AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Meeting Date: October 11, 2010

From: Jay M. Evans, City Manager

Subject: Resolution authorizing the execution of a Vacant Land Contract with Hal Lyons and Assignee(s) for the sale of 75 acres on CR 470

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends declining the Vacant Land Contract offer from Hal Lyons and Assignee(s) for the sale of the 75 acres on CR 470.

Analysis:

The City Commission authorized staff to move forward with the process of marketing and selling 75 acres of City-owned land south of CR 470, east of Florida’s Turnpike and west of CR-33 on January 14, 2008. The zoning for this parcel was changed from City P (Public) to City PUD (Planned Unit Development) in May 2008. The intent of the sale was to promote industrial development in this area. Since that time the site has been marketed by the City’s Economic Development Department.

Hal Lyons and Assignee(s) have submitted a contract to the City for this site with an offer of $1,125,000.00 ($15,000.00 per acre). The intended use of the land is to construct and operate a RV park. The buyer has asked for several contingencies including:

1. Provide land use for an RV park

2. Allow Density for a minimum of 10 RV units per acre

3. Unrestrict the 25 acres on the front east side of the property for commercial use

4. Indentify availability of City water and sewer (gravity) lines

5. No impact fees assessed for construction

6. Allow advertisement on City-owned land adjacent to the Turnpike to promote RV park and City of Leesburg

Staff does not believe an RV park is the best use for this parcel. The City is in the process of planning the future of the property, which should include job-generating industrial projects that will be a better use of the subject 75 acres. In addition, industrial uses on the City’s adjacent property will be incompatible with a proposed R.V. park.

Options:

1. Approve the Vacant Land Contract with Hal Lyons and Assignee(s);

2. Do not approve the Vacant Land Contract with Hal Lyons and Assignee(s); or

2. Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate

Fiscal Impact:

If the City declines the offer, the City will forego the immediate cash benefit of $1,125,000 in favor of job creation and property tax revenue from future industrial projects. If the City accepts the offer, proceeds of $1,125,000 will be realized.

Submission Date and Time: 10/8/2010 5:19 PM____

Department: __Administration_________

Prepared by: __Jay Evans_____________

Attachments: Yes _X___ No ______

Advertised: ____Not Required ______

Dates: __________________________

Attorney Review : Yes___ No ____

_________________________________

Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed by: Dept. Head ________

Finance Dept. ________JB________

Deputy C.M. ___________________

Submitted by:

City Manager ___________________

Account No. _________________

Project No. ___________________

WF No. ______________________

Budget ______________________

Available _____________________

RESOLUTION NO._______________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE A VACANT LAND CONTRACT WITH HAL LYONS AND ASSIGNEE(S) FOR THE SALE OF 75 ACRES LOCATED ON CR 470; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

THAT the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute a Vacant Land Contract with Hal Lyons and Assignee(s) whose address is PO Box 1448 Bushnell, Florida 33513 for the sale of 75 acres located south of CR 470, east of Florida’s Turnpike and west of CR-33

THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the 11^th day of October, 2010.

__________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

__________________________

City Clerk