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BOOK99 PAI r J81 The City of Sebastian has expressed plans to improve a runway at the Sebastian Municipal Airport (to the west), such that the City has a need for a runway "clear zone" over approximately 50 acres of the western portion of the St. Sebastian PUD property. This "clear zone" is compatible with the proposed conservation use of the St. Sebastian PUD property, since the clear zone will not require removal of vegetation. Also, the City of Sebastian has expressed a desire that the County leave open the opportunity of the extension of Gibson Street along the eastern boundary of the property, most of which extension would be within an existing unimproved public.right-of-way. •Ownership Characteristics Currently, the subject property is owned by First Union National Bank. The current tax assessed value of the property is $1,232,790. *Acquisition Cost -Share & Property Management Two issues which are important to with respect to all proposed purchases are obtaining cost share assistance in property acquisition and addressing management costs. Cost -Share The Land Acquisition Advisory Committee, at its regular meeting in August, voted unanimously to support an 50% cost -share application to the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) under FCT's current cycle of funding. As proposed, the County would proceed to buy the property and seek after -purchase cost -share reimbursement through the FCT program. To meet an application submittal deadline, staff submitted an application to the FCT for the property, subject to County Commission approval. In December, state-wide applications will be ranked, and at that time it will be known if the St. Sebastian PUD property qualifies for grant funding. Management Costs The proposed use of the St. Sebastian PUD property is an expansion of a resource-based passive recreation park planned for the "AGC Industrial Tract Scrub" to the east. That property is proposed to have nature trails, picnic facilities, boardwalk/pier access into on-site wetlands, parking, and _informational displays. It is planned that public access facilities will be shared between the two projects, with nature -trails and boardwalks extending onto the St. Sebastian PUD property in conjunction with the expanded park area. Proposed improvements will be located to minimize impacts to site natural resources. The existing ORV trials will be used to the extent feasible for nature trials, being upgraded as necessary. A number of initial site improvements, including fencing and resource management, can be paid for with bond referendum funds as part of the property acquisition. Improvements such as limited parking will need to be funded by a source other than referendum monies. Potential funding sources include park development grants, county mitigation funds, and tree removal violation funds. Relating to long term management, the property will be incorporated into the county -wide park system and managed by the County Parks Division in coordination with county environmental planning staff. Volunteer groups will be asked to assist the County with certain aspects of property management such as nature trail up -keep and litter patrol. Staff proposes that the County enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Sebastian regarding City assistance in policing and management of the property. Overall, the County will be principally responsible for property management. The draft management plan for the AGC Industrial Tract Scrub, reviewed by the Board when it approved purchase of that property, was written with knowledge that the County would consider purchasing the +312 acre St. Sebastian PUD property. Combined, the two projects total close to 400 acres of conservation land, comprising what staff is proposing be called the "North_Rabastian Conservation Area." For this reason, the development costs -in that management plan were estimated with anticipation of the overall 400 acre management area. OCTOBER 8, 1996 52