9/17/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Comprehensive Plan Acquisition Commitment Conservation Policy 6.2 of the County Comprehensive Plan commits the County to acquire a minimum of 50 acres of xeric scrub for conservation purposes. Although this minimum acreage has already been acquired, the Sebastian Highlands Scrub project contributes to this policy by conserving xeric oak scrub. The project also furthers objectives in the City and County comprehensive plans relating to open space, aquifer primary recharge area protection, and rare species conservation. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the purchase contracts for the 47 individual lots as Phase II of the Sebastian Highlands Scrub acquisition project. Staff also recommends that the Board approve County payment, as a cost of land acquisition, of applicable Utilities water line assessments (including affected AGC lots) with bond funds. In addition, staff recommends that the Board approve exercise of the purchase contracts, and authorize staff to proceed with closing on the lots, including submittal of a Project Plan amendment to the FCT to fulfill requirements of the FCT cost -share Conceptual Approval Agreement. Chief of Environmental Planning Roland DeBlois advised that 2 more contracts have been received, which brings the total number of lots to 49. He presented a map outlining the project and explained that the project originally included 180 lots, with the north group having been eliminated. The total project now includes 150 lots, and 34 of the proposed 49 in this proposal are affected by the new utility easements. These 49 lots are being called Phase II. LAAC's recommendation was a 14-1 vote not to purchase these lots. Most contracts for these lots were signed prior to the utility assessments. The County will be responsible for management of the property. Staff feels this scrub acquisition is environmentally important and will provide open spaces. The County can consider paying for the.assessments as a part of the acquisition costs with bond funds. If paid later, the assessments would be paid through general funds. The County could take the position that the property owners must pay the assessments; however, staff felt this was not equitable. Staff recommends (1) approval of the purchase contracts for the 49 lots, (2) that the County pay the utility assessments for the 49 lots plus the AGC lots, and (3) exercise of the option contracts. Commissioner Bird felt that the biggest problem is the management aspect after the lots are acquired and wondered how that could work when the lots are scattered. Mr. DeBlois stated that the management plan includes a public access portion in the bigger cluster of 34 lots. The lots being considered today have no planned improvements and the main purpose for the acquisition is habitat management. There is a planned consolidation of the project as a part of Phase III. U.S. Fish & Wildlife wants local governments to take title to the properties; SEPTEMBER 17, 1996 33 BOOK