Commissioners accept plat and swap county-owned green space for roughly 30-acre tract with developer

Camden County commissioners approved a plat and land-swap July 1 with Camden Land Acquisition that transfers a county-held 27-acre green-space parcel in exchange for just over 30 acres of land the developer will convey to the county and maintain as public green space.

County staff said the original 27-acre parcel was acquired under a green-space grant that restricted its use and required public access. Staff explained the deed allowed a swap so long as any newly acquired property remains green space and has public access; the proposed 30-acre tract near Highway 40 meets those terms, staff said.

Why it mattered: Staff told the board the county parcel as held posed potential liability exposure because portions were low-lying and included an open pond. Swapping the property transfers management of the original site to the developer and gives the county a tract nearer to public access points; staff also noted the newly acquired property contains substantial wetlands that might have future value as wetland mitigation credits.

Public comment and board discussion: A public speaker urged caution, calling the property “swamp land” and suggesting the county sell the parcel rather than acquire more wetland acreage if it had no public use. Commissioners and staff responded that the new tract would remain open to the public, and staff said they will explore grant or boardwalk options to provide access.

Decision: The board voted to accept the plat and approve the land trade. Staff said final subdivision plats had cleared the City of St. Marys process and that Camden Land Acquisition would coordinate finalization and public-access provisions.