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CITT backs county acquisition of Parcel 1 for Sunshine Station/Golden Glades project
Summary
The Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust on the record recommended that the Board of County Commissioners declare Parcel 1 a public necessity so the county can acquire the site for a kiss‑and‑ride lot, pedestrian bridge and to expand the Golden Glades Multimodal Transportation Facility.
The Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust on the record recommended that the Board of County Commissioners declare the acquisition of the property known as Parcel 1 a public necessity to support construction of the Sunshine Station / Golden Glades Multimodal Transportation Facility and associated kiss‑and‑ride lot and pedestrian bridge.
The recommendation, discussed under agenda item 7(a), would authorize the county mayor, the mayor's designee and the county attorney to pursue acquisition of the parcel by negotiation, donation, right‑of‑way designation, purchase (appraisal or assessed value, whichever is higher) or eminent domain, to pay qualifying relocation expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees under Florida Statutes sections 73.091 and 73.092, and to offer up to 15% above appraised value as an incentive. The resolution also authorizes the use of Charter County Transportation surtax (People's Transportation Plan) funds for the project, which was added to the PTP in January 2019.
Why it matters: the parcel is intended as a landing and access point for the Golden Glades multimodal facility, enabling a kiss‑and‑ride lot and pedestrian connection that county staff say will improve access and reduce vehicle trips on the state road network. Department of Transportation and Public Works staff described the acquisition as necessary to construct a drop‑off/park area and to modify and expand an existing structure that will connect to the pedestrian bridge and multimodal facility.
County staff said the parcel is currently owner‑occupied as a gallery/warehouse and that relocation costs would be payable if the owner chooses to relocate; those costs and relocation protections are required under the uniform relocation rules cited in the staff recommendation. Staff also said preliminary outreach to the property owner and the owner’s counsel has already taken place. The parcel referenced in the resolution is approximately one acre, according to staff.
Trust members asked questions about scope, cost controls and whether the matter would return to the trust or go directly to the Board of County Commissioners. The county attorney and department staff said the resolution authorizes the mayor’s office to undertake the appraisal and acquisition process and to use PTP funds and that if overall costs exceed contingencies the county would return for further approvals.
The trust moved and approved the recommendation; the item passed on the trust floor. The formal motion authorized county staff to proceed with acquisition actions as described in the resolution and signaled support for using PTP funds for the project, including a discretionary incentive up to 15% over appraisal and payment of relocation costs where required by law.
Details extracted from the meeting record include the project purpose (kiss‑and‑ride and pedestrian bridge landing), statutory citations referenced by staff (Fla. Stat. §§ 73.091, 73.092), the parcel size (about 1 acre, as stated by staff) and that the parcel is currently owner‑occupied.
Looking ahead: the trust’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. Staff indicated the next steps are appraisal, negotiation and, if necessary, eminent‑domain filings.
