State buys the ranch -- and the range

Phillippe Diedrich for The New York Times


SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- Aug. 2, 2006 -- The house at 8000 State Road 31 -- and the 73,471 acres that surround it -- is now state property.

And all it took was about $351.5 million.

Completing the largest conservation purchase in state history, Gov. Jeb Bush Monday presided over a ceremonial deed transfer of Babcock Ranch at the state Capitol building.

"We have completed a truly historic purchase for Florida," Bush said. "By placing Babcock Ranch in public ownership, we are preserving a piece of our heritage for future generations."

"This is just an awesome day," said Division of State Lands Director Eva Armstrong, who choked back tears before accepting the deed from developer Syd Kitson.

The state paid $310 million, and Lee County kicked in $41.5 million, to acquire nearly 74,000 of the ranch's 91,000 acres.

Kitson & Partners will retain 17,000 acres to build a new town of 19,500 homes -- including 17,870 homes on 13,521 acres in Charlotte County.

That element of the pact drew fire from some environmental groups and prompted an 11th-hour challenge by the Sierra Club that nearly derailed the deal last month.

However, the opportunity to conserve nearly 74,000 acres of mostly pristine brush and swamp was hailed by most.

"This is just terrific," said Audubon of Florida Vice President Eric Draper. "Babcock Ranch is probably the most important -- certainly the largest -- investment Florida has ever made in protecting environmental lands."

The ranch has been operated by the Babcock family for nearly 100 years since it was founded by Fred Babcock, the former mayor of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Kitson said the same concern for the environment that fostered the deal will be reflected in his proposed new city.

"Just as I was committed to preserving over 80 percent of the ranch, I am equally committed to making the new Babcock Ranch community a model for environmental planning and stewardship," he said.

With sale formalities resolved, Kitson's proposal moves into the preliminary stages of the nuts-and-bolts approval process.

Kitson plans to submit a Development of Regional Impact proposal to the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council soon.

Charlotte County Community Development Director Mike Konefal said there will be "a general conversation" about the DRI application on Aug. 9 before the council in Fort Myers.

Typically, he said, a DRI review takes about nine months to a year to secure "detailed approval."

Lee County Community Development Director Mary Gibbs said Kitson is expected to file a comprehensive plan amendment with her planners soon.

The DRI review will address concerns raised by both counties about how Kitson's city will affect regional roads.

Lee County planners say while most of the project's homes are in Charlotte County, its orientation will be toward Fort Myers, eight miles away.

Therefore, while Charlotte County will reap much of tax revenues from the project, Lee County wants to ensure it isn't stuck with paying an inordinate share of an estimated $500 million in road improvements the city will engender.

Gibbs said "everything is so preliminary," it is difficult to fix a price tag on how much regional road improvements will cost.

More important right now, she said, is creating a formula that will determine who pays for what.

"My understanding of the traffic situation is they haven't agreed on the methodology as yet," Gibbs said.

Konefal was uncertain if Sierra Club's withdrawn challenge of the Charlotte County comprehensive plan amendment is technically resolved.

On June 16, Sierra Club challenged the comp plan amendment filed with the state's Department of Community Affairs to establish a Babcock Ranch zoning overlay district.

The group withdrew its appeal on July 20 before an administrative judge was to hold hearings beginning July 24.

However, Konefal said, the challenge is still on the books and may need to be "opened" before it can be dismissed.

"How do you close that appeal?" he asked. "I am not that familiar with the hearing examiners' process. There is probably some formality."

Sierra Club dropped its challenge after securing concessions from Kitson & Partners. They include:

• Kitson must shift residential development above Curry Lake to the south to expand the wildlife corridor by 2,000 acres.

• Kitson may never seek additional density, or transfer units off, the project.

• Commercial development along State Road 31 and Lee County Road 78 must have 250-foot setbacks.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.