PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
title
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE DONATION OF 13 PARCELS TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 ACRES NEAR EAST FORK CREEK AND THE HOBE SOUND SCRUB PRESERVE TO BE PRESERVED IN PERPETUITY FOR CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND NATURE-BASED PASSIVE RECREATION PURPOSES
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This is a request for preliminary approval of the donation of 13 parcels totaling approximately 6.7 acres located on US 1 adjacent to East Fork Creek and the Hobe Sound Scrub Preserve (the “Property”). The Property is being generously donated to the County by Ms. Louise C. Yeiser and will be preserved in perpetuity for conservation, environmental and nature-based passive recreation purposes.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: John Maehl
Title: Environmental Resources Administrator
REQUESTED BY: John Maehl, Environmental Resource Administrator
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
1. Donation Documents drafted by:
Martin County
2. Parties to the Donation:
Martin County - Grantee
Louise C. Yeiser - Grantor
3. Purpose of the Donation:
A) Babic Trust Parcel: 1 parcel totaling 4.01 acres of vacant land to be preserved for nature-based passive recreation and environmental protection purposes.
B) Ella Development Parcel: 2 parcels totaling 1.15 acres of vacant land to be preserved for nature-based passive recreation and environmental protection purposes.
C) SE Hillside Circle Parcel: 10 parcels totaling 1.54 acres of vacant land to be preserved for nature-based passive recreation and environmental protection purposes.
4. New/Renewal/Modification:
New
5. Duration:
Perpetual
6. Benefits to Martin County:
Addition of environmental lands for conservation and recreational purposes.
7. Cost to Martin County:
Minimal recording fees
On March 12, 2026, staff met with Ms. Louise C. Yeiser, her broker and her attorney to discuss Ms. Yeiser’s desire to purchase and subsequently donate certain properties to Martin County for environmental, conservation, stormwater and nature-based passive recreation purposes. Ms. Yeiser’s several closings on her acquisition of the Property are scheduled for May and June of 2026.
Pursuant to the Martin County Board-Directed Donation Policy (POL37), Real Property and the Environmental Resources Division (ERD) of the Public Works Department have completed their evaluation of the proposed donation of the Property. Section E of the policy requires departmental review and recommendation prior to Board of County Commissioners (Board) consideration. ERD supports the acceptance of this donation, subject to coordination with Real Property and Fixed Assets, with final approval and acceptance by the Board.
Donations of this nature allow the County to advance key objectives, including environmental resources protection, open space preservation, and potential water resource benefits. Acceptance of the Property would align with the County’s broader goals of enhancing and protecting natural systems.
An Affidavit of No Conflict will be executed prior to finalizing the donation, and a proposed Special Warranty Deed, containing appropriate restrictions on the perpetual use and maintenance of the Property, will be agreed upon by the parties. Upon preliminary approval by the Board, Real Property and Legal will review all documentation associated with the acquisition of the Property by donation and return to the Board at a future meeting to seek approval of the Special Warranty Deed and acceptance of the Property by Resolution.
ISSUES:
Staff is awaiting final documentation from the anticipated closings, at which time the Legal and Real Property departments will review and approve prior to final acceptance of the donation by Board action at a future date.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, and staff have identified and addressed legal risks and developed strategies for legal defensibility, as applicable.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board:
• Preliminarily approve the donation of 13 parcels totaling approximately 6.7 acres from Louise C. Yeiser and direct staff to prepare a Special Warranty Deed and Resolution accepting the Property to be approved by the Board at a future meeting via the Consent Agenda; and
• Authorize the Chair to execute any additional documents associated with this transaction.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide staff with alternate direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other: