioned; however, we do need to keep into consideration this is a permanent deed restriction and city council has no opportunity to revise this in the future, so essentially it’s outside of the control of the city government in the future, he said.
“Should anything change with the leadership of this organization, or should the organization dissolve and it go to a different organization, these are things that are not under the control of the city and that’s something that does concern me because we do need to keep in mind future generations and the impact it will have on them.”
Jeff Wilkinson of Lexington said he has over 30 years worth of experience in the soil, water and forestry industry and that he doesn’t agree with the claims made at the previous council meeting that John Todd Park has some of the tallest trees in the area.
“As Mr. Todd said, if the city would take this land and put it in this trust and then it reverts back to the heirs, they won’t be able to do anything with it in terms of managing the property, so I think that does put an encumbrance on them (the heirs),” he said.
Assistant Law Director Chris Brown said council could see if those seeking the easement would be open to a 15- or 20-year deed restriction instead of a permanent one.
“It’s something that can be requested and we can look into, but I would begin by asking the land trust how they feel about it,” he said.
Second Ward Councilman Jeff Rock asked if the restriction against development could disappear if the park ever reverts to John Todd’s heirs.
Law Director John Spon said his office will have to research that, noting, “It might solve a problem for everybody.”
