9/8/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 0 0 K 10 • Comprehensive Plan Acquisition Commitment Conservation Policy 6.3 of the 2020 County Comprehensive Plan commits the County to acquire a minimum of 100 acres of coastal tropical hammock for conservation purposes. Although the County has fulfilled this minimum acreage requirement, the subject parcels contribute to this policy by conserving ± 12.1 acres of tropical hammock. The project also furthers objectives in the County comprehensive plan relating to open space, recreation, flood plain protection, and rare species conservation. The County Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (LAAC), at its meetings on November 19, 1997 (concerning the Swedroe and Padden parcels)and on July 29, 1998 (concerning the Gilman and deGuzman parcels), voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners purchase the subject parcels, provided that the management plan for the project remains flexible to allow for coordination with St. Lucie County regarding purchase of the remaining three parcels (as a tie-in to conservation lands in St. Lucie County associated with the Avalon State Recreation Area). For reference, excerpts from the minutes of the two LAAC meetings at which the purchases were discussed are attached. Staff's position is that the management plan as written references the project's tie-in to conservation lands in St. Lucie County, and allows for ongoing coordination with St. Lucie County staff regarding closing the gap between the Round Island South project and the Avalon State Recreation Area Thus, the management plan addresses LAAC's concern. Also, as with all management plans, there is always an opportunity for the Board to revise the plan if warranted by changed circumstances. Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve exercise of the option contracts for the six northern parcels of the Round Island South LAAC site, and authorize staff to proceed with closing on the subject parcels in accordance the 50% cost -share agreement with the Florida Communities Trust. Staff also recommends that the Board approve the draft Round Island South Management Plan. ATTACHMENTS • General map of Round Island South project parcels • Table summarizing estimated management and development costs (page 19 of the draft management plan) • Excerpts of 11/19/97 and 07/29/98 LAAC meeting minutes • Padden option agreement (the other options are on file in the County Commission Office) • Draft Round Island South Management Plan September 8, 1998 30