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 MINUTES
Reid Hughes, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:35p.m. Roll Call Reid Hughes, Chair, instructed the Recording Secretary to record the roll of the Members in attendance, in which seven (7) Members were present. Approval of Minutes Reid Hughes, Chair, called for a motion to approve the March 28, 2002, Minutes. Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to approve the minutes with no corrections or addition. Member Phil Maroney seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote. Reid Hughes, Chair, called for a motion to approve the May 15, 2002, Minutes. Member Gordon Kipp made a motion to approve the minutes with no corrections or addition. Member Phil Maroney seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair Chairman Reid Hughes called for nominations from the floor for Chair. Member Gordon Kipp nominated Member Reid Hughes as Chair. Without any other recommendations for nomination of Chair, Member Reid Hughes was appointed as Chair by acclamation of Committee, and carried unanimously by voice vote. Chairman Reid Hughes called for nominations from the floor for Vice-Chair. Member Dennis Bayer nominated Member Carrie Stewart. Without any other recommendations for nomination of Vice-Chair, Member Carrie Stewart was appointed as Vice-Chair by acclamation of Committee, and carried unanimously by voice vote. Discussion and Determination of Eligibility of Plum Creek/Rayonier Property Rob Walsh presented the staff report, a location map, an additional map displaying the current conservation areas in Volusia County, and a Quick Facts sheet. He stated that staff was requesting that the Committee establish the eligibility of the Plum Creek property for further consideration under the Volusia Forever Land Acquisition Program, and amend the County Council approved Group "A" List to add Plum Creek, which staff would present to the County Council on July 18, 2002, for approval. He explained that the acquisition of the Plum Creek property would be a 50/50 joint participation acquisition between the SJRWMD and Volusia County. He provided the following information about this property and the acquisition:
Clay Henderson provided the following explanation of a conservation easement (less than fee simple acquisition) – it is the purchase of the development rights from the property owner, which would provide resource protection. Discussion ensued regarding the permitted uses on a conservation easement with Rob Walsh explaining that silviculture, hunting leases, and ecotourism are permitted uses. He also explained that it would be permissible for Parcels 1 and 4 to be subdivided into 5 parcels with a minimum parcel size of 40 acres and the property could be sold. However, the conservation easement would continue with the property, regardless of who owns the property. Randall Sleister asked if the County and/or the District have the right of first refusal if Plum Creek wanted to sell the property. Ray Bunton stated that the County and/or the District would have the right of first refusal. Member Dennis Bayer asked if building would be permitted on the 5 parcels subdivided from Parcels 1 and 4. Rob Walsh stated that Parcel 4 would be permitted 12,000 square feet of construction/improvements to the hunting camp(s), and Parcel 1 would be permitted only 6,000 square feet of construction/improvements to the hunting camp(s). Chairman Reid Hughes asked what the covenants were regarding silviculture harvesting on the fee simple Parcels 5 and 6. Rob Walsh presented an additional map to display the timber harvesting, which would be allowed to continue on Parcels 5 and 6, for a maximum of 15 years. Ray Bunton, SJRWMD, stated that the District would be requesting an amendment to the Volusia Conservation Corridor’s boundaries to include the Plum Creek Property. With the amendment, there would be a 50% funding contribution from the State, and the County could be reimbursed a portion of their expenditures on the fee simple parcel. Rob Walsh requested that the Committee provide staff with the approval to draft a letter for the Chairman’s signature supporting the District’s request to amend the CARL boundaries to include the Plum Creek property in the Volusia Conservation Corridor. The Committee provided staff with the approval to draft a letter from the Committee supporting the District’s request to amend the CARL boundaries to include the Plum Creek property in the Volusia Conservation Corridor. Discussion ensued regarding the financial options for the acquisition of this property with Frank B. Gummey, III, explaining, per Resolution 2001-198, that it would be the responsibility of the County Manager to provide the County Council with the financing alternatives. The County Council would make the final determination as to which financial alternative to pursue. Member Carrie Stewart made a motion to accept the Plum Creek Application as an eligible project and amend the Group "A" List to add the Plum Creek property, which will be forwarded to the County Council. Member Gordon Kipp seconded the motion that carried by unanimous voice vote. Discussion of Small Lot Acquisition Program Rob Walsh explained that staff has identified target areas that are antiquated, platted subdivisions (Cape Atlantic Estates, University Highlands, Hamilton Heights, Park Villas, and Davis Park, as examples) without infra-structure and are primarily wetlands. The County has been acquiring small lots through land donations, tax sales, and purchases utilizing wetlands mitigation funds that were created through the wetlands mitigation ordinance. With the creation of the wetlands ordinance, the County created a funding source (approximately $20,000/year) to purchase the smaller lots. The County collects fees from developers who impact wetlands, which pays for the damages caused by their development. The County, in turn, utilizes those funds to purchase significant wetlands that are protected and can’t be built upon. Staff requested that the Committee approve the usage of Volusia Forever funds (2% of the annual funds raised by the Volusia Forever program) for the acquisition of small lots. This would permit staff to take a pro-active approach in obtaining property within an area that has been targeted as a priority and provide connectivity. Cape Atlantic Estates was recommended for the initial attempt by staff, as the SJRWMD is in the process of acquiring the Hart Cattle Company property, which encompasses this area. The small lot acquisition program would be a staff intensive program and a supplement to the acquisition of larger properties, which have a significant ecological value. Staff would provide updates/reports to the Committee. Member Dennis Bayer made a motion designating 2% of the annual Volusia Forever funds, up to $65,000, for acquisition of small lots and requiring staff to provide a quarterly report to the Volusia Forever Advisory Committee. Member Carrie Stewart seconded the motion that carried unanimously by voice vote. Discussion ensued regarding the estimated time in which the funds designated for small lot acquisition would be utilized. Randall Sleister explained that the County Council would have to approve the Committee’s recommendation, which could be presented by staff as early as the July 18, 2002, County Council Meeting, before the funds could be utilized for the small lot acquisitions. Rob Walsh stated that because of the number of current projects being processed staff anticipates utilizing the funds as early as Fall 2002. Other Business Rob Walsh requested that the Committee make a determination regarding the necessity to hold a meeting on July 17, 2002. After the Committee determined that the meeting on July 17, 2002, was not necessary, Chairman Reid Hughes canceled the July 17, 2002, meeting. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 4:40p.m. Public information produced by Volusia County Government |
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