Volusia Forever panel rejects Turnbull Bay fee‑simple purchase; staff to explore easement option

The Volusia Forever advisory committee voted on June 9 that the Turnbull Bay nomination is not eligible for fee‑simple purchase under the program's scoring criteria.

Staff presented Turnbull Bay as a 23‑acre fee‑simple application with a staff score of 7 out of 21; the program's minimum eligibility score is 10. The parcel is adjacent to the Doris Leeper/Spruce Creek Preserve and is accessible only by water, according to staff. Hunter Falmer of Land Management said the tract would likely be absorbed into the adjacent preserve if acquired.

Committee members questioned field verification of wetlands, the presence of recorded archaeological sites, and restoration needs. Staff said the Florida site file showed no recorded archaeological sites for this property and that wetland mapping was verified by an observational site visit. Staff also reported mosquito‑ditch modifications and a sizable infestation of Brazilian pepper; restoration would mean refilling historic mosquito ditches and long‑term planning if county funds were used.

Members flagged public access issues: the recorded service gate on a cul‑de‑sac is county‑owned for property security, but the homeowners association that controls subdivision roads will not permit public access through the gated neighborhood. Several members argued that protecting the parcel would help stem invasive species migration into the neighboring preserve.

After discussion a motion to find the fee‑simple nomination eligible failed; the committee recorded that the property was not eligible and staff agreed to follow up with the property owner about the possibility of pursuing an easement instead.