Purchase on Shingle Creek would complete paddling trail

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Purchase on Shingle Creek would complete paddling trail

County News

Thursday, 23 December 2010 08:02

By Marvin G. Cortner
Editor
The Osceola County Commission voted 4-1 on Dec. 13 to put a 590-acre site along Shingle Creek on the county’s environmental lands acquisition list.
The county’s Land Conservation Advisory Board has recommended the site, which is part of what is referred to as The Reserve at Legacy Resort, which is south of Osceola Parkway, west of John Young Parkway and north of Babb Road. Osceola Development Trust owns the property. With the addition of The Reserve, there are now nine sites on the active acquisition list.
According to county documents, the property can be accessed from Babb Road or by water on Shingle Creek and that the property has approximately 8,664 feet (1.6 miles) of creek shoreline. The majority of the property is comprised of a large forested wetland system associated with the creek, as well as improved pasture, oak hammock and remnant orange grove. Additionally, the site, which has 333 acres of wetlands, has a series of historic canals for draining the pasture lands.
Doug Hattaway, with the Trust for Public Land, an agency negotiating a purchase price with the owner, said acquisition of the parcel would complete the 16-mile greenway along Shingle Creek, helping to protect the creek’s watershed and allowing the county to further promote the stream for eco-tourism. Hattaway also recommended the county apply to the state for a grant through the Florida Forever program to help buy the property.
The trust becomes involved in buying private land either as a partner with government or as a way to protect a site until government can act to purchase it.
Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr. said putting the site on the acquisition list is only the “first step” on the road to possible county purchase of the property. He also said buying the site, given the county’s recent purchase for $9.2 million of the Tohoqua property on the east side of Lake Tohopekaliga through the land conservation program, would not be possible without partnerships with other local governments or agencies.
Commissioner John Quiñones, who voted against pursuing the site, said that once a property is added to the list, the county then starts incurring costs.
“This is such a large parcel, the county could not afford this land,” Quiñones said. “I would like to take a step back and see how Tohoqua will be developed – and Lake Lizzie (another site the county purchased through the program). I’m a little concerned about continuing to move forward on this one.”
Commissioner Michael Harford supported adding the site to the acquisition list.
“This is a piece that completes the property we could buy from (U.S. Highway) 192 to the (Orange-Osceola) county line,” Harford said, adding that the county already owns property along the creek.
County Manager Don Fisher urged the commission to prioritize the acquisition list before spending any money on pursuing any of the sites.
Mary Carr, the former chairman of the advisory board, on Monday said it would be foolish to pass up a purchase along Shingle Creek, calling the creek the county’s “diamond in the rough.” She also said the potential for partnerships in the purchase of The Reserve is high, a stark contrast to the Tohoqua site.
The land conservation program, referred to as SAVE, for Save and Value Environment, is funded through a property tax approved by voters in 2004; 15 percent of the revenue raised is earmarked for improving or maintaining the property purchased. Bonds have been sold to fund the program, with the tax revenue used to pay off the debt.
The advisory board screens sites before recommending them for active acquisition. Once on the list, county staff completes a more detailed review of the property, which can include an appraisal, environmental assessment, title work and letter of intent. According to county documents, approximately $5.74 million remains in the SAVE program for purchases.
The Reserve site, county staff said, would provide good access for wildlife viewing areas on Shingle Creek and would offer opportunities for passive recreational opportunities, such as bird watching, wildlife photography, fishing, canoe/kayaking, camping and hiking This site is adjacent to Shingle Creek Regional Park.