Agenda Item 8B - Bennett Property DiscussionAGENDA ITEM :
SUBMITTED BY:
DATE:
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
Be nnett Property Discussion
Douglas E. Layton , P.E ., Publict.prks))irector .. ~ LJ ./.,.._ ( .
September 30, 2014 0
AGENDA ITEM 1188
OCTOBEil 13,201 4
BACKGROUND: At a Commission budget workshop in August, the City rece ived a request
that the Ci ty consider acquirin g a portion of the Bennett property at Camelia Street and
W . 3rd Street (near the Tideviews Preserve}. The rationale proposed by the residents
was conservation of marsh front property to avoid potentia l future development. The
proposal sought to t ie the parcel to Tideviews Preserve by improving access along the
north ends of the Jasmine and Begonia (FOOT) Street ponds.
Recently the Commission asked staff to prepare a possible layout of the Bennett parcel in
relation to Tideviews Preserve a nd the ponds. Staff started from an exhibit within the
Marsh Master Plan and expanded the exhib it north and east to include both ponds and
the Bennett property. This expanded layout Is includ ed as Attachment 1 and includes
additional options beyond those shown in the Tideviews Marsh Master Plan .
A survey showing the proposed acquisition is included as Attachment 2 .
Attachment 3 discusses considerations fo r preparing an appraisal va lue of the property.
Also included are th ree options for marsh access for d iffering configurations of Bennett property
purchase .
We p reviously expl ored use of the FOOT Begonia Street pond . FOOT requires that the City take
ownership and responsibility for the pond , including responsibility for any contaminants now and
in the fu ture including potential changes to future stormwate r treatment requirements. This is a
serious requirement considering the City wi ll not have control of th e DOT areas that the Pond
serves.
BUDGET: There are no funds budgeted for acquisition of the parcel or for any
improvements required to the Jasmine or Begonia (FOOT) Street ponds .
RECOMMENDATION: For Commission discussion
ATIACHMENTS: 1. Potential area park layout
2 . Bennett Parcel S urvey
3. Comments Regarding Bennett Property Value
4 . Th ree Options for City purchase of Bennett Property
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: _-n.....::.........:....';__~......:a.._...,...;.....k::~~~:.....=z..--------
Existing Amenities Legend
:nx:: cny Lim II 0 Duo P11klng
(uphalt)
011VtW'Y (Uphill) 0 ADA Parking
(uphill)
~ Standud Parking
I1S25il (goobtock) D Wt lkWIY (II ph til)
r::-:l Sidewalk
l.:...:.!..l (concrott)
Rtttroomo
(pro lib)
ACEN OA ITEM 118 0
OCTOBER 13,2014
Clly or Atlonrlc
ouch Parcelo
FOOTIJEA
Ownollhlp
Attachment 2
StJ RVI~V
AGENDA ITEM # SB
OCTOBER 13,20 14
Attachment 3
Comments About Value for Private Purchase of Bennett Property:
AGENDA ITEM# 8B
OCTOBER 13, 2014
• West facing portion of the Bennett property is 70 by 100. It is likely comprised of
wetlands, and therefore very difficult to build on.
• A natural vegetative buffer of 50 feet must be maintained from tributaries, streams, or
other water bodies connected to the Intracoastal. The buffer must start at mean high
water line. The property is adjacent to a water body that is connected to the Intracoastal.
• A 25 foot natural vegetative buffer must be maintained between all jurisdictional wetlands
and development. The rear of this site is likely wetlands.
• Section 24-256 of the COAB code states that all lots shall have satisfactory and
permanent access to a paved public street. The rear of this property currently has no
access to a paved public street.
Because of these limitations, the property has a reduced value for residential
development. It is quite likely that the only use for this property is as a backyard for
current residents, or as conservation/park space for the public. Therefore, in Staff's
opinion all discussion for the acquisition should be in terms of its resale value as
conservation land, not buildable residential property. Additionally, a residential property
on the same block is for sale for $50,000. The lot is 50 by 1 00; however, it does not
have marsh view. So even if the property is buildable for residential, it is likely worth
less than appraised value provided by the residents.
ACI~NDA I TI!:M II 80
OCTOBER 13, 2014
Option 1. This shows the possibilities for the site if COAB doesn't acquire additional
land. The access to the ponds and Tideviews Preserve proposed by the residents
cou ld be provided entirely within the C ity's West 3rd Stand Jasmine Street rights of way
and wou ld not require an easement, but would require a small elevated walkover where
the access point has to cross a small section of wetlands/marsh.
A G ENDA ITEM H 88
O CTOBE R 13,2014
Option 2 . The portion in red is the rear portion of the Bennett property. Acquiring this
portion would allow access to the marsh from Camelia without an elevated walkover. It
would also add additional green space if the City wants to expand Tideviews Preserve .
AGENDA ITEM 1188
O CTOBER 13,20 14
Option 3 . This option could occur if the property owners also sold the northeast corner
of their property, in addition to the portion shown in option 2. A possible benefit to this
acq ui sit ion would be adding parking and bike spaces a long Camelia . A portion of this
area is already paved .