CDDs move forward with conservation plan

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Supervisors in two Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts have agreed to move forward with a comprehensive maintenance program for wetland and conservation areas.

Supervisors in CDD 4 and CDD 5 on Sept. 16 approved the treatment of all nuisance and exotic vegetation within conservation areas, placing a special emphasis on areas directly adjacent to private parcels.

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall’s Director of Operations Ryan Heise said removal of exotics is important for creating a bio-diverse system. Brazilian peppers, in particular, will create a one-species environment if left unchecked.

“This is the first shot at something comprehensive,” Heise said. “It’s never really been done in the districts before.”

The program is not designed to be an aesthetic enhancement to the preserve areas, he said.

In CDD 4, the contractor, Earth Balance, will remove exotic plants from within 30 feet of the edge of conservation areas and from all internal portions of the areas directly behind homes and visible wetlands. Removal methods will include the cutting and mulching of woody species, such as Brazilian Peppers, and kill-in-place herbicide treatment of all herbaceous specials. Cut material more than one-inch in diameter will be removed.

The same practice will be used in CDD 5, but exotic removal only will be completed within 15 feet of conservation areas rather than 30 feet.

In both districts, the stumps of all cut vegetation will be spread throughout the upland portion of the preserve and will be applied with systemic herbicide to prevent future re-growth.

Heise said the areas under contract will “look rough” immediately after treatment, but will improve as native plants grow in. Quarterly follow-ups will be conducted as part of on-going maintenance efforts.

In District 4, the program is estimated to cost no more than $14,000. In District 5, costs are capped at $13,000.

Conservation efforts began this week.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

IN OTHER BUSINESS
CDD 1
• District Engineer Mike Kennedy said Manatee County has agreed to repave a section of southbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard just north of the bridge by the end of November.

• Supervisors approved a change in the watering schedule for residents in Riverwalk Bluff. Now, even lot numbers will water between 3-6:30 a.m., Fridays, and odd lot numbers will water between 6:30-10 a.m., Fridays.

• Supervisors approved a pavilion rental enforcement policy to help prevent multiple parties from attempting to use rented facilities at the same time. The policy specifies the Summerfield Park pavilion can be used on a first-come, first-serve basis with the exception of reservations. Weekly schedules of the pavilion reservations will be posted. Access cannot be denied either to playground equipment or the restrooms.

CDD 2
• Supervisors approved for Garden Leaders to assume landscape maintenance responsibilities for the district starting Oct. 1. The company, which already provides landscaping services for the other districts, replaces Mainscapes, which received failing performance scores from an independent consultant.

The change will result in $124,000 in savings.

Despite complaints from CDD 1 supervisors about Garden Leaders’ performance, Heise and Community Manager Bob Fernandez said they were confident the company would do a good job.

CDD 4
• Supervisors also approved a pavilion rental enforcement policy. The policy specifies the Greenbrook Adventure Park pavilion can be used on a first-come, first-serve basis with the exception of reservations. The pavilion or field can be rented by the hour with reservations made at Town Hall. Weekly schedules of the pavilion reservations will be posted. Access cannot be denied either to playground equipment or the restrooms.

CDD 5
• Supervisors approved change orders to their contract with Garden Leaders to remove maintenance of the berm at the end of Orchid Island ($3,600), to add the Belmont lake bank ($2,000), Stone Ridge ($6,500) and area in Palmers Creek ($1,600) to the contract and to remove Foxtail Palm trimming in Presidio, Mizner Reserve and Brier Creek ($1,220) from the contract.

• Supervisor Dave Emison said residents in his district would strongly oppose increasing the speed limit along Lorraine Road, which has been suggested by CDD 4 supervisors.

Inter-District Authority
• Supervisors voted to reject a $20,000 settlement for a claim filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the IDA. Mediation and negotiations and details of the filing are confidential.