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DEC 5 1984 ^ , BOOK 59 Pa,F.140 that the remaining acreage of the 25 acre node be addressed under the neighborhood node process and there be no commitment that it is at the intersection. �I2EPORT ON McKEE JUNGLE GARDEN PROPERTY Commissioner Bird noted that the Commission was approached by Mr. Driscoll representing a group of citizens who are requesting that we look into the possibility of acquiring the McKee Jungle Garden area as a potential park site. He reported that he and staff have determined the following facts. The McKee. Jungle Gardens parcel, which contains approximately 20 acres fronting on U.S.1 and running back to the golf course, is owned by Vista Properties. This property is presently zoned C-1 and indicated on the Comprehensive Plan as commercial. Ron Ewing, President of Vista Properties, has indicated that he has tentative plans in mind for some type of restrictive commercial development on the U.S.1 portion with a high quality multi -family residential development to the rear abutting Vista Gardens. His asking price is 1.8 million dollars. Mr. Ewing pointed out that this property has not been maintained to any large degree, and it was his opinion that after all the undergrowth and trash trees are removed, the property would be quite open., and not the luxuriant tropical growth we all envision as we remember it when it was a tourist attraction. Commissioner Bird continued that he, Intergovernmental Services Director Thomas, and Parks Director Rex Hailey, did tour the site to decide how much work would be involved to bring it into a condition to be used as a passive park, plus the maintenance, etc. It was felt grant funds would be doubtful. There is a possibility some funds might be available under the present Coral Program, but it is a very competitive program. Commissioner Bird personally felt what we are talking about is a passive park rather than an active site with ballfields, 62