CC 01/27/2020 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CASSCLBERRY CITY COMMISSION Minutes of January 27, 2020 — Regular Meeting Page 11 of 13 Mr. Newlon provided background on a matter concerning three properties which were owned by the founder of the City of Casselberry and his family at 700 South Lost Lake Lane, also known as the "Brightwater Estate". The property is divided into three parcels that combine to total approximately 13 acres and the City had acquired 2 of the three parcels, one by purchase from the property owner and one through a successful bid at a foreclosure sale. The remaining parcel is the one on which the family home is located and features a James Gamble Rogers designed two-story home of approximately 7000 square feet built in 1953. The property and home over the past several years has fallen into disrepair. The owner of the property, Mr. John Casselberry, passed away unexpectedly in July of 2019, and the property was now in the hands of his estate. Mr. Newlon reminded the City Commission that in 2017 the City Commission had approved the Parks, Recreation, Pathways and Open Spaces Master Plan which identified that by 2040 the City would experience a deficit in parkland of approximately 82 acres, and it was suggested that if available, the City should pursue purchase of the "Brightwater Estate" to provide more lakefront access, showcase the historical home of Hibbard Casselberry and provide additional acres of park land. He added that the home and grounds were currently in a state of disrepair, but two independent appraisals had determined that the most probable buyer for the property would be a developer or home builder and had returned estimated values ranging from $1,050,000 to $1,505,000. He advised that the Estate had expressed an interest in selling the remaining property to the City and he would be meeting tomorrow with the Personal Representative of the Estate and the sole known heir to discuss whatever terms they might be seeking. Mr. Newlon requested input and discussion from the City Commission, and guidance on how to proceed, noting that over the years there had been considerable discussion about the future acquisition of the land and home and the potential for either additional parkland for the City or restoration of the home into a historic event center of some type, similar to Cypress Grove in Orange County and Casa Feliz, another James Gamble Rogers home located in Winter Park. Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of acquiring the property, including: potential purchase price; cost of restoration and maintenance; need for redirection of funds from other potential needs for purchase of the property; potential for creation of a new park on the site should the home be determined to be in such disrepair it could not be rehabilitated; potential for restoration as a historic site/events center which could be a destination within the City; need for improvements to the grounds and securing of the property for potentially years before plans could be accomplished for an event center; preference for purchase of the property with no deed restrictions and arranging for payments over time to preserve fund balance reserves; value of the land itself even if it would not be feasible to restore the home; concerns about whether an event center would provide a true benefit to the citizens of Casselberry, as opposed to adding additional park facilities; and the possibility that final decisions regarding plans for the property could be made by a future City Commission due to the potentially lengthy process for rehabilitation of the home and lands. CONSENSUS: The City Commission agreed by consensus to direct the City Manager and staff to continue investigation into the feasibility of purchasing the "Brightwater Estate" property for future utilization by the City as either park lands or an event center, and to continue to bring progress reports back to the Commission for consideration.