CCLAAC Minutes 01/8/2025 January 8, 2025
1
MINUTES OF THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Naples, Florida, January 8, 2025
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory
Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this
date at 9:00A.M. in REGULAR SESSION at the Growth Management Department Building,
2800 North Horseshoe Drive, Naples Florida with the following members present:
CHAIR: Michele Lenhard
VICE CHAIR: Ron Clark
Gary Bromley
Rhys Watkins (Excused)
John Courtright
Nick Pearson
Austin Howell
Oriany Brito
Christopher Satter
ALSO PRESENT: Summer Araque, Environmental Supervisor, Conservation Collier
Jamie Cook, Director, Development Review Division
Sally Ashkar, Assistant County Attorney
Melissa Hennig, Environmental Specialist, I
Kathlene Drew, Administrative Support Specialist, II
Matthew Denison, Environmental Manager
January 8, 2025
2
1. Roll Call
Chair Lenhard called the meeting to order at 9:00A.M. Roll call was taken and a quorum was established
with 8 Members present.
A. Approval of CCLAAC Members attending the meeting remotely
All Members were present in the Conference Room
2. Approval of Agenda
Mr. Bromley moved to approve the Agenda subject to:
Hearing Item 5.B after Item 4B.
Hearing Item 5.A after Item 5.B
Hearing Item 4.C after Item 5.B
Second by Mr. Satter. Carried unanimously 8 – 0.
3. Approval of December 4, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Mr. Howell moved to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2024 meeting as presented. Second by Mr.
Satter. Carried unanimously 8 – 0.
4. Old Business
A. Acquisition Updates - Current Acquisition Status report updated monthly in advance of CCLAAC
meeting provided as part of meeting packet and under Acquisition News at
www.conservationcollier.com for information purposes. The report will be updated monthly (last
updated December 6, 2024 and December 20, 2024) including parcels the County has acquired to date,
offers made by the County, pending acquisitions and those properties where the owner withdrew the
application.
Ms. Araque reported:
A total of 5,050 acres has been acquired by the Program since 2004.
Cycle 10, 11A – All properties acquired.
Cycle 11B – 9 properties acquired totaling 118 acres, 1 remaining (1.14 acres).
Cycle 12A – 20 properties acquired for a total of 86 acres, 3 acquisitions for 154.3 acres pending.
Cycle 12B – 13 properties accepted for a total of 758 acres.
2024 Cycle – 3 in process totaling 1,421.5 acres.
B. Initial Criteria Screening Reports (ICSRs) and Rankings
1. Karlsson – Gordon River Greenway TPMA
Ms. Hennig presented the “Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program Initial Criteria
Screening Report Karlsson Trust.” The parcel is in the Gordon River Greenway TPMA, 0.33 acres
in size, received a score of 176 out of 400 and has an assessed value of $409,208 and an estimated
value of $750,000. She provided an update from questions posed at the previous meeting noting:
The owner is not willing to remove the construction debris on site.
He wants $1M for the property and will cap the price at this level should the appraisal yield a
greater amount.
Approvals to build a home have been obtained from State and Federal agencies.
During Committee discussion it was noted:
The estimated value is $750,000 and 1/3 of the property contains mangroves.
Staff recommends it be placed on the C-List for acquisition.
January 8, 2025
3
Mr. Courtright moved to place the parcel on the C-List for acquisition. Second by Mr. Howell.
Carried unanimously 8 – 0.
5. New Business
B. Initial Criteria Screening Reports (ICSRs) and Rankings
1. I-75 and Everglades Blvd. TPMA
Ms. Hennig presented the “Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program Initial Criteria
Screening Report I-75 and Everglades Blvd. Parcels.” The 5 parcels are in the I75 and Everglades
Blvd. TPMA as follows:
Parcel 1 - RF Berman Trust 5.0 ac.; Assessed Value $187,500; scored 206 out of 400
Parcel 2 - RF Berman Trust 159 ac.; Assessed Value $59,625; scored 183 out of 400
Parcel 3 - Andres Echavarria & Lianet Garcia 3.05 ac.; Assessed Value $80,825; scored 185
out of 400
Parcel 4 - Family Onyxx, LLC 2.73 ac.; Assessed Value $87,019; scored 183 out of 400
Parcel 5 - Miguel Diaz Morales 2.27 ac.; Assessed Value $85,125; scored 189 out of 400
Total 14.64 acres - $500,094
Four of the properties are adjacent to residential development with homes on both sides of
one of them.
There is another application for the area recently received and will be heard in February.
Staff recommends the properties be placed on the B-List for acquisition.
The following was noted by Committee Members:
Concern on the lack of potential connectivity of parcels acquired in the area given the
existing residential development.
The small, unconnected parcels provide opportunities for wildlife to utilize the areas for dens
which are beneficial to the species.
It would be beneficial to determine the appraised values of the lots and to review the
application just received by Staff before making a final decision on the acquisitions.
The parcels are in the vicinity of a potential I-75 interchange for Everglades Blvd. and could
be useful for wildlife crossings, however Staff noted a decision for the location of any
crossings would not be impacted by the location of a Conservation Collier holding as other
criteria would be a priority in the decision.
If the properties are acquired, there would be minimal management activities by Staff given
the interchange under discussion by the various parties and potential acquisition by other
agencies for use in the project.
