6/23/1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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JUN 22 1997 BOOK 68 r1GE 646 Commissioner Wheeler believed we all would like to have the Mooney property, but it seems we can't afford it and unfortunately we don't have the time necessary to go to the public and determine their feelings. Attorney Herzog, representing the owners of the property in question, asked that the Board think about the Mooney family who each month must make the mortgage payment on this property. He felt the first step should be price negotiation, and then the Mooney family can consider who they want to sell the property to or whether they want to develop it. Commissioner Bird pointed out that this is a very nice piece of property, and he was not sure we need such a prime piece of property for a utilities function. Chairman Scurlock asked the Utility Director about proposed locations for a North County plant, and Director Pinto reported that right now we are looking north of Hobart Road. He pointed out that in location of the plant you are not only talking about purchase of land, but a major extension south to get there. Also, when you reduce density in an area substantially, it makes it much less favorable to bring utilities to that area. Chairman Scurlock believed we are hearing that #1, this property is not a viable place for wastewater, and #2, that if it were used for a water plant, the timing is all wrong. These people need an answer, and it looks as if the answer may be no. Pat Brown came before the Board to speak on behalf of the Pelican Island Audubon Society. She reported that the Society feels the sand ridge is an important system to preserve, and they do not feel a coexistence with utilities is necessary to justify the preservation of the land. There are very few of these sites remaining in Indian River County. Mrs. Brown stated that she can appreciate the many problems, but would urge the Board to keep looking for methods to acquire land like this which is important to the long range future of the county. 52