Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: Option Agreement for Sale and Purchase of the Gretchen A. Graham property through The Conservation Fund - District 3
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Fiscal Impact:
Funds are available in Fund 3218, Cost Center 340241 of the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program for this acquisition ($7,000) and several other properties that are currently in the appraisal and/or negotiation process.
Dept/Office:
Parks and Recreation EELs Program
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC):
approve the Assignment of Option for Sale and Purchase of the Gretchen A. Graham property;
authorize the Chair to execute the Assignment of Option for Sale and Purchase;
authorize staff to exercise the Option for Sale and Purchase on or before October 15, 2026;
waive the requirement for an Environmental Site Assessment; and,
authorize the County Manager to execute all necessary budget amendments (BCRs) or other administrative actions necessary to support this acquisition.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The subject property is 1.4+/- acres located on Malabar Road in the Town of Grant-Valkaria, within the Grant Flatwoods Sanctuary. The property is ranked as a high priority for acquisition by the EEL Selection and Management Committee. As described in the Board-approved EEL Land Acquisition Manual, the property contains habitats that represent Natural Community Groups A & B including forested wetlands and pine flatwoods. The property is 95% wetlands. The property is within the Brevard Coastal Scrub Ecosystem State Florida Forever Project, is surrounded by existing conservation lands, and the acquisition of this property will create a more cohesive boundary of conservation lands along the perimeter of the Grant Flatwoods Sanctuary.
The Board approved Conservation Value Rubric was used to document the general conservation value of the property and it’s benefit to the Indian River Lagoon. Based on the available data, this ...
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