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School board staff recommend banking 90‑acre Lake Marion parcels for future school site; offer negotiated to $9.235 million
Summary
Staff recommended the district purchase six parcels near Lake Marion Creek Road totaling just over 90 acres for future school development, reporting wetlands constraints, approximately 60 buildable upland acres and a negotiated purchase price of $9,235,000 to be funded by impact fee funds and existing budget lines.
Polk County School District staff recommended at the Aug. 12 work session that the board approve purchase of six parcels along Lake Marion Creek Road in the county’s northeast for future school development and district facility use.
Amy Little, assistant director for real estate and facilities planning, said the combined property totals just over 90 acres with “upland use” of roughly 60 acres after wetlands and flood constraints are excluded. Little said two independent appraisals produced valuations the district used in negotiations; the sellers’ combined asking price exceeded $12 million, the district initially offered roughly $7.7 million and staff negotiated a final offer of $9,235,000. Little said that line‑item funding already exists in the board’s budget and that impact‑fee funds would be used.
Little described the site as located in unincorporated Polk County near Point Sienna, with the nearest municipality Haines City to the west, fire rescue under two miles away and Polk County Sheriff jurisdiction. She said the Toho (Toho Water) Authority has water main and a wastewater force main about three miles from the site and has indicated an intention to expand utilities into the area, which staff said would enable development.
From a planning perspective, staff said the county comprehensive plan classifies the area as agricultural residential rural but that schools are an allowable use after a large‑scale comprehensive plan amendment and subdistrict change with the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. Little said staff overlaid a typical Polk County high‑school footprint and found space for athletic fields, parking and stormwater while maintaining appropriate setbacks from wetlands; she said the district usually banks sites for the most intense plausible future use.
Board members asked questions about parcel ownership, wetland acreage, soil and traffic. Little said there is one contact representing the sellers and confirmed the district will receive title from that owner on closing. She confirmed a Phase I environmental assessment has been completed and said staff would share that report with the board. Board members asked about timeline and urgency; Little said staff would bring the item back as a formal board action item on Sept. 9 for a vote if the board moves forward from the workshop.
Several board members urged additional environmental and traffic detail before a final vote; staff said they would supply the Phase I report, appraisals and additional materials requested by board members.
