PHOTO/TROY MORGAN
An outline shows the piece of property on Perico Island
that the county plans to purchase for $6 million.
To the left is St. Joe’s high-rise development,
showing the 27-acre, 22-feet-deep lake now under construction.
The lake will be surounded by 686 units in 13 builidngs.
Adjacent to the project is the Perico Harbor Marina,
also owned by St. Joe, which is part of the total
project. |
By Pat Copeland
sun staff writer
Manatee County commissioners last week agreed to proceed
with the purchase of nearly 200 acres of uplands and wetlands
on Perico Island.
The parcel is adjacent to St. Joe’s high-rise development
on the Palma Sola Causeway and includes 65 acres of uplands
and 130 acres of wetlands. The county has the first right
of refusal to purchase the property under the settlement
agreement with St. Joe made in November 2004.
"There are three big caveats," Senior Assistant
County Attorney Pat McVoy told the board. "The owner
is to provide an appraisal.
“In all likelihood, the owner will provide you with
an appraisal that relates back to the value of the property
to the owner at the time of the settlement agreement,
which may be different than the value to FCT (Florida
Communities Trust) when the county buys it with the land
use restriction."
The other caveats relate to the title commitments and
timing. She said there is a use limitation on the property,
which must be clarified with St. Joe.
Conservation Lands Management Department Administrator
Charlie Hunsicker said in a previous interview that the
county has budgeted $6 million for the purchase. The money
will come from the environmental services tax and a grant
from FCT.
