Commission approves Summertown and Veranda Bay cost‑allocation agreement for John Anderson Highway improvements

Flagler County commissioners approved a negotiated cost‑allocation agreement with the Summertown and Veranda Bay developer that assigns a proportionate fair‑share contribution for impacts to John Anderson Highway and secures enhanced landscaping commitments.

County staff and counsel explained that the agreement arose from dispute resolution and negotiation. The developer's contribution schedule (Exhibit A) calculates the estimated build‑out proportionate fair share of impacts to John Anderson Highway at $825,019.20; the developer also committed approximately $400,000 in enhanced landscaping carried out and maintained over a 30‑year period. The agreement additionally extended a willing‑seller commitment for up to 153 acres of preserve land for three years to allow the county time to pursue funding to acquire the property for preservation.

Under the agreement property owners will pay their assessed proportionate share as building permits are pulled; the county will deposit the funds in a dedicated account to be used at the county’s discretion for mitigation and improvements to John Anderson Highway. Staff said the landscaping plan will be subject to staff review and prior approval at the time of installation.

Commissioner Dantz moved to approve the cost‑allocation agreement; a roll call vote recorded unanimous support and the motion passed. Staff confirmed the online agenda backup was corrected to include the executed agreement and the contribution schedule prior to the vote.