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CCLAAC Minutes 04/01/2026 (Draft) April 1, 2026 1 MINUTES OF THE CONSERVATION COLLIER LAND ACQUISITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Naples, Florida, April 1, 2026 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: Rhys Watkins Gary Bromley John Courtright Nick Pearson Austin Howell Oriany Brito Christopher Satter Kaylyn Glenn ALSO PRESENT: Summer Araque, Environmental Supervisor, Conservation Collier Melissa Hennig, Environmental Specialist, I Sally Ashkar, Assistant County Attorney Jamie Cook, Director of Development Review Matthew Denison, Manager, Conservation Collier Environmental Manager April 1, 2026 2 1. Roll Call Chair Lenhard called the meeting to order at 9:00AM. Roll call was taken and a quorum was established with 6 Members present. The Committee welcomed Kaylyn Glenn as a new Member. A. Approval of CCLAAC Members attending the meeting remotely All Members were present in the conference room. 2. Approval of Agenda Mr. Howell moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Mr. Courtright. Carried unanimously 6 – 0. Mr. Bromley arrived at 9:02am and a quorum of 7 was present. 3. Approval of the March 4, 2026 Meeting Minutes Mr. Howell moved to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2026 meeting subject to changing the language under Item 8, second bullet point from “She is authoring an article for Gulfshore Life magazine on Conservation Collier for an upcoming edition focusing on the environment” to “She is featured in an article for Gulfshore Life magazine regarding her volunteer work with Conservation Collier in an upcoming edition focusing on the environment.” Second by Mr. Courtright. Carried unanimously 6 – 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.conservationcoller.com for information purposes. The report will be updated monthly (last updated 3/25/26) 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. Hennig presented the PowerPoint “Conservation Collier Acquisition Update – April 1, 2026” for information purposes. She noted: • A-List properties are in “Offers Made”; “Appraisal Bid Received and Awaiting Purchase Order”, or Getting Bid for Appraisal status. • Robert H. Gore Preserve – 12 offers accepted. • Panther Walk Preserve – 3 offers accepted. • Winchester Head – 2 offers accepted. • Others offers accepted – Golden Land Partners, Bennett, HK Investments, Sarry Trust, Wilson, North Naples Church and Nichols. • The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the Program’s acquisition ranking list as recommended by the Committee with only the Sending Lands portion for the property formerly known as the “Hussey Property” approved even though the Committee recommended in February the Receiving Lands be included in the acquisition. • The owner of Wildflowerz offered the property to the County at a price of $12M which is significantly above the appraised value. The County’s offer is valid for 30 days and within 6 months the appraisal can be recertified. After 6 months, the landowner would be required to obtain a new appraisal at their expense. April 1, 2026 3 Ms. Brito and Ms. Glenn arrived at 9:08am and a quorum of 9 was present. 5. New Business A. Initial Criteria Screening Reports (ICSRs) and Rankings 1. North Belle Meade TPMA a. Brugger Ms. Hennig presented the PowerPoint and report “Conservation Collier Initial Criteria Screening Report – Brugger Trust, April 1, 2026.” The parcel is located on Kam Luck Drive, 4.80 acres and scored 205 out of 400. The property has a County Property Appraiser Assessed value of $69,600. Staff recommends the parcel be placed on the A-List for acquisition. Speaker Brad Cornell, Audubon of Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades recommended the properties (Brugger and Rullo) be placed on the A-List for acquisition given they are adjacent to conservation easements in the Rural Fringe Mixed Use District. Mr. Courtright moved to place the application on the A-List for acquisition. Second by Mr. Bromley. Carried unanimously 9 – 0. b. Rullo Ms. Hennig presented the PowerPoint and report “Conservation Collier Initial Criteria Screening Report – Rullo, April 1, 2026.” The parcel is located in the North Belle Meade TPMA, 4.80 acres and scored 205 out of 400. The property has a County Property Appraiser Assessed value of $69,600. Staff recommends the parcel be placed on the A-List for acquisition. Mr. Courtright moved to place the application on the A-List for acquisition. Second by Mr. Bromley. Carried unanimously 9 – 0. 