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Babcock Ranch, the new town under development in Lee and Charlotte counties along State Road 31, has committed to preserve 60% of the 91,000-acre property as open space to improve water quality, create critical wildlife connections, provide public recreation access and maintain the property in perpetuity.
It’s that commitment to leave 54,600 acres undeveloped and to restoring 50% of that acreage to its original natural state that prompted Lee County Commissioners to recently vote to discontinue discussions about a proposed acquisition of 1,519 acres in Babcock Ranch under the county’s Conservation 20/20 program.
Because so much of the site is already dedicated to conservation, Lee County Manager Roger Desjarlais concluded there was little the county could do to improve upon efforts there, and that taxpayer funds approved by voters in 1996 — and renewed in 2016 — to establish the conservation land acquisition program could be better used elsewhere.
The site adjacent to the Telegraph Creek and Bob Janes Preserves had been nominated for Conservation 20/20 by Babcock Ranch Holdings.
“We appreciate the meaningful discussions with Lee County staff about the possible 20/20 purchase of a portion of Babcock Ranch’s Lee County lands,” Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Babcock Ranch developer Kitson & Partners, tells Coffee Talk. “It was important to keep our promise to offer the land for public ownership, and we did so. Ultimately, we respect the process and are pleased to continue to be responsible stewards of this beautiful property.”
Since receiving voter approval for Conservation 20/20, Lee County has acquired and preserved 131 properties totaling 28,983 acres.
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