Speaker
Brad Cornell, Audubon of Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades noted there was a
settlement agreement for I-75 where there would be no interchange constructed within 4 square
miles of State Road 29. There is emergency access to I-75 in the location already in place and the
Agencies have “flagged” this project as difficult given the wildlife habitat in the area. He
recommended the properties be placed on the A-List for acquisition due to their potential
connectivity to environmentally sensitive lands to the west.
Staff noted the Ordinance provides for a B-List property to be reconsidered in 1 year. A change in
the policy may require approval by the Board of County Commissioners either via an Ordinance
revision or a onetime item brought forth for their consideration, however they would need to confirm
the process.
January 8, 2025
4
The Committee noted it may be beneficial to continue the item to determine the options for
reconsidering a B-List property, conducting a review of the additional application received for the
area and determining the appraised value of the properties.
Mr. Howell moved to continue the item to the February 2025 meeting. Second by Mr. Courtright.
Carried unanimously 8 – 0.
2. Edwards Trust and Golden Land Partners – near Picayune
Ms. Hennig presented the “Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program Initial Criteria
Screening Report Edwards Trust and Golden Gate Partners.” The parcels are located near Picayune
as follows:
Edwards Trust: 8 parcels comprised of 65 ac.; Assessed Value $351,000; scored 225 out of
400.
Golden Gate Land Partners: 20 ac.; Assessed Value $2,000; scored 187 out of 400.
The properties are in the area of the Benfield Road realignment plans however any right of
way for the project or areas required for stormwater management are undetermined at this
point in time.
Speaker
Brad Cornell, Audubon of Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades noted the area has
been the long-term subject of conservation efforts and recommends the properties be placed on the
A-List for acquisition due to their environmental values. The Golden Gate Land Partners property
has had 2 TDR credits removed and this provides an avenue for the other 2 credits being awarded if
it is acquired by the Program. The Benfield Road relocation plans are problematic and have been
“flagged” by various agencies due to the wildlife habitat in the area.
Mr. Clark moved to place the parcel on the A-List for acquisition. Second by Mr. Bromley.
Carried unanimously 8 – 0.
A. Committee Member Applications
Ms. Araque reported there are 2 vacancies on the Committee with Michele Lenhard and Rhys Watkins
providing the necessary information to be considered for reappointment to the Committee.
Mr. Clark moved to recommend the Board of County Commissioners reappoint Michele Lenhard and
Rhys Watkins to the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee. Second by Mr.
Courtright. Carried unanimously 8 – 0.
4. Old Business
C. Gore Nature Center updates presentation
Ms. Lenhard left the meeting at 10:15am during the presentation
Ms. Araque presented the PowerPoint “Gore Nature Center 4261 40th Ave SE-Update to CCLAAC,
January 8, 2025” for information purposes noting:
Conservation Collier acquired 170 acres from the Gore family in 2018 and the purchase did not
include the building or property associated with the structure.
Since 2018, 99 additional acres in the area have been purchased by the Program.
The building was constructed in 1987 and acquired by the Cypress Cove Land Keepers in 2019
which included a 10-acre parcel.
January 8, 2025
5
Cypress Cove Land Keepers undertook many improvements to the structure including deck
work, window replacement, a new roof and renovations to the bathroom and kitchen.
The building has been utilized as a nature center and the group provides field trips for area
school children.
Conservation Collier is proposing to acquire the building and property, and recent activities
include building and septic system inspections by a private party and the County, meetings with
facilities management to review maintenance costs associated with the property, treatment for
termites, etc.
Overall, the building is in good condition with general maintenance recommended moving
forward.
The County will utilize the facility for educational opportunities including continuing the field
trip program.
An application will be filed with the building department for the change of use from residential
to commercial.
A conditional use permit will be required to allow for use of the building as a nature center
(current uses allowed are educational activities outside the building).
Portable toilets will be available on site until a building housing rest room facilities is
constructed on the property.
Future activities include improved trailhead access, continued camera monitoring of the area,
partnerships with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, etc.
6. Subcommittee Reports
A. Lands Evaluation & Management – Chair, Ron Clark – Last meeting June 5, 2024
No update necessary.
B. Outreach – Chair, John Courtright – Last meeting June 13, 2024
C. Ordinance Policy and Rules – Chair, Michele Lenhard - Last meeting December 18, 2023
No update necessary.
7. Coordinator Communications
A. Miscellaneous
None
B. Vote for Chair and Vice Chair in February (after members voted on by BCC)
C. BCC Items Related to Conservation Collier
Ms. Araque provided the following updates:
1. Previously Heard
a. 12/10/2024
Railhead Scrub Final Land Management Plan 10-Yr Update; Extension to the Memorandum of
Understanding with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation (FWCF) – It was noted the FWCF
has contributed $328,930 to date towards County acquisitions in Panther Walk Preserve.
2. Upcoming
a. 1/14/2025
Purchase Agreements – JOL Property Ventures (Panther Walk) & Fernandez (Winchester Head);
Cypress Cove Conservancy (Gore Nature Center); 2024 Active Acquisition List
January 8, 2025
6
b. 1/28/2025
Purchase Agreements – Hendrix House (I-75 TPMA); Descoteau (Gore), Fish (Panther Walk);
Barfield Burrows naming
c. 2/11/2025
Purchase Agreements – HK Investment, Van Cleef (both Marco Island)
8. Chair/Committee Member Comments
None
9. Public General Comments
None
10. Staff Comments
None
11. Next Meeting – February 5, 2025
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of
the chair at 10:40AM.
Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee
_________________________________
Michele Lenhard, Chair
These minutes approved by the Committee on________________ as presented_______ or as amended
___________.