2. Smitts - Sabal Palm Rd. Orange Grove Mr. Denison presented the PowerPoint and report “Conservation Collier Initial Criteria Screening Report – Smitts, April 1, 2026.” He noted: • The parcel is located on Sabal Palm Road, 166.63 acres and scored 205 out of 400. • The property has a 2023 listing price of $28,000,000 and a County Property Appraiser Assessed value of $2,961,023. • Turrell, Hall and Assoc., Inc. prepared a report on the property “Environmental Supplement 341 Sabal Palm Road” which is available for review. • Staff recommends the parcel be placed on the C-List for acquisition. • The site is substantially disturbed from historic agriculture uses with 107 acres utilized as a citrus grove and 22 acres of native plant habitat. • A Phase I and Phase II Environmental Study would be required as part of the acquisition. • One option for the use of the property would be cattle grazing. During Committee discussion it was noted: • Staff recommends the C-List due to the minimal amount of natural areas, concerns over the cost of restoration and management challenges. • The application was filed as the result of a hearing for a rezone of the property from Sending Lands to development of 450 homes on the parcel. Given the public comment and 2 April 1, 2026 4 Commissioners concern on allowing the rezone, the BCC recommended the owner explore the feasibility of selling the property to Conservation Collier and continued the item. • An estimate for the costs of restoration has not been developed and the Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments would be undertaken at the expense of the County. If the County pursues the acquisition and the owner withdraws, the owner would be responsible for a partial cost of the Phase II report. • Conservation Collier has never acquired property with the intended use of cattle grazing. Speaker Brad Cornell, Audubon of Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades reported the rezone application requires a super majority vote of the BCC who continued the item. The property is designated Sending Lands, surrounded by conservation lands and is in the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The acquisition would allow for opportunities to restore flow ways in the area providing a benefit to the public. Even with its disturbed condition it would support ecological value if preserved. There may be long term opportunities for partnerships, especially for flow way restoration. He does not support Staff’s recommendation for the property being placed on the C-List and recommends the property be placed on the A-list for acquisition. During Committee discussion it was noted: • It may be beneficial to place the property on the B-List for acquisition to allow time to evaluate the application further including any partnerships available and the costs of restoration. • The A-List ranking should be considered as the property provides an opportunity for restoration which would be beneficial to the public in the long run given its location and risk of development. • The cost of the acquisition is unknown however the parcel would be appraised as agriculture land if the County moves forward. • The cost of acquiring the property and the potential impact on the Program’s budget is a concern. • Concern if consideration of the application is delayed, the property may be approved for a rezone given only 1 Commissioner needs to change his mind as the item has been continued by the BCC and will be heard again. • The recent changes to the Ordinance governing the program may allow consideration of the restoration costs in the offer made to the owner. • Ranking the property on the A-List would still allow ample time for the County to determine any issues with the property and the feasibility of acquiring it. Chair Lenhard suggested the application be tabled to the May meeting to allow time to investigate any issues raised (restoration costs, partnership opportunities, impacts on the budget, etc.) to ensure that it is thoroughly vetted before the Committee makes a recommendation. Other Members noted the property is subject to a rezone application and the item was continued by the BCC and may be heard in April and delaying a decision may not be prudent given further investigation will occur as part of the process. Staff noted even if the item is tabled to the May meeting, identifying any partnerships available would be problematic over a 30 day timeframe. Speaker April 1, 2026 5 Brad Cornell, Audubon of Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades noted any potential partners could not be disclosed but parties are interested in the Sending Lands aspect of the property with the extent of participation unknown at this time. He expressed concern the rezone application was continued by the BCC and only 1 member would need to change his stance on the property which may be influenced by a delay in Conservation Collier acting on the proposed acquisition. Mr. Courtright moved to place the application on the A-List for acquisition with emphasis on determining the costs of site restoration and any partners available in the endeavor. Second by Mr. Howell. During discussion, it was noted any changes in the application would require another review by the Committee. Ms. Brito expressed concern on the unknown impacts on the Program’s acquisition budget given the preliminary stage of the application. Motion carried 8 “yes” – 1 “no.” Ms. Brito voted “no.” The Committee noted the following in regard to the acquisition: 1. It would be beneficial to determine the scope and cost of the restoration work required for the property and any partners available to participate in the activity. 