Opinion ID: 219206
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Conservation Easement Deeds

Text: The L'Enfant Trust, Inc. is a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), dedicated to the preservation of historic properties. In 2003 Simmons executed a Conservation Easement Deed of Gift granting to L'Enfant an easement in gross, in perpetuity, in, on, and to the Property, the Building and the Façade on Logan Circle. In 2004 she granted to L'Enfant another, essentially identical easement on the Vermont Avenue property. Each deed prohibits Simmons from materially altering the façade of the property without the written consent of L'Enfant, and requires her to maintain the properties in good repair, periodically clean the façades, and ensure any change to a façade will comply with applicable federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations. The deeds give L'Enfant the right to inspect the façades and to seek equitable remedies for any violation of the easements. By their terms, the easements are binding upon Simmons and her successors, heirs and assigns, run in perpetuity with the land, and survive any termination of Grantor's or the Grantee's existence. The deeds allow L'Enfant to give its consent (e.g., to changes in a Façade) or to abandon some or all of its rights thereunder. The deeds also acknowledge the properties were already encumbered by deeds of trust securing loans to a mortgage company, but recite that the lenders have agreed to subordinate their rights in the property to the rights of L'Enfant and join in the execution of the easement deed for this limited purpose. Attached to each deed are Lender Acknowledgements signed by a representative of the lenders.