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Water district's deal draws protests about possible development in Indian River
By ED BIERSCHENK
ed.bierschenk@scripps.com
February 17, 2006
VIERA � A land deal that could be worth more than $60 million to an Indian River County citrus partnership also could result in additional development in what is now a largely rural part of the county.
The deal that could be closed later this year has some people concerned that the St. Johns River Water Management District gave up too much to acquire 6,000 acres near the Stick Marsh, north of Fellsmere. Some area sportsmen also think the potential influx of people into the western portion of the county could have a negative impact on their way of life.
Concern over the deal between St. Johns and Fellsmere Joint Venture, which includes major citrus operator Sun-Ag Inc., was expressed by residents attending Thursday night's meeting of St. Johns River Water Management District's Southern Region Recreational Public Meeting.
Last month, St. Johns' Board of Governors approved giving the joint venture $35.25 million and a 1,970-acre parcel St. Johns owns about two miles south of Fellsmere in exchange for 6,020 acres near the Stick Marsh. As part of the deal, that land and another 4,000-acre parcel of land the district purchased from Sun-Ag Inc. for $9.4 million in 2002 can be used for recreational purposes although airboats will be prohibited.
Prior to this latest deal agreement, recreational use of the 4,000-acre parcel had been prohibited as part of the earlier arrangement with Sun-Ag.
The total value of the deal to Fellsmere Joint Ventures was estimated at $62.85 million by St. Johns officials.
As part of the deal, the joint venture retained the development rights on the land. According to Jack Eckdahl, assistant director of St. Johns Operations and Land Resources Department, these development rights potentially could be used to barter for increased density at other property the joint venture owns if allowed by Indian River County.
Currently, the Urban Service Area, mostly east of 58th Avenue, allows for county utilities and for such densities as six homes per acre. West of that, density now is limited to agricultural levels of one home per five acres, one home per 10 acres or one home per 20 acres.
The county is looking at a plan that would allow for increased density in areas designated as "new towns," located outside the Urban Services Area, in exchange for giving up development rights on other land developers own in the rural areas of the county.
Jeff Kraynik, a local fishing boat captain, was grateful for efforts St. Johns made to acquire the land, but he thought the district may have given up too much. He said he already has heard discussions about plans to develop some of the land owned by the Fellsmere Farms Joint Venture and is afraid that people moving into the homes might be opposed to loud guns or other activities that currently take place in the rural parts of the county.
Eckdahl suggested that eventually homes and condominiums could be located right next to rural wetlands, just as they are farther south near the Everglades.
Water district's deal draws protests about possible development in Indian River
By ED BIERSCHENK
ed.bierschenk@scripps.com
February 17, 2006
VIERA � A land deal that could be worth more than $60 million to an Indian River County citrus partnership also could result in additional development in what is now a largely rural part of the county.
The deal that could be closed later this year has some people concerned that the St. Johns River Water Management District gave up too much to acquire 6,000 acres near the Stick Marsh, north of Fellsmere. Some area sportsmen also think the potential influx of people into the western portion of the county could have a negative impact on their way of life.
Concern over the deal between St. Johns and Fellsmere Joint Venture, which includes major citrus operator Sun-Ag Inc., was expressed by residents attending Thursday night's meeting of St. Johns River Water Management District's Southern Region Recreational Public Meeting.
Last month, St. Johns' Board of Governors approved giving the joint venture $35.25 million and a 1,970-acre parcel St. Johns owns about two miles south of Fellsmere in exchange for 6,020 acres near the Stick Marsh. As part of the deal, that land and another 4,000-acre parcel of land the district purchased from Sun-Ag Inc. for $9.4 million in 2002 can be used for recreational purposes although airboats will be prohibited.
Prior to this latest deal agreement, recreational use of the 4,000-acre parcel had been prohibited as part of the earlier arrangement with Sun-Ag.
The total value of the deal to Fellsmere Joint Ventures was estimated at $62.85 million by St. Johns officials.
As part of the deal, the joint venture retained the development rights on the land. According to Jack Eckdahl, assistant director of St. Johns Operations and Land Resources Department, these development rights potentially could be used to barter for increased density at other property the joint venture owns if allowed by Indian River County.
Currently, the Urban Service Area, mostly east of 58th Avenue, allows for county utilities and for such densities as six homes per acre. West of that, density now is limited to agricultural levels of one home per five acres, one home per 10 acres or one home per 20 acres.
The county is looking at a plan that would allow for increased density in areas designated as "new towns," located outside the Urban Services Area, in exchange for giving up development rights on other land developers own in the rural areas of the county.
Jeff Kraynik, a local fishing boat captain, was grateful for efforts St. Johns made to acquire the land, but he thought the district may have given up too much. He said he already has heard discussions about plans to develop some of the land owned by the Fellsmere Farms Joint Venture and is afraid that people moving into the homes might be opposed to loud guns or other activities that currently take place in the rural parts of the county.
Eckdahl suggested that eventually homes and condominiums could be located right next to rural wetlands, just as they are farther south near the Everglades.
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