HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2026-027R C-E a• NT CITY OF CLERMONT
RESOLUTION NO_2026-0271[;t
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING ITS SUPPORT
FOR THE ACQUISITION AND PERMANENT CONSERVATION OF
PROPERTY WITHIN THE FERNDALE SPECIAL AREA;
ENCOURAGING THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS TO UTILIZE AVAILABLE PARK ACQUISITION
FUNDING TO PURCHASE AND PROTECT THE PROPERTY FROM
DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORTING PUBLIC ACCESS FOR PASSIVE
RECREATION CONSISTENT WITH CONSERVATION, PROVIDING
CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, ADNIINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF
SCRIVENER'S ERROR,AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,in 2024, the City o£Clermont entered into an Interlocal Agreement with the
Lake County Board of County Commissioners,the Town o£Montverde,the City of Minneola,and
the Bella Collins Community Development District (formerly known as the Pine Island
Community Development District, providing that lands within the Ferndale Special Area would
be designated Rural and Conservation on the Future Land Use Map of Lake County, Florida; and
WHEREAS, the City of Clermont continues to support the preservation of the Ferndale
Special Area and the implementation of the commitments reflected in the 2024 Interlocal
Agreement; and
WHEREAS,the Ferndale Special Area contains significant natural resources that contribute
to the environmental health and quality of life of Lake County, including native habitats, wildlife
corridors,open space, scenic vistas,and lands that support groundwater recharge and water resource
protection; and
WHEREAS, the permanent conservation of these lands through public ownership would
protect them from future development, preserve their natural and rural character, safeguard
important environmental resources, and ensure that these public benefits are available for future
generations; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that permanently protected conservation lands
provide opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Florida's natural environment through
passive recreational uses such as hiking, wa77tir.g, wildlife observation, birdwatching, photography,
environmental education, and nature appreciation, wbile maintaining the ecological integrity o£the
property; and
WHEREAS,the City Council finds that acquiring property within the Ferndale Special Area
for conservation purposes advances the public interest by protecting wildlife habitat,preserving open
space, supporting groundwater recharge, enhancing regional resilience, and providing compatible
public recreational opportunities_
NOW, THEREFORE,be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Clermont, Lake
County, Florida, that=
C�,J- CITY OF CLERMONT
oR��'—,--IO RESOLUTION NO. 2026-027R
SECTION 1: LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
The foregoing recitals are adopted and incorporated herein as the legislative findings of the
City Council.
SECTION 2• SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC ACQUISITION
The City Council expresses its strong support for the acquisition of property within the
Ferndale Special Area by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners for permanent
conservation and public stewardship.
SECTION 3• REQUEST TO THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
The City Council respectfully urges the Lake County Board of County Commissioners to
pursue and utilize available park acquisition grant funding and any other available funding sources
to purchase and permanently preserve the property within the Ferndale Special Area, thereby
protecting it from future development and ensuring its long-term conservation.
SECTION 4: CONSERVATION AND PUBLIC BENEFIT
The City Council supports the management of the property in a manner that protects its
natural resources, wildlife habitat, water recharge functions, scenic character, and ecological
integrity while providing opportunities for compatible passive public recreation, environmental
education, and appreciation of the natural environment.
SECTION 5: SEVERABILITY
If any portion of this Resolution is declared invalid,the invalidated portion shall be severed
from the remainder of the Resolution, and the remainder of the Resolution shall continue in full
force and effect as if enacted without the invalidated portion,except in cases where such continued
validity of the remainder would clearly and without doubt contradict or frustrate the intent of the
Resolution as a whole.
SECTION 6: ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION
This Resolution may be re-numbered or re-lettered, and/or corrected for typographical
and/or scrivener's errors which do not affect the intent of said resolution, as authorized by the City
Manager or designee, without need of public hearing, by filing a corrected copy of same with the
City Clerk.
SECTION 7: EFFECTIVE DATE
This Resolution shall be effective upon passage.
�S,,/ CITY OF CLERMONT
CLEOOM RESOLUTION N0. 2026-027R
��«
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the above said resolution of the City
Council of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Florida be adopted on this 28th day of July 2026.
CITY OF CLERMONT, FLORIDA
K,
Tim Mu�Nhayo,
ATTEST: f�
Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MC
City Clerk
Approved as to form and legality
Christian W. W gh, City Attorney