The Chapel Hill Town Council could take a step toward resolving one of the most controversial local issues of the last 12 months on Monday night.

The council will consider authorizing town manager Roger Stancil to execute a contract to purchase the approximately 35-acre American Legion site for $7.9 million.

The property made headlines in early 2016 as it was revealed that the previous version of the Town Council passed on purchasing the property, one of the last remaining large acreages of undeveloped land in Chapel Hill, for $9 million. The town had the chance to purchase the property through its right of first refusal after the American Legion received an offer from a developer to purchase the land on Legion Road.

The developer proposed putting a mix of residential, commercial and civic space on the property while leaving a portion of the land untouched for environmental purposes. The plan and the decision by the previous iteration of the council to pass on purchasing the property drew criticism from some residents who want to see the land utilized as a park.

The proposed purchase price of $7.9 million would be distributed over three payments, according to town documents, with the initial payment of $3.6 million being made from the town’s fund balance. That payment would be made upon closing, which is set for early 2017.

The town would then commence the master planning process for the area in 2017, according to a draft presentation distributed by Stancil. The process would consider a “portion of the land to be used for park expansion and partnership with schools; portion of the land for other Town Goals, especially expansion of non residential future use and partnership opportunities.”

The town could also explore partnerships or sell off a portion of the property in an effort to recover some of the cost of purchasing the property.

The American Legion would continue to occupy the property for the next three years as part of an associated lease arrangement with the town.

The vote is scheduled for the meeting at seven o’clock Monday night in Town Hall.

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