11/7/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r ON MOTION by Commissioner Bird, SECONDED by Commissioner Tippin, the Board (by a 4-0 vote, Commissioner Eggert being absent) unanimously agreed to reconsider Item 11-G-1, Walgreen's Site - Proposed Right -of -Way Acquisition. Commissioner Bird questioned whether it would be possible, either through a more finite thoroughfare plan so everyone can understand how much right of way will be required to avoid future confrontations, and Public Works Director Jim Davis responded that it was his belief that in this instance the property owner put the transaction together without consulting the thoroughfare plan. Many property owners donate land for rights-of-way; however, this situation has been a most difficult one to solve. Attorney Steve Henderson, representing 17th Street Joint Venture, the owner of the site, explained that this particular site plan had been dictated by Walgreen. When the developer started the site plan, they discovered the right-of-way needs by letter dated 2/17/95 which made it clear the County required additional right- of-way. At a meeting on 2/23/95, the County advised 60 feet was needed on 17th street and 20 feet on US 11. Due to parking requirements there was no way to accommodate the shift, of the building which caused a major change. This is a unique corner in Vero Beach and the developer is looking for a deal from the County. Brian West, developer, felt that he was not made aware of the County's right-of-way requirements until the meeting of February 23, 1995, when he was told the site plan would not be approved unless the future right-of-way could be worked out. There were approximately 10 people at that meeting. The City reduced their requirement from 75 feet to 60 feet and he tried to negotiate an additional 20 feet from the rear of the property. However, the owner refused to sell a portion of the property and we were forced to buy the entire piece for over $300,000. Mr. West emphasized _ that he is not asking for reimbursement of the $300,000 but their costs were $23 a square foot which they feel is a fair market value. The property will pay $100,000 per year in property and sales taxes to the County. Director Davis felt that the initial site plan did not consider the thoroughfare plan which has been in existence since 1985. The County did not force anyone to make a decision here; this was a business decision to purchase land at so many dollars per square foot to build the Walgreen project and the developer should have been aware that the site was too tight to work with. It was probably a better business decision to add the additional property to the site which allowed the rights-of-way to be Bou 96 Pa�,;,F574 NOVEMBER 79 1995 61