Agenda Item Name:
Title
Spring Hills Transit Oriented Development (TOD) - Approve Conservation Easement in favor of Alachua County
End
Presenter:
Mark Brown, 352-264-6815
Description:
The Spring Hills project is a phased development plan for one Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and two Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TND) with a range of 1,938-3,036 residential units and 198,100 sf - 1,383,000 sf on non-residential gross floor area within a total project area of 390 acres. There are five separate designated “Conservation Management Areas” (CMA’s) totaling 91 acres, all located within the Northeastern Quadrant of the project area. The CMA’s correspond to the same designated locations and habitat conditions as when a Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) for the property was previously approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) in 2014. To meet the applicable code requirements for regulated natural resource management and protection, the designated CMA’s will be protected in perpetuity with a recorded Conservation Easement conveyed to Alachua County.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Conservation Easement
End
Prior Board Motions:
BoCC approved the revised Preliminary Development Plan (PDP), December 13, 2022
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
N/A
End
Strategic Guide:
Strategic Guide
Environment
End
Background:
The most exceptional vegetative and wildlife habitat ecosystem associated with the five CMA’s is within the 80-acre mature forest located within the northernmost area of the property. This classified “Upland Hardwood Forest” (CMA 1) has high vegetative species richness and structural diversity; and represents one of the largest climax ecosystems located in the vicinity. There are also several small, isolated high-quality mixed forested wetlands embedded within CMA 1.This CMA is adjacent to similar nature habitats associated with the Santa Fe Village TOD (CMA - 47 acres) and San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. This mosaic corridor of habitats provides exceptional opportunities for wildlife usage and connectivity. CMAs 2-5 are primarily comprised of forested wetlands circled by narrow buffers of hardwood upland habitats.
A “Conservation Area Management Plan” has been prepared to address the perpetual habitat management and prohibited activities associated with the five CMAs. The management plan includes references to clearing, earthwork and construction activities proposed within proximity of the CMAs, and the installation of appropriate erosion control and barrier fencing to ensure there are no unauthorized encroachments of equipment, material, or vehicles within the CMAs. The CMA habitats are of high quality that typically 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 CMAs will be borne by the Spring Hills North Community Development District. Annual monitoring reports that document the habitat conditions and management activities conducted during 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 designated CMAs, typically coinciding with receipt of the monitoring reports.
Permanent protection measures of the designated CMAs are reflected through the recording of a Conservation Easement (CE). The purpose of the CE is to preserve the habitats in their 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.