PLACEMENT: Consent
TITLE:
title
FINAL APPROVAL OF A VACANT LAND CONTRACT AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A QUIT CLAIM DEED FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THREE PARCELS OF VACANT LAND IN PALM BEACH HEIGHTS FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This is a request for final approval of a Vacant Land Contract and adoption of a Resolution approving and accepting a Quit Claim Deed from Be a Man Buy Land, LLC, for the acquisition of three (3) noncontiguous parcels of vacant land totaling 2.52 acres, located in Palm Beach Heights (Pal-Mar) for conservation purposes, totaling $47,880.00.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: Carla T. Segura, FRP
Title: Real Property Manager
REQUESTED BY: John Maehl, Environmental Resource Administrator
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
1. Agreement/Contract drafted by:
Martin County
2. Parties to the Agreement/Contract:
Be A Man Buy Land, LLC - Grantor
Martin County - Grantee
3. Purpose of the Agreement/Contract:
Acquisition of vacant land for conservation efforts
4. New/Renewal/Modification:
New
5. Duration:
Perpetual
6. Benefits to Martin County:
Additional conservation lands in the Pal-Mar area
7. Cost to Martin County:
$47,880.00 plus closing costs
Pal-Mar is roughly a 28,000+ acre wetland dominated system of environmentally sensitive lands in southern Martin County and northern Palm Beach County. The Pal-Mar area is a mosaic of wetland dominated habitats including cypress sloughs, open marshes, and hydric pine flatwoods. Due to a lack of development, Pal-Mar has some of the highest quality wetland systems in Martin County and possibly the greater Everglades system. Pal-Mar is part of a very large Greenway system that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Okeechobee. A portion of Pal-Mar is within the headwaters to Cypress Creek, which is one of the most important tributaries to the Wild and Scenic Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River.
Pal-Mar is made up of the Pal-Mar Water Control District (PMWCD), established pursuant to Special Law, Chapter 2005-307 and Chapter 298, Florida Statutes, and the John C. and Mariana Jones Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area (Hungryland). PMWCD is in both Martin and Palm Beach counties. Hungryland includes PMWCD property in addition to the Culpepper Ranch and Pal-Mar East (Nine Gems) properties that are east of Pratt Whitney Road. The Pal-Mar Complex (IRL South) is not considered to be a part of Pal-Mar because it drains into the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and is not a part of the Loxahatchee River Watershed.
On November 12, 2024, the BOCC approved a Settlement, Land Exchange, and Purchase Agreement between Be a Man Buy Land, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Martin County, the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Under the terms of that Agreement, Be A Man Buy Land, LLC is to notify and offer to the County and/or SFWMD the right of first refusal to purchase property, at $19,000.00 per acre, Be a Man Buy Land, LLC acquires as a result of a reversionary event following the parties’ settlement. In March 2025, Be a Man Buy Land, LLC offered to the County and SFWMD three (3) such parcels of land. The County has agreed to the acquisition of the three parcels of vacant land totaling 2.52 acres (+/-) in the amount of $47,880 total.
Sections 139.31 and 139.32, General Ordinances, Martin County Code, require that any conveyance of an interest in land to Martin County for any public purpose shall be accepted and approved by Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Martin County.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
1. Move that the Board approve the Vacant Land Contract and adopt a Resolution approving and accepting a Quit Claim Deed for the acquisition of three vacant parcels, totaling 2.52 acres, in Palm Beach Heights (Pal-Mar) from Be a Man Buy Land, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and authorize the Chair to execute all documents necessary to complete this transaction.
2. Move that the Board authorize a Budget Transfer from Open Space/Conservation Lands Impact Fee Reserves in the amount of $50,000 for the purchase and closing costs associated with this conservation land transaction.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Pull this item from the Consent Agenda and provide direction to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
$47,880.00 purchase price, with closing costs not to exceed $2,000.00. Funds are available in Open Space/Conservation Lands Impact Fee Reserves.
|
Funding Source |
County Funds |
Non-County Funds |
|
Open Space/Conservation Lands Impact Fees |
$47,880.00 |
|
|
Subtotal |
$47,880.00 Estimated |
|
|
Project Total |
$47,880.00 Estimated |
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☒Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.