Palm Coast council approves three final plats and three stormwater contracts; bonds and contingencies recorded

Pal​m Coast City Council approved several land-development and stormwater actions at its April 1 business meeting, including three final plats that legally establish new lots and three construction contracts tied to an FY2025 stormwater loan.

The council adopted resolutions approving final plats for Somerset Phase 2 (Tract 15), Lakeview Estates Tract 1 and Grama Landings Phase 5A and authorized the mayor to execute the plats. The council also approved construction contracts for major stormwater work: culvert/conveyance improvements (Colbert West conveyance project), k‑section drainage upgrades, and Pine Grove Canal dredging. Design and feasibility work for two drainage feasibility studies (Double L section and B1/B2/B3 outfalls) were included in the staff agenda.

Why it matters: The plats create legally platted lots and commit developers to construct infrastructure; the stormwater contracts fund city work designed to reduce flooding and improve conveyance across multiple basins. The approvals lock in developer bonds and homeowner/CDD maintenance responsibilities, and commit city construction dollars and contingency reserves to multi‑year projects.

Plats (final approvals) - Somerset Phase 2 (Application 6007): A 45.22‑acre tract in the Palm Coast Park MPD (Track 15) was platted into 47 lots at a density of 3.27 units per acre. Staff said roughly 80% of infrastructure is already built; the developer must post a performance bond for remaining work. Staff recorded the bond amount as $1,234,558.03 (120% of remaining infrastructure cost). The council adopted the final‑plat resolution and the motion passed, recorded in the minutes as 3–1.

- Lakeview Estates Tract 1 (Application 5812): A 94.9‑acre tract carved from the former Matanzas Wood golf course was approved as a single‑family residential tract subject to MPD standards; staff said about 75% of infrastructure is complete and a bond of $2,029,958.10 will secure remaining work. The resolution passed 3–1.

- Grama Landings Phase 5A (Application 5954): The 59.09‑acre Phase 5A final plat (42 lots) was approved; the developer must provide a performance bond of $491,099 (120% of remaining infrastructure costs). The motion to approve passed (recorded in the minutes as carried by council vote).

Stormwater construction contracts and budget notes - Colbert West conveyance/culvert improvements: Staff recommended and the council awarded a construction contract to SE Klein Construction (lowest qualified bidder). The lowest bid for the Colbert/culvert package was reported at about $3,600,000; with construction contingency and construction administration/inspection the total contract authorization requested was $4,335,671.22. Staff noted the project includes a temporary bypass roadway to maintain traffic during construction; the council approved the award (vote recorded as 4–1 for this item).

- K Section drainage improvements: The council awarded the k‑section drainage contract to 4 C's Trucking & Excavation (lowest qualified bidder ~ $2,400,000). With contingency, inspection and administration the total authorization sought was $2,808,962.72. Staff described multiple upsized box culvert installations at four locations; council approval followed the public discussion.

- Pine Grove Canal dredging: The council awarded the dredging contract to SE Klein Construction after the lowest qualified bid of $1,456,000. With contingency and CEI the total requested authorization was $1,711,000.00. Staff said dredging would reduce vegetation, restore conveyance and reduce maintenance frequency; council approved the contract.

Design/feasibility services - Staff also requested and the council approved professional services from Geosyntec for two feasibility/design studies: the Double L section drainage study ($105,291.40) and the B1/B2/B3 outfall feasibility ($106,845.90). Those studies will support permitting with the St. Johns River Water Management District and inform project design.

Council statements and constraints - Staff emphasized that many roadways and utilities in the three plats would be constructed by the developers at their cost and, once complete, would be maintained by the homeowners association or community development district (CDD) as applicable. Multiple council members and staff reiterated that the city enforces land‑development code standards for buffers and that industrial development would be required to provide any buffering where code requires it.

Ending: The council approved a package of growth‑related plats and stormwater projects designed to clear entitlements for new housing while addressing flooding and conveyance problems across the city. Contractors will begin permitting and scheduling; staff will return to council with updates, and bond instruments must be posted before plats are recorded.