BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
The Bradford County Commission has supported the application by Roberts Capital Ventures for a state agricultural conservation easement on more than 1,000 acres between Crosby and Sampson lakes.
The application describes the 1,068 acres, which RCV acquired in 2020 for “speculative hold, personal recreational use as well as development of country homesites.” Mixed-use management of the property has included silviculture, timber management, wildlife preservation and recreation.
According to the application, “A large portion of the property is composed of natural forest, which had been seed-tree cut by the previous landowner; however, the area is now regenerating cypress, pine and hardwood providing a valuable wetland habit, ecosystem type and aesthetic qualities. The actively managed timber areas contain slash pine in a range of age classes which can be harvested to generate revenue to sustain the property.”
A letter to the state, identically prepared for the signatures of the County Chairman Danny Riddick, Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Rep. Chuck Brannan, summarizes the purpose of the application: “RCV would like to pursue an agricultural protection easement to prevent development of the property now and in the future that ensures the property remains under family ownership for heirs, and if not, to be owned and maintained by like-minded foresters and farmers for the future. RCV also desires to protect the water resources and wildlife on the property in perpetuity as those resources contribute to the quality of both Lake Crosby and Lake Sampson.”
The letter of support was pulled from approval on the consent agenda for discussion, with Commission Carolyn Spooner asking about potential future ownership and development of the property as well as access to the lakes and other recreational uses.
Ramesh Buch, director of conservation acquisitions for North Florida Land Trust, was there to provide answers. Under the land’s current zoning categories, which includes residential and agricultural land, more than 100 development units would be allowed today, he said. As part of the conservation easement, he said the Roberts family wants to eliminate all but four of those units, reducing the development density.
“Now that four, ostensibly, is for the family. But if the family chooses, the current owner chooses not to build those four, the property can be sold to another owner outside of the family. The restrictions remain in place,” Buch said. No more than four units would be allowed, conserving the rest of the land.
As for public access, Buch explained the land is and would remain privately owned. Any access would be at the will of the property owner.
“The access that the public would enjoy to the property is whatever it has today,” he said. “It could increase if Mr. Roberts or the next owners wanted to allow it, but there is no guarantee that the public has access under a conservation easement, just like it doesn’t have a guaranteed access today.”
In addition to preserving the right to develop four units on the property, RCV also wants to retain the right to maintain agriculture and silviculture operations and monetize the agricultural areas to maintain the property and pay the outstanding mortgage. The conservation easement would also reduce the property tax burden, according to the application.
Restrictions would prohibit: subdividing the land for residential or other development; mining; commercial dairy or swine operations and confined animal feed lots; construction of billboards, satellite towers and commercial antennas; commercial water extraction other than the allowed residential agricultural and forestry uses; commercial recreational ATV facilities; and dumping of waste, trash and hazardous materials.
Any development that does take place would go through the county’s building and zoning office and be subject to the county’s land development regulations.
Following discussion, the commission approved the letter of support.
