Agenda Item Name:
Title
Lochloosa Creek - White Pond Option Contract to Purchase Real Property
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Presenter:
Charlie Houder / (352) 264-6804
Description:
Request for the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to approve and exercise the Option to purchase the Lochloosa Creek property from the White Construction Company, Inc. (± 30 acres, Parcel: 18113-001-001), through the Alachua County Forever program. The approval to exercise this Option is the final BoCC action on the acquisition of this project.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
1. Approve and exercise the Option to purchase the Lochloosa Creek - White Pond parcel.
2. Authorize staff to execute additional documents as necessary to close the transaction.
3. Approve any necessary budget transfers required for the Lochloosa Creek - White Pond parcel acquisition.
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Prior Board Motions:
On September 25, 2018, the BoCC placed Lochloosa Creek - White Pond parcel on the Active Acquisition List (Full Fee).
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Total acquisition costs are estimated to be $105,000 for the land plus $9,999.50 for due diligence and closing services. The basis for these estimates is detailed below. The final purchase price will be based on $3,500.00 per/acre multiplied by the surveyed acreage as defined in the Option Contract. A precise determination of the Lochloosa Creek - White Pond parcel total acres will not be known until a boundary survey is complete.
This purchase price is supported by the appraisal provided by Santangini Appraisals, LLC.
The amount of the option payment is a non-refundable $1,000.00. However, if the option is exercised, the $1,000.00 will be applied to the final purchase price.
In order to provide sufficient spending authority to cover an unanticipated change in acreage or other acquisition costs, staff is requesting authorization to expend an amount equal to the estimated acquisition and due diligence costs, plus 10%.
Estimated purchase price: $105,000 (30 ac x $3,500.00/ac)
• Survey: $4,696.00
• Phase I ESA: $3,002.00
• Attorney’s fees and closing costs: $2,301.50
• 10% contingency on purchase price & due diligence: $11,499.95
TOTAL EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY REQUESTED: $126,499.45
WSPP - Land Acquisition (Capital Expense)
Fund#: 021.41.4160.537.61.00 - 6194101 Lochloosa Creek - White Pond
2019 Property Taxes (all jurisdictions): $187.47
Estimated Annual Alachua County Forever Management Costs: $437
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Background:
On August 23, 2018, the Land Conservation Board (LCB) placed the Lochloosa Creek - White Pond parcel on the Full Price, Priority Pool. The White Pond parcel (18113-001-001) is 30 acres in size, and is located on the south side of State Road 20 in eastern Alachua County. The parcel is an inholding within Alachua County’s Phifer Flatwoods Preserve and its acquisition would facilitate management of the Preserve. In addition, the Preserve’s public recreational trails would be enhanced considerably by adding the pond as a visitor amenity.
Staff has negotiated the attached Option (Exhibit 1) with the advice and review of the Assistant County Attorney, Dave Forziano.
The Lochloosa Creek - White Pond Option Contract requires transmittal of a signed Notice of Exercise of Option by the BoCC Chair, to the Sellers by July 21, 2020 (the date the Option period ends). (Exhibit 5)
The dominant natural community on the property is Mesic Flatwoods in fire suppressed condition. The property contains an 11.6 acre non-forested wetland and pond as a result of a borrow pit operation dug approximately 20 years ago. The pond and associated wetlands are vegetated with native plants and supports habitat for an abundance of wildlife. The eastern portion of the property includes a 2.7 acre bedded pine plantation. The management of this parcel will be incorporated into the management of the surrounding Phifer Flatwoods Preserve. The parcel is included within the Lochloosa Forest Additions Strategic Ecosystem. (Exhibit 2)
A boundary survey and phase I environmental survey are the next steps of due diligence that will be initiated after the Option is Exercised by Alachua County.
Comp Plan Reference:
Acquiring the Lochloosa Creek - White Pond Tract fulfils multiple objectives endorsed within the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, Policy 6.0 Land Conservation Program within the Conservation and Open Space Element, states “Establish and maintain a land conservation program for the purchase, preservation, and management of natural areas and open space to complement the regulatory approaches identified in other section of this element.”