Budget, Maple Ridge Plans Considered at AMSCD Meeting
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Published on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 17:35
The Ave Maria Stewardship Community District board approved some minor land-use changes Tuesday to clear the way for the start of construction on the new Maple Ridge development in Ave Maria. The approvals let work begin on construction of the first phase of Maple Ridge, which encompases about 150 houses that will be built just south of the town center, mainly along an extension of Roma St.
In all, the new development partnership between CC Devco and Barron Collier – now known as CC Ave Maria – plans to build 1,479 houses on 640 acres extending south of the town center to the Bellera neighborhood and east to Camp Keais Rd. A map showing the plan is at the end of this article.
Hampton Village residents Tim and Susan Moore noted at the meeting that a later phase of the development plans to build five houses on greenspace land that is across from property they own on Taylor Rd. They showed the board a development map provided by Pulte Homes when they bought their property in 2007 showing no houses on the land, and said they were promised that there would be no development on the greenspace land.
Although the board's decision did not pertain to that aspect of the plan, Barron Collier representative David Genson said that he was aware of the matter and that it would be raised at a meeting this week with the developers.
The board also authorized spending $10,000 to hire Fishkind and Associates to develop methodology for the potential offering of bonds that would help finance the cost of infrastructure for Maple Ridge. The bonds would be one option for the financing, district manager Todd Wodraska explained, and would be repaid through the sale of property in Maple Ridge. The bond issuance – if the board decides to proceed with it – would have no impact on any other residents of Ave Maria and its repayment would be bundled into home prices in Maple Ridge.
In other business at the meeting:
- The board discussed a proposed budget for the next fiscal year beginning in the fall. The budget is essentially the same as the current year, and keeps assessments on residents at current levels. A date of Aug. 6 was set for the public hearing to consider approval of the budget.
- New Immokalee Fire District Chief Paul Anderson introduced himself and said that one of his priorities is to consider with the board construction of a permanent fire/EMS station in Ave Maria, replacing the current temporary facility. A permanent station, he said, would, among other things, enable property in the town to receive a lower ISO rating that would lower fire insurance rates. He also said that he hopes to establish a training program in handling hazardous materials, as the nearest organization that could respond to such an emergency is an hour away. Chief Anderson came to Immokalee after 31 years with the Clermont Fire Department near Orlando.
- Mr. Wodraska announced that the district's counsel, Ken Van Assenderp, had resigned as he nears retirement and the board approved a resolution thanking him for his almost 10 years of service. Board Chairman Tom Peek will work with Mr. Wodraska to evaluate proposals from other law firms.
Below is the map showing the Maple Ridge development. The current town center is in the upper left, Camp Keais Rd. at the far right. Click here for printable map.