2. Concern on potential Staffing issues given the several large parcels of land already held by the Program. 3. An analysis of the potential acquisition’s impacts on the Program’s budget would be a prudent undertaking. 4. Acquiring the property is beneficial given its connectivity to other conservation areas. 3. Dombrowski -Cycle 12B list – old NGGE Scrub TPMA Ms. Hennig presented the PowerPoint and report “Conservation Collier Initial Criteria Screening Report – Dombrowski, April 1, 2026.” The parcel is located on 52nd Ave NE, 1.14 acres and scored 188 out of 400. The property has a County Property Appraiser Assessed value of $40,698. Staff recommends the parcel be placed on the C-List for acquisition as it comprised of 100 percent wetlands, is small in acreage and isolated. Speaker Brad Cornell, Audubon of Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades supported Staff’s recommendation. During Committee discussion it was noted properties on both sides 2 properties away from the parcel are developed and given it is comprised of 100 percent wetland, the risk of development is low. Mr. Howell moved to place the application on the C-List for acquisition. Second by Mr. Satter. Carried unanimously 9 – 0. B. Conservation Collier Annual Report Continued to the May meeting 6. Subcommittee Reports April 1, 2026 6 A. Lands Evaluation & Management – Chair, Nick Pearson – last meeting March 20, 2026 - Next meeting - TBD 2026. B. Outreach – Chair, John Courtright – Last meeting April 23, 2025, Next Meeting, April 15, 2026 C. Ordinance Policy and Rules – Chair, Michele Lenhard - Last meeting December 18, 2023 7. Staff Communications to Committee A. Miscellaneous None B. Upcoming Events Ms. Araque reported the following events are upcoming: • April 11 - Burrow Buddies Outreach on Marco Island. • April 18 – Earth Day at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida • April 24 – Guided Birding Hike at Pepper Ranch C. BCC Items Related to Conservation Collier 1. Previously Heard a. 3/10/2026 - Seminole Gulf Railway Corridor Purchase - Approved b. 3/24/2026 - January and February AAL - Approved; Echevarria (I-75 and Everglades) Purchase Agreement - Approved 2. Upcoming a. 4/14/2026 - Symphony Properties IMP; Purchase Agreements for 4 parcels in Gore; Third Amendment to Symphony Properties Purchase Agreement to extend remediation period b. 4/28/2026 -Purchase Agreements for 7 parcels (1 parcel in Nancy Payton TPMA, 1 parcel in Brewers Landing TPMA, 2 parcels in Panther Walk, and 3 parcels in Gore); Purchase Agreement for Tran parcel in I- 75 and Everglades TPMA; FWC IPMS Funding Assistance for invasive plant removal. 8. Chair/Committee Member Comments Ms. Lenhard recommended the Members watch the Board of County Commissioners March 24th meeting video on Conservation Collier items as there was discussion on possible revisions to the Program’s Ordinance. Ms. Cook noted the discussion centered on the property ranking and acquisition aspects of the Program, pausing the purchase of parcels. 9. Public General Comments Brad Cornell, Audubon of Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades noted the Hussey parcel acquired by the County is 1,000 acres and questioned the rationale for selling it. The Receiving Lands portion contains valuable ecological areas including harboring of Red Cockaded Woodpeckers and Florida Panthers. There may still be opportunities to discuss the property with the BCC. Additionally, one Commissioner expressed concern on purchases of small acreage parcels. The benefits of acquiring these parcels, including April 1, 2026 7 those in multi parcel projects need to be emphasized given the important habitat on the individual parcels on Marco Island and assembling small parcels into a larger block of lands such as Winchester Head. 10. Staff Comments None 11. Next Meeting – May 6, 2026 There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 10:36am. Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee _________________________________ Michele Lenhard, Chair These minutes approved by the Committee on________________ as presented_______ or as amended ___________.