The Crystal Lake Preserve is located in the Fairway Hills neighborhood in Timacuan, and is bordered by Musago Run and Teton Street. The history of the 40-acre property began back in 1999, when the City of Lake Mary approved a preliminary plan to develop the heavily wooded tract for residential use.
That plan was never finalized and the property was subsequently purchased by long time Lake Mary residents Darryl and Betty Leidigh. The Leidigh's purchased the property to preserve it, and subsequently donated it to the City of Lake Mary through a conditional deed containing certain obligations. What followed was a decade of deliberation, ending in the establishment of a Foundation to maintain and preserve the property. A brief history of the property is provided below, in chronological order:
1999
The City Commission approved a Preliminary Subdivision Plan for residential development of
the subject property.
December 2000
1. Darryl and Betty Leidigh purchase the 40 acre Crystal Lake Preserve from the developer.
2. The City approved a Special Warranty Deed, transferring the ownership of the Crystal Lake
Preserve from the Leidigh's to the City. The deed requires the City to undertake the following:
1) to construct a maintenance/educational building; 2) construct nature trails; 3) install bird
blinds, feeders and houses; 4) improve wildlife and native plant habitat; 5) construct a shelter
for wildlife education classes; 6) recruit volunteers to assist in property maintenance; 7) fence
property; 8) establish guidelines for use of property by groups and individual.
January 2002
The City approved Resolution 671, which approved a list of permitted uses for the subject property, consistent with Chapter 162 of the City’s Code of Ordinances.
October 2005
Concerned about the fact that the city had been unable to fulfill the conditions of the deed, Darryl and Betty Leidigh create the Crystal Lake Preserve, Inc., a Florida nonprofit corporation. The intent of Crystal Lake Preserve, Inc. was to own and manage the Crystal Lake Preserve for the purposes of conservation and environmental education.
October 2006
The City revised the future land use designation from Low Density Residential and Conservation to Public/Semi-Public and Conservation. The revision in the land use designation ensures that the subject property may not be utilized for residential development.
October 2008
In an October 2008 workshop, the City Commission directed staff to begin the process of returning the ownership of the Preserve to the Leidighs, via the Crystal Lake Preserve, Inc. and to develop a PUD for the subject property. This direction was based upon the determination that the Leidighs and the Crystal Lake Preserve were better equipped than the City to manage the Preserve and educate the public. Staff developed a Preliminary/Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the Preserve consisting of the master plan and the developer’s commitment agreement. These documents established the intent of the Preserve and identified the measures that limit and mitigate impact upon the surrounding area of Timacuan.
December 2008
The applicant (the City of Lake Mary) requested approval of a Preliminary/Final Planned Unit
Development (PUD), in order to pursue a wildlife preserve and conservation site.
January 2009
A committee consisting of the City of Lake Mary, the Leidigh family (representing the Foundation) and the Timacuan HOA is formed and holds its first meeting on January 22, 2009. Discussion at the meeting included:
1. What is the difference between a preserve and a park?
2. Parking is defined as what?
3. Committee wants a tour of preserve. Take pictures and put on Timacuan website.
4. Do we need to consider fencing or gate?
6. How many visitors? Buses?
7. Why do we have to do anything?
There were several additional meetings and discussions, the objective of which was to arrive at a conclusion on the use of the Preserve that would be acceptable to all parties.
July 2009
Information was shared with affected residents, resulting in some concerns and misconceptions about what was going to be done. Lake Mary City Planner Gary Schindler responds to emails and calls from residents on behalf of the city and the committee:
"Dear Friends,
Thank you for your emails expressing concern regarding the Crystal Lake Preserve; however, there seems to be some confusion regarding the proposed use of the 40-acre parcel. The City is working with Crystal Lake Preserve, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation, and the Timacuan Subdivision HOA to preserve the majority of the property in its natural state. It is the City’s intent to deed this property to the Crystal Lake Preserve Incorporated, which has been set up to preserve the flora/fauna of the site and for educational purposes.
The City has already revised the future land use designation from residential to Public/Semi-public, to better protect the property from development. At this point, the City is in the process of revising the zoning to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The PUD zoning designation allows maximum flexibility to use the subject property for conservation and educational purposes, while creating only minimal impact upon the residents of Timacuan.
While it is true that an on-site parking area will be designated, it is to be unpaved, will require minimal clearing, if any, and will be only large enough to accommodate a small number of vehicles.
The first reading of this item by the City of Lake Mary City Commission will be Thursday, August 20, 2009, at 7 pm. I invite each of you to come and participate in the process. If you have any questions concerning this matter or if you’d like to review the plans and associated documents in advance of the City Commission Meeting, please contact me at 497-585-1442.
Once again, I want to assure you that it is the City’s intent to preserve this property for conservation and educational purposes.
Sincerely,
Gary M. Schindler
City Planner"
October 15, 2009
A Memorandum was issued by the Lake Mary Community Development Department recommending that the land be conveyed to the Leidigh's.
"Community Development Department
TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Gary Schindler, City Planner
VIA: John C. Litton, City Manager
SUBJECT: Conveyance of Crystal Lake Preserve to Crystal Lake Preserve, Inc.
BACKGROUND: On September 3, 2009, the City Commission approved Ordinance No. 1330, which established the PUD zoning category for the Crystal Lake Preserve, a 40 +/-acre property located on West Crystal Lake and east and south of the Timacuan Subdivision. The Commission also adopted a developer’s agreement as part of the PUD approval.
As you may recall, the final step in this process is for the City to convey the Crystal Lake Preserve to the Crystal Lake Preserve, Inc., identified as the “Foundation” in the adopted developer’s agreement. Mr. William Roy, the attorney for the “Foundation”, has prepared a quit claim deed for the conveyance of the subject property. The “Foundation” would then own and maintain the Subject Property in accordance with the terms specified in the developer’s agreement.
DISPOSiTION: Staff recommends the City Commission approve the attached ordinance regarding conveying the subject parcel. "
December 2009-January 2010
The ordinance was approved by the City Commission and the property transferred to the Crystal Lake Preserve Foundation. The foundation has initiated the steps necessary to fulfill the terms of the agreement, included widening the firebreak between the preserve and the Timacuan homes, the surveying of the property and the installation of a six foot, green vinyl coated chain link fence along the perimeter of the property. The fence will be set back 10 feet from the property line and screened by natural growth. An example of the fence is exhibited following this paragraph. The foundation has agreed to keep the Timacuan HOA and in turn the affected residents informed as the implementation of the plan for the preserve continues.
To review the documentation referenced in this summary, click here to open inclusive PDF file.
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