Agenda Item Name:
Title
Spring Hills Southwest Quadrant - Approve Conservation Easement in favor of Alachua County
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Presenter:
Mark Brown, 352-264-6815
Description:
The Spring Hills Southwest Quadrant is a 116-acre project area located southwest of the intersection of I-75 and NW 39th Avenue. The BoCC approved the preliminary design plan (PDP) for up to 149 residential units and up to 455,000 sf of light industrial, office, and warehousing facilities. A designated 29.2-acre “Conservation Management Area” (CMA) is located within the southwestern portion of the project area. To meet the applicable code requirements for regulated natural resource management and protection, the designated CMA will be protected in perpetuity with a recorded Conservation Easement conveyed to Alachua County.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Conservation Easement
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Prior Board Motions:
BoCC approved the revised Preliminary Development Plan (PDP), May 25, 2021.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
N/A
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Strategic Guide:
Strategic Guide
Environment
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Background:
The designated CMA represents an exceptional vegetative and wildlife habitat ecosystem. This classified “Mixed Upland Forest” has high vegetative species richness and structural diversity. Based on the high quality of habitat, the CMA represents the unique designation as “Significant Plant & Wildlife Habitat” per the County’s ULDC (Sec. 406, Article III).
A “Conservation Area Management Plan” has been prepared to address the perpetual habitat management and prohibited activities associated with the CMA. The management plan includes references to clearing, earthwork and construction activities proposed within proximity of the CMA and the installation of appropriate erosion control and barrier fencing to ensure there are no unauthorized encroachments of equipment, material, or vehicles within the CMA. The high-quality CMA habitat will require minimal management activities; primarily eradication and control of exotic and nuisance vegetative species such as scratch throat (Ardisia crenata).
The cost and responsibility of managing the CMA will be borne by the Spring Hills South Community Development District (CDD). Annual monitoring reports that document the habitat conditions and management activities conducted the previous year and anticipated during the following year will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). EPD staff will conduct annual inspections of the designated CMA, typically coinciding with receipt of the monitoring reports.
Permanent protection measures of the designated CMA are reflected through the recording of a Conservation Easement (CE). The purpose of the CE is to preserve the habitat in its current form, and to maintain, protect and enhance existing conservation resources, native plant and wildlife habitat quality, and to prevent any further development or disturbances by requiring adherence to the management practices specified in the CMA Management Plan. The owner/applicant (Grantor) has proposed the designated CE recipient (Grantee) of the CE will be Alachua County.
The County has a standard procedure that permanent easements to be granted to the County are placed on Consent Agenda for approval by the BoCC and are Approved as to Form by the County Attorney and signed by the Chair. Staff is therefore bringing this item forth to fulfill this standard procedure.