City council unanimously to approved spending $75,000 to purchase three acres of property it intends to utilize as a nature preserve.

At its regular meeting on Tuesday, council voted 6-0 to adopt an expenditure bylaw that enables the city to purchase three lots along Charters Street, one of which is beneath the Nicola River.

Coun. Mike Goetz excused himself from the vote on a perceived conflict of interest.

The two lots above the water are land locked, and there is no legal access to them except through private property.

The land is home to a variety of wildlife and the city’s intention is to develop it as little as possible.

The city will also incur some legal costs and disbursements in addition to the $75,000 but expects to have sufficient funds for the purchase.

The account the funds are coming out of currently has $86,000 in it.