TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Environmental Land Acquisition Program and Addition of Two Properties to the Land Acquisition Property List, Parcel Identification Number 0944071307 Located on Garrison Avenue and Property Located on Langlais Drive.
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Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the addition of two properties, parcel Identification number (PID) 0944071307 located on Garrison Avenue and property located on Langlais Drive to the Land Acquisition Property List.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the addition of two properties, parcel Identification number (PID) 0944071307 located on Garrison Avenue and property located on Langlais Drive to the Land Acquisition Property List.
• Pros:
o Responds to willing sellers who proactively contacted the City.
o Captures newly identified ecological value such as high-quality wetlands and hydrologically connected systems.
o Strengthens regional connectivity including Myakkahatchee Creek and City stormwater network.
o Builds program momentum through direct citizen feedback.
• Cons:
o Shifts staff focus away from the second-tier, initially approved properties of interest.
Option 2: Do not approve the addition of two properties, parcel Identification number (PID) 0944071307 located on Garrison Avenue and property located on Langlais Drive to the Land Acquisition Property List.
• Pros
o Advances acquisition for parcels previously approved by the Commission.
o Maintains focus and staff time on the second-tier, initially approved properties of interest.
o Supports more predictable process.
• Cons
o May delay or miss opportunities with willing sellers who are actively seeking to work with the City.
o Could limit flexibility to acquire high-value parcels not originally identified.
Background Information
The Natural Resources Division has identified ecologically valuable areas throughout the City that contain parcels of high environmental significance. These areas include wetlands, floodplains, and upland habitats that provide essential functions such as flood mitigation, water quality protection, wildlife habitat, and long-term ecological connectivity. This approach supports both environmental resilience, by protecting natural systems that reduce flooding and improve water quality, and community resilience by preserving green infrastructure that benefits residents Citywide. As part of program development, staff evaluated 35 parcels based on ecological value, hydrologic function, and connectivity to existing conservation lands.
Outreach is being conducted through a tiered outreach process in organized groups of ten parcels, with two outreach attempts per parcel; an initial certified letter followed by a second notice. If owners remain non‑responsive after both attempts, staff advances to the next tier and continues sequential outreach to the next group of ten parcels. Owners who proactively reach out are treated as willing sellers and are evaluated and brought forward for Commission consideration, as appropriate. Staff will provide periodic Commission updates summarizing outreach outcomes, owner responses, new inquiries, and recommended adjustments to the Land Acquisition Property List.
Two property owners responded to the City’s initial outreach to the first tier of priority parcels. One property (PID 0942042701, owner Scott Walker) contains wetlands and mapped floodplain and aligns with the City’s floodplain protection goals. The owner expressed interest, as the parcel is currently listed for sale.
A second property (Nona Springs) contains exceptional ecological value, including a natural spring, wetlands, and potential archaeological significance. The owner expressed interest in a potential trade and has shown limited interest in a direct sale.
In addition to these responses, two new parcels surfaced following the launch of the City’s Land Acquisition webpage, with owners proactively contacting the City to express interest. These parcels were not part of the original 35 evaluated properties, but exhibit strong ecological characteristics that may warrant inclusion on the acquisition list.
The first parcel (PID 0944071307, owner William Burke) consists of approximately 90% wetlands, with a willow and red maple canopy and little to no invasive species observed. Field conditions indicate a high‑quality, undisturbed wetland system that is hydrologically connected to the Myakkahatchee Creek corridor.
The second parcel (Andy McDonald) consists of approximately 100% wetlands and is hydrologically connected to an existing ditch and canal system that functions as part of the City’s stormwater network. Preservation of this parcel would provide environmental and stormwater benefits, as any development would require major alteration of wetlands.
These two newly identified parcels represent willing sellers, high‑value wetland systems, and strong hydrologic connectivity to existing conservation and stormwater infrastructure. Including them on the acquisition list would allow staff to evaluate them alongside previously approved parcels and determine their suitability for long‑term conservation.
The City Commission may consider two approaches for advancing the Environmental Land Acquisition Program. Option 1 would expand the acquisition list to include two additional parcels with potential willing sellers. Option 2 would proceed only with the previously approved parcels on the existing acquisition list. The approach selected by the Commission will guide staff in prioritizing negotiations, appraisals, and future grant applications.
The following provides a chronological order of events regarding the North Port Environmental Acquisition Program:
Ø December 9, 2025: Natural Resources staff presented 35 identified properties of interest to the City Commission. The Commission directed the City Manager and City staff to proceed with the acquisition process, prioritizing parcels based on their environmental ratings.
Ø March 17, 2026: The North Port Communications Division launched the Land Acquisition webpage on the City’s website.
Ø April 27, 2026: Natural Resources Division staff conducted outreach to the first 10 property owners on the acquisition list, and two homeowners responded with interest.
Ø June 23, 2026: Staff sent a second batch of certified mail letters to the eight property owners who had not responded to initial outreach efforts.
Strategic Plan
Environmental Resiliency & Sustainability
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $2,500,000.00 is allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, account number 115-2755-537-6100, Project NR26PA, Environmentally Sensitive Property Acquisition.
Actual expenditures will be determined based on the willing seller and the purchase price of each property.
Additional financial support may be pursued via grants and/or coordination with the Public Works Department, if applicable, depending on the specifics and location of the parcels.
Procurement
Property acquisition will follow City Commission Policy 2023-01 and the City’s Procurement Code.
Attachments:
1. Presentation
Prepared by: Stefan Kalev, Natural Resources Manager, Development Services
Shanell Bosch, Environmental Planner, Development Services
Lori Barnes, AICP, CPM, Development Services Deputy Director
Department Director: Alaina Ray, AICP, Development Services Director