2/6/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Boa 97 Phar 229 DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS The subject Prang. Island(s ) project has been under consideration by LAAC since the Committee began reviewing sites in 1990. The Prang Island(s) project is currently ranked 18th out of 20 projects on the LAAC site acquisition list. The Vero Beach City Council has expressed strong support of the project acquisition since the project was initially identified for acquisition. Site Characteristics The project consists of two islands in the Indian River Lagoon, located within Vero Beach city limits just west of Castaway Cove Wave IV. The larger of the two islands (Prang Island) consists of +19.5 acres, -+2.9 acres'of which are mangrove wetlands. A +5 acre tropical (maritime) hammock exists on the south portion of Prang Island, with the remainder of the island consisting of Brazilian pepper and Australian pine. The existence of exotics is primarily due to past spoil deposit. A make -shift campsite exists under the Australian pine canopy on the north portion of the island, and a +4.3 acre seagrass bed exists along the northwest shore of Prang Island. The smaller north island, "Little Prang", is +7 acres in size, +1 acre of which is mangrove fringe wetlands. Approximately +4.5 acres of Little Prang Island are disturbed with Brazilian pepper and Australian pine vegetation. Prang Island is located near a known historic Ais Indian village site on the adjacent barrier island, and an archaeological shell midden is reported on Prang Island. The island's name comes from the Prange family who homesteaded the island in the late 1800s. Evidence of the Prange homestead exists in the maritime hammock portion of the island. Prang Island has a land use designation of RL, Low Density Residential, up to 5 units per acre. Little Prang has a land use designation of ES, Environmentally Sensitive, with a development density of up to one unit per 5 acres. The current owner has obtained preliminary plat approval for 20 single-family residential lots on Prang Island. However, because the State prohibits bridges to such islands and public utilities are not available, final approval for development of the 20 lot subdivision has not ,been forthcoming. •Ownership Characteristics Currently, the subject property is owned by the Idlewyld Corporation, Inc., represented by Ronald Rathburn. Public records indicate that the subject property was purchased by the current owner in 1979 as part of a bigger tract that has since been developed as Castaway Cove. The current tax assessed value is $122,930. •Acquisition Cost -Share a Property Management Two issues which are important with respect to all proposed purchases are obtaining cost share assistance in property acquisition and addressing management costs. 58 FEBRUARY 6, 1996 M M