06/04/1984 - Special
Parks and Recreation board
special Meeting
Monday, June 4, 1904
.f
A special Parks and Recreation Board meeting was called for Monday, June 4th,
1984 at the site of the "Tennis Court Property" located immediately north of the
Gallery Restaurant on Sand Key. Due to late notice and to other previous commit-
ments, a quorum was not present in that only three members were able to attend.
Specifically, these members included Co-Chairperson Diann Schultz, Co-Chairperson
Charles Wood and Mr. Murray Fuchs. Also in attendance was Mr. Ream Filson.
Mr. Wilson advised those members present that the current owner of the
tennis court property would consider an offer to purchase from the City. Mr.
Wilson explained that the City's position is that the property contains no further
development rights as they had previously been transferred. Further, he stated
that the owner feels development rights do exist and that he is prepared to go
to court. However, in view of these positions, the owner has expressed an interest
in receiving an offer for the property from the City. Mr. Wilson read a letter
from the attorney concerning this matter. Also, a preliminary site plan as to
how the owner would like to develop the property with 21 units was shown.
Mr. Wilson told members that his first recommendation was to purchase land
for active recreation on the Bayside of Sand Key, preferably adjacent to the cur-
rently City owned property by the Toll. Booth. However, it does not appear that
property is available in this area.
The tennis court property would be of value for limited active recreation or
passive recreation and installation of beach type vegetation. He said that park
impact fees are or will shortly be available for the purchase and that a restriction
is that these fees must be expended on Sand Key. Further, the majority portion of
the fees must be expended for land acquisition. The fees shouldn't be spent for
the sake of spending, but options of land acquisition of recreation development
are limited on Sand Key. He expressed a recommendation that the City might offer
as much as $300,000 for the property which is far below the market value. The
offer would be based on the facts that the property is small in size which limits
development, heavy maintenance responsibilities due to blowing sand, and the
City's position that development rights do not exist on the property.
Mrs. Schultz provided additional information to members and explained documents
obtained which support the City's position of no development rights being available.
Further, she informed members that the property was purchased for approximately
L'
$135,000 in 1982. She stated this was an approximate figure since it was based
on stamps. Further, Mrs. Schultz said the property is currently appraised on the
tax rolls at $677,000.
Based on this information, Mrs. Schultz felt that the City might offer a maxi-
mum of $200,000 for the property which would take into consideration the $135,000
purchase price in 1962 along with escalation.
Mr. Wilson also informed members that another viable project for Sand Key
could be the construction of bicycle trails along each side of Gulf Blvd. leading
to the County's new park by the Toll Booth. If this was accomplished, the tennis
ka,`• court property could possibly be used as a support facility for bicycles. Mrs.
Schultz indicated that this might be a good idea.
t.
fr
Members discussed the matter in detail,. Mr. Wood felt that the City shouldn't
be'spending money 'Just for the sake of spending. lie said the property was small
and that annual maintenance costs would be extremely high. He questioned whether
debelopment would justify this expenditure. Mr. Fuchs'concurred with the feelings
of Mr. Wood. However, after discussion, members present recommended in favor of
'.City offering a maximum of $200,000 for the
_ ty, as Mrs. Schultz had pre--
,,f . . proper
viously stated,.taking,into consideration the previous purchase price and esca-'
lation.
The meeting began at 7:30 p.m. and ended at approximately-8:30 p.m.'
(W TA
.1w ??i ?i S l'.'s ='.<•.';e.?.a r`-:?.'.'.F: tix, s '. t ' ...t. , _ ibiia
'?`? fait: •1''•.,3.