Title
Purchase of Buffer Property (B)
Staff is requesting approval of the purchase of 10 acres of buffer property from Terrapointe, LLC, for wellfield protection.
Explanation
In March 2006, the City was contacted by a representative of the Rayonier Timber Company (dba Terrapointe, LLC). They informed staff they were selling 241 acres of land located east of the Murphree Water Plant facility and inquired whether the City would have an interest in purchasing the property. After careful consideration by staff, it was determined the City would not be interested in the entire 241 acre parcel. However, staff has recommended that it would be highly desireable to acquire a portion of the property to provide a buffer to three of the City's existing water wells located along City owned right-of-way north of NW 53rd Avenue and east of the Murphree Water Plant. The City's existing right-of-way which the wells are located in is 90' wide and does not provide adquate buffer from development to the north. It was determined that the purchase of a 150' wide strip north of the City's right-of-way will provide a buffer adequate to protect the City's wells from future development that will ultimately occur on the Rayonier property that is for sale. Fire protection is another reason to aquire this buffer. In the year 2001, wildfires threatened several wells at Murphree. In the aftermath, a meeting was held with Gainesville Fire and Rescue and Alachua County Fire Rescue staff to identify steps that could be taken to reduce the vulnerability of the wellfield. A larger cleared buffer was recommended to reduce the proximity of fuel sources to the wells.
Staff has negotiated the purchase of a strip of land 150' wide X 3000' which consists of approximately 10 acres at a purchase price of $5,000.00 per acre. Also included in the special conditions of the negotiated purchase and sale agreement is the agreement of the City to grant the seller, or their successors and a...
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