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The Chestnut Hill Historical Society (CHHS) is an accredited land trust of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. CHHS holds this distinction along with fewer than 200 out of 1,700 land trusts in the United States. CHHS is the first accredited land trust with a focus on urban properties and a growing number of land trusts combining protection of both historic and conservation resources.

If you would like to consider donating an easement on your property, please contact CHHS at easements@chhist.org or (215) 247-0417, Ext. 201. We will be happy to answer your questions, and if you would like to proceed, we will schedule an appointment to meet with you. Generally, the steps are as follows:

• Initial discussion at your home. The CHHS Easement Manager will view your property and discuss your objectives. She will also explain the easement program benefits and costs, and answer your questions. The CHHS Easement Manager may bring a conservation attorney to the meeting to discuss possible terms of an easement. You will be advised to discuss the easement implications with your tax advisor and attorney.
• Survey or Site Plan. If you decide to proceed after the initial meeting, you will be asked to obtain a survey or site plan to document the legal boundaries, topographical and other features of your property. (Some property owners already have site plans in their files; in this case, a new survey is not needed.) The survey will include a Lot Yield Plan, which establishes the maximum development potential and becomes the basis for the appraiser’s estimate of current value. A tree survey and plan may also be requested. The Easement Manager will provide you with information about how to obtain these surveys.
• Easement Committee Review. The Easement Manager prepares an initial Project Summary which is presented at the next meeting of the joint CHHS/Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) Easement Committee. The committee reviews the summary to make sure that the proposed project is consistent with the mission of CHHS and its Easement Acquisition Policy.
• Letter of Agreement. The CHHS Easement Manager will provide you with a proposal outlining the easement process, and estimated costs. To proceed, you will return the signed proposal to CHHS along with a $750 deposit to cover administrative costs.
• Title Investigation. Upon receipt of your signed proposal and deposit check, the Easement Manager will request a Title Investigation to ensure clear title of your property.
• Mortgage Subordination. If there is a mortgage on the property, you will be asked to contact your mortgage bank to have them provide a subordination of property mortgage.
• Easement Draft. The CHHS conservation attorney will draft an easement document for review by you and your attorney.
• Appraisal. Within 60 days of the anticipated closing on the easement, you will need to obtain an appraisal. The CHHS Easement Manager can provide you with a list of qualified appraisers.
• Baseline Documentation Report. The Easement Manager then prepares the Conservation Plan, Baseline Documentation and Final Easement Document.
• Final CHHS Board Review. The Easement Manager prepares a final Project Summary to present to the CHHS Board. The Board will review the terms of the easement and project details against the CHHS Easement Acquisition Policy criteria. At the next regular meeting of the CHHS Board, a vote on final approval of the project will be taken.
• Closing. Once the Board has granted final approval, a closing is scheduled. At the closing the easement documents are signed by you and the CHHS officer/Board president. You will also present a check for the CHHS Easement Stewardship Fund at the closing.
• Recording. The Easement Manager takes the easement document to City Hall for recording.
• IRS Tax Form. You will complete IRS Form 8283, Non-Cash Charitable Contributions, to be filed with your next tax return. This form is signed by your qualified appraiser, and then by the CHHS Executive Director.
• Monitoring. The CHHS Easement Manager will conduct an annual monitoring inspection to ensure compliance with the terms of the easement.