New Smyrna Beach, FL - New Smyrna Beach city commissioners are following through on the decision made by votes last November to keep property along Turnbull Creek from being developed. At their meeting earlier this week, the commissioners voted unanimously to pay $8.94 million about 152 acres of property along Turnbull Creek, south of Pioneer Trail and east of Otter Boulevard, that is known as the Turnbull Trace property.
Mayor Russ Owen said that more than 75% of voters in New Smyrna Beach approved the Turnbull Creek Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat, and Natural Areas Protection Bonds municipal referendum. He said that the City Commission has been hearing from residents about slowing down development along Turnbull Bay and Turnbull Creek Watershed.
This is the first purchase made since voters gave their approval for City Commissioners to issue up to $15 million in general obligations bonds to purchase land along Turnbull Creek to shield it from future development, setting it aside for preservation.
Owen said another big thing that happened at Tuesday's meeting is the passage of a ban against the use of single-use plastics and styrofoam on city properties by city vendors. He said the New Smyrna Beach is an environmentally conscious city. Owen said they are trying to "lead the way against so much single-use plastic polluting our planet." He said the city is proud to join so many local businesses who have already voluntarily stopped using plastics and styrofoam.
