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Northeast Corridor Greenway Acquisition. City Council Workshop November 12, 2013. Presentation Outline. Background: Northeast Corridor Projects Action Plan Project Location Project Benefits Current Proposal: Consultant Selection Process Feasibility Study Project Objective Next Steps:.
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Northeast Corridor Greenway Acquisition City Council Workshop November 12, 2013
Presentation Outline Background: • Northeast Corridor Projects Action Plan • Project Location • Project Benefits Current Proposal: • Consultant Selection Process • Feasibility Study • Project Objective Next Steps:
Northeast Palm Coast CorridorGreenway Acquisition • Unique Value of Lands • Lands are in unique position between Flagler County conservation easement lands and SJRWMD lands providing opportunity for creating wetland mitigation credits for city transportation projects. • City control of Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) - Critical component in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the City’s community rating. Project Site
Northeast Palm Coast CorridorGreenway Acquisition • 42 acres of unpermitted wetland impacts currently out of compliance. Restoration plan accepted by SJRWMD. • South Tract: 159.64 ac. • Wetlands: 95.55 ac. (60%) total area • 14.17 ac. impacted • Uplands: 64.09 ac. (40%) total area • Floodplain Comp: 8.317 ac. Upland • North Tract: 128.69 ac. • Wetlands: 73.00 ac. (57%) total area • 25.83 ac. impacted • Uplands: 55.69 ac. (43%) total area • Wetland impacts will require restoration/alternative permitting SJRWMD Lands OKR Extension Flagler County Lands
Northeast Palm Coast CorridorGreenway Acquisition Benefits • Primary Benefits of Land Purchases • Cost Savings & Timing – Ability to avoid eminent domain proceedings. Ability to keep projects moving forward with the Interchange project schedule. • Floodplain Compensation – Land necessary for completion of Northeast Corridor projects. • City control of Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) - Critical component in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the City’s community rating that directly affects flood insurance rates. • Potential Additional Benefits of Land Purchase • Wetland Mitigation – Potential to create mitigation credits for use of transportation and other city projects in lieu of purchasing mitigation credits from a wetland mitigation bank. • Recreational Uses - Investigate passive recreational uses of the site to expand connectivity to other lands to expand public uses. • Water Quality - Benefits water quality in the Pellicer Creek Basin • Habitat - Expands the existing regional conservation corridor and ecological significance due to the unique linkage to conservation areas to the north and south.
Northeast Corridor Greenway Acquisition(NCGA) • Consultant Selection Process: • Letter of Interest (LOI) Released - Three firms contracted for Environmental and Engineering Services (RFP-CM-08-05) were invited to the selection process. All firms are highly qualified in conducting wetland assessments, mitigation planning and designing, and listed species assessments. • Jones Edmunds & Associates • Stantec • Atkins • Project Objective – Produce a feasibility study to guide the City on project costs and timing of design, permitting, monitoring and overall management of the NCGA with a cost-benefit analysis in-mind. • Cost of Services - $35,278.00
Northeast Corridor Greenway Acquisition(NCGA) • Next Steps: • Feasibility Study completion date is targeted for April 2014. • Provide City Council a presentation of study findings. • If findings are favorable, design and permitting services will be secured. Target completion date for permitting is July 2015.