Heron Bay Golf Club {Sharon Aron Baron}
By Bryan Boggiano
The city commission will address a fast-approaching deadline and a multimillion-dollar question at its next meeting: Do we purchase part of the Heron Bay Golf Course, or do we refuse and let East Coast Developers take over the land?
The commission holds its second and final reading on purchasing 65 acres of the former golf course from North Springs Improvement District on Sept. 21, starting at 6 p.m.
On Sept. 14, the NSID Board of Directors approved selling the land to East Coast unless the city commission approved their purchase by Sept. 24.
The ball is now in Parkland’s court.
Under the contract, Parkland would pay $25,410,000 to purchase the property. The city must pay $250,000 by Sept. 24.
Even though about 30 percent of the land lies within Coral Springs, there is no formal agreement in place that Coral Springs would reimburse the city for their share of the land, or about $7 million.
If the commission ratifies the contract, there would be a 90-day investigative period during which they may void the contract and receive the original deposit back. The investigative period increased from 60 to 90 days following the first reading.
The deposit is non-refundable following the investigative period.
The costs come as Parkland recruited two outside firms to perform property appraisals, which the city requires for properties with a purchase price greater than $500,000.
Atlantic Blue Consulting, Inc. appraised the property’s “as is” value as $19,510,000. The maximum-use value at $30,630,000.
An appraisal from Aucamp, Dellenback, and Whitney appraised it for around $13 million, while the maximum-use value at $34,850,000.
As part of the contract, NSID would provide two non-exclusive pedestrian and vehicle access easements at the west end of Pine Trails and on the parcels of land immediately west of Nob Hill Road.
At the contract’s closing, the litigation-styled Citizens Against Golf Course Redevelopment, Inc. (CAGRI) vs. North Springs Improvement District would be a permitted exception.
That lawsuit seeks to halt the development of the former Heron Bay Golf Course until a restrictive covenant expires in 2027.
According to city documents, CAGRI recently filed a motion for notice of voluntary dismissal without prejudice, which means the case would be dismissed temporarily.
Whether the city commission ultimately approves the contract is still uncertain.
At their Aug. 29 meeting, the city commission approved the contract by a 3-2 vote. Mayor Rich Walker and Commissioners Simeon Brier and Jordan Isrow voted in favor.
Vice Mayor Ken Cutler and Commissioner Bob Mayersohn both opposed the land acquisition.
On the second reading, at least four commission members must vote in favor.
The commission will also consider a companion item that would permit DRMP, Inc., to provide survey and mapping services for the Heron Bay Project for $86,650.
Author Profile
- A University of Florida journalism graduate, Bryan plans to pursue geosciences at Florida International University for his master's. He has a strong interest in weather, entertainment, and journalism.
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