New Smyrna Beach, FL - Commissioners are set to meet with residents and a citizen committee to review the first round of appraisals ahead of a land purchase vote concerning Turnbull Creek.
Back in November, over 75% of voters in New Smyrna Beach approved the Turnbull Creek Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat and Natural Areas Protection Bonds municipal referendum.
That gave the NSB City Commission the authority 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.
Today (June 10th), the city commission will host a joint public meeting with the Turnbull Creek Land Preservation Committee at City Hall starting at 3 p.m.
Agenda items include a discussion of the committee's roles and responsibilities along with presentations on conservation easements, parcel review and a questionnaire submitted by committee member Warren "Chip" Weston.
The committee is a five-member group of citizens appointed by the commission in January to review information related to land preservation along Turnbull Creek.
Since then, both the committee and the commission heard briefings on the referendum's working history, results of a Stetson University "Bio-Blitz" study of Turnbull Creek and responses to another questionnaire submitted by committee chair Katie Tripp.
A second meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. will feature city commission discussion of the first round of recently completed independent property appraisals.
There, they will also discuss potential courses of action by the commission to prepare for a final vote on whether to proceed with the first purchase of Turnbull Creek property at their regular meeting on June 25th.
Public participation opportunities will be available at both meetings.
