County commissioners approved two Longmont-area land purchases by the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department, Tuesday, each for more than $1 million.

The Parks and Open Space Department plans to buy the former Sky Pilot Farm — about 42 acres at 10384 Airport Road — for $1.75 million. It is directly east of Longmont’s Vance Brand Airport. The Parks and Open Space department plans to buy a 101-acre parcel of land between Longmont and Lyons at 6969 Ute Road for $2.975 million. The 6969 Ute Highway parcel already has been under a county conservation easement since 1996, meaning that no additional buildings may be built there.

Parks and Open Space land officers said both parcels have potential benefits for small acreage agricultural producers. Both purchases also include water rights.

At 6969 Ute Road, the Cottonwood property includes a house, along with several barns and sheds. Both the Rough and Ready and Palmerton ditches pass through the property, said Aaron Clark, a land officer with Parks and Open Space.

“This property really has high potential for diverse, small acreage producers — good size, excellent soils, really wonderful water rights and close proximity and accessibility to both Longmont and Lyons,” Clark said.

The former Sky Pilot Farm, listed as Sky View in the county documents, includes parts of the South Flat and Niwot ditches, said Tina Burghardt, senior land officer. An environmental assessment did not find any recognized environmental conditions, Burghardt said.

“(The parcel) will help the department offer agricultural opportunities to a diverse tenant pool, since it lies in close proximity to Longmont which offers housing and transportation means for potential farm workers,” Burghardt said.

The county commissioners approved both property acquisitions.

“A lot of these properties become opportunities for…in particular, the indigenous communities and smaller acreage opportunities for folks who haven’t been able to farm yet in Boulder County,” said Commissioner Marta Loachamin.

Commissioner Claire Levy added that since both properties already contain houses, the structures could become residences for farm workers and other laborers.

“When there is an opportunity to not only acquire land, but acquire something that could be a residence…I realize we may need to invest in it to make it habitable, but I think it’s money well spent,” Levy said.