The Situation
After 15 years of fighting to keep the 4,000 acre Edison Farms property, located across I-75 from the Brooks, free of development and the CR951 roadway, we have a real opportunity to see it acquired for permanent conservation.
On Tuesday morning at 9:30 at the Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main St., downtown Fort Myers, the Lee County Commissioners will make their decision on the current opportunity to purchase the Edison Farms property.
ECCL’s Stance
The entire property known as Edison Farms should be purchased for conservation. We need you to contact decision-makers as soon as possible to show support for purchasing the entire property of Edison Farms well before Tuesday, June 20, when Commissioners will vote on a course of action.
[trx_call_to_action title=”What You Can Do” description=”Contact commissioners in support of obtaining the entire Edison Farms property in perpetuity. You may also attend the meeting and speak before the Commissioners.” style=”2″ align=”left” accent=”yes” custom=”no” link=”mailto:Dist1@leegov.com,Dist2@leegov.com,Dist3@leegov.com,Dist4@leegov.com,Dist5@leegov.com?BCC=webmaster@esterofl.org&Subject=I%20support%20the%20permanent%20acquisition%20of%20the%20entire%20Edison%20Farms%20property%20by%20Lee%20County.&Body=As%20a%20Lee%20County%20resident%20I%20urge%20you%20to%20obtain%20and%20protect%20the%20entire%20property%20known%20as%20Edison%20Farms%20as%20part%20of%20the%20Lee%20County%20Conservation%202020%20Program.%20These%20wetlands%20are%20critical%20to%20the%20water%20supply%2C%20flooding%20control%2C%20and%20wildlife%20habitats%20of%20our%20area.” link_caption=”Send a Message” top=”inherit” bottom=”inherit” left=”inherit” right=”inherit”][/trx_call_to_action]
We ask you to attend the meeting, or contact Commissioners before the meeting with your support of the purchase.
When:
9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 20
Where:
Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main St., downtown Fort Myers
Background
The property known as Edison Farms is adjacent to Hidden Cypress Preserve–a Conservation 20/20 preserve–and lands maintained by the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW). County commissioners have made preserving Edison Farms a top legislative priority for the past two years and have made prior attempts to acquire the property as a Conservation 20/20 site.
During its January 24, 2017, regular meeting, the Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to again explore the possibility of acquiring Edison Farms. County staff responded to Land Solutions’ call for offers issued on January 16, 2017, and has been corresponding with the broker since that time.
In addition, the County has obtained three appraisals from state certified real estate appraisers. The resulting valuations are $35,160,000; $37,000,000; and $42,435,000. The property seller (Investor’s Warranty of America) has represented through Land Solutions, Inc., that it will convey the property to Lee County under the terms specified in Option 2 below.
Options:
- Do nothing more at this time;
- Agree to Seller’s terms of $49,000,000 plus documentary stamps and title insurance costs (estimated to be approximately $450,000); no modifications to existing Oil, Gas & Mineral rights (below 140′ with ingress/egress held by Collier Land and Cattle Corp. and Barron Collier Resources, LLC); and close no later than October 30, 2017 (this action requires an affirmative vote of 4 Commissioners per Section 125.355, Florida Statutes);
- Authorize staff to present an offer to purchase – a) Highest appraised value – sale price of $42,435,000 would ultimately require 4 votes (“extraordinary vote” per Section 125.355, Florida Statutes) b) Average appraised value (or less) – sale price up to $38,198,333 would ultimately require 3 affirmative votes.
The county agenda is available here.
For 15 years residents of Estero have been fighting to keep the 4,000 acre Edison Farms property, located across I-75 from the Brooks, free of development and the CR951 roadway, we have a real opportunity to see it acquired for permanent conservation.
Unable to Attend?
If you are unable to make the meeting we urge you to send your comments to the Lee County Commissioners by clicking the link below and modifying our message of support as you please.
[trx_button type=”square” style=”filled” style_color=”original” size=”large” icon=”icon-mail” align=”center” link=”mailto:Dist1@leegov.com,Dist2@leegov.com,Dist3@leegov.com,Dist4@leegov.com,Dist5@leegov.com?BCC=webmaster@esterofl.org&Subject=I%20support%20the%20permanent%20acquisition%20of%20the%20entire%20Edison%20Farms%20property%20by%20Lee%20County.&Body=As%20a%20Lee%20County%20resident%20I%20urge%20you%20to%20obtain%20and%20protect%20the%20entire%20property%20known%20as%20Edison%20Farms%20as%20part%20of%20the%20Lee%20County%20Conservation%202020%20Program.%20These%20wetlands%20are%20critical%20to%20the%20water%20supply%2C%20flooding%20control%2C%20and%20wildlife%20habitats%20of%20our%20area.” popup=”no” top=”inherit” bottom=”inherit” left=”inherit” right=”inherit”]Send a Message[/trx_button]
If the button does not work on your device,
click here.
Finally we ask you to share this message with your south Lee County friends and neighbors so that all of our community is informed about what is happening to our healthcare delivery system.
Don Eslick
Interim ECCL Chairman
Our thanks to the Village of Estero, who let us share their original message
More about Edison Farms
Edison Farms contains:
- More than 3,500 acres of vital wetlands
- Important aquifer recharge areas to restore our water supply
- Primary panther habitat that is heavily utilized by the critically endangered Florida panther
- Foraging habitat for the endangered Wood Stork and other wading birds
Edison Farms is located east of I-75 directly north of the City of Bonita Springs, in Lee County, Florida. This property has long been identified as having exceptional ecological value, as it encompasses almost 4,000 acres of vital wetlands, primary panther habitat and much more. Now, with a willing seller at hand, the public has a unique opportunity to not only add to the existing Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed, but to preserve one of the most significant pieces of remaining native environment in Southwest Florida.