Item D26BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: 2-18-03 Division: Public Works
Bulk Item: Yes X No _ Department: En ineerine
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval to close two roads in the Dove Creek conservation area, Harris
Ocean Park, Tavernier
ITEM BACKGROUND: A request was received from the County's Land Steward, Laurie McHargue, to
close the referenced locations due to illegal dumping and misuse of the property. The area is an
environmentally sensitive area.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: None
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval as stated above, specifically the end of Dove Creek Drive,
and a driveway near lots 25-27, Block 6 on Caribbean Avenue.
TOTAL COST: $500.00 BUDGETED: Yes X NO
Cost to County: 50 .00 Gas Tax Funds
�—
REVENUE PRODUCING: YES _ NO X AMOUNT PER MONTH
YEAR
APPROVED BY: County A MB/Purchasin
g Risk Management
Item Prepared by: *�
David . Koppel, P.E., County E gineer
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:0�
Dent Pierce, Division Director
DOCUMENTATION: Included X To Follow
DISPOSITION:
Not Required
AGENDA ITEM #
MEMORANDUM
TO: Laurie McHargue, Ph.D.
Monroe County Land Steward
FROM: David S. Koppel
County Engineer OP
DATE: August 14, 2002
RE: Road Closure
Dove Creek Dr. & Caribbean Ave.
Harris Ocean Park, Tavernier
We have reviewed your report and request to close two roads into the Dove Creek
conservation area. As a result, we would support your recommendation to prohibit
vehicular access into the area. Please agenda this item for BOCC consideration at the
next appropriate meeting. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call. -
DSK/jl
RdClosureDoveCrDrCaribbeanAve.DOC
Cc: Dent Pierce
Memorandum
To: Dave o 1,,County Engineer
From: Lauri argue, Ph.D., Monroe County Land Steward
Date: 31 July 2002
Re: Road closure into Dove Creek conservation area
This memo and the accompanying materials are for your evaluation of the feasibility of
closing vehicular access into the Dove Creek conservation area. This is a large area of
public lands surrounding Dove Creek, much of which is owned by the Land Authority.
In response to complaints of inappropriate and illegal activities along an undeveloped
stretch of Dove Creek Drive, I inspected the area to assess the feasibility of closing to
vehicular access the two roads that run into the area. The specific complaints of the resident
was solid waste dumping, ATV and other vehicle use, and noisy activities by groups of
teens on the undeveloped portion of Dove Creek Drive that parallels Caribbean Avenue.
These activities were conducted both during day and nighttime hours. Over the years the
Monroe County Sheriff was called on many occasions to respond to the residents'
concerns. Attached is the strip map showing the portion of Dove Creek Drive I am
proposing be closed to vehicular access, along with an aerial photo and photos of the
impacts to the area. Please note that on the aerial photograph, the street labeled "Dove
Creek Drive" is actually Caribbean Avenue. Dove Creek Drive is the faint dirt track that
runs roughly parallel to Caribbean Avenue. Purchase offers were made by the Monroe
County Land Authority for the properties along the undeveloped portion of Dove Creek
Drive, and all but 15 out of 3 8 lots (61 %) were acquired. Owners of the 15 lots either
declined to sell, or could not sell due to title problems. Because the area is environmentally
sensitive with both native upland and wetland plant communities, the likelihood of being
able to develop these lots is low.
On both the strip map and aerial photo I have indicated with yellow highlight the locations I
propose to block with bollards spaced so as to permit foot or bicycle access, but exclude
ATVs, cars, and trucks. The first pair of photographs shows the two proposed locations for
access control. Other photos show some of the solid waste dumping in the conservation
area, and the damage to vegetation and the substrate by vehicles.
July 31, 2002
The area along Dove Creek Drive transitions from hardwood hammock to buttonwood/salt
marsh associations and mangroves along the margin of Dove Creek. It is a large, intact,
important conservation area. Excluding vehicles will prevent further dumping, allow the
area to recover, and curtail the activities that were the cause of the original complaints.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me at x2521.
cc. T. McGarry, Growth Management
M. Rosch, Land Authority
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President
Mary Lou Wilkinson
Vice President
Jerry Wilkinson
Secretary
Rosemary Olds
Treasury
Katy Yates
TRUSTEES
Ruth Hindelang
Jane Wulle
Art Baker
Denise Nedimyer
Harris Park Neighborhood Association, Inc
38 East Beach Road
Tavernier, Florida 33070
Laurie McHargue:
Growth Management
2798 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050
November 21, 2002
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Dear Ms. McHargue:
At a noticed but informal joint Harris Park Neighborhood and Crime Watch
meeting conducted in Harry Harris Park on October 27, 2002 the below listed
residents discussed and approved the proposed restricting of vehicular traffic to all
entrances to conservation land from any road of Harris Park subdivisions.
Per your telecom we advised and they approved bollards or devices which
would allow foot traffic, dog walking, etc. while not totally blocking access to foot
traffic
The group noted many and repeated un-necessary ATV, go-cart, motorcycle,
dumping, and other environmental damaging and nuisance incidents.
The following attended this meeting:
William Roberts, Bernice Chasteen, Donald Sewell, Chris Gardner, Robert and
Deborah Brown, Sandra Fuchs, Carol Smith, Mary Lou and Jerry Wilkinson.
Monroe County Deputy Don Fanelli of the sheriff's department was also present for
Crime Watch.
iucerely,
ra4,l-f va."a Lzx�
erryWilkinson,
Wilkinson, President
Neighborhood Crime Watch Coordinator
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