VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A piece of prime waterfront land in Volusia County could have made taxpayers money, but instead leaders spent $3 million to buy the land on Lake Monroe from a developer for a playground and park.
That's nearly $200,000 a year that won't be on the tax rolls. If the land was developed, that's how much tax money could have been collected, but the city and county decided the lakefront land was too pristine to allow development on except for the 1.5 acres set aside for a playground.
A nearly completed playground designed to accommodate handicapped children is a sign of what has become of the 37-acre Thornby property. It's the subject of one of the most controversial issues the city of Deltona has ever seen.
"There are questions in the past about the amount of money had been asked for the property," explained Lee Lopez, city of Deltona.
Before it was even annexed into the city, Volusia County stopped a developer from building apartments on the land in 2000. It's land that has wetlands and Indian mounds. The city wanted it protected, too.
In 2006, owners were asking nearly $7 million. As time passed, the city had it appraised at $2.3 million. The owner's appraisal was $5 million. In 2009, the city and county voted to split the cost, paying $3 million.
"It's expensive, but I think, as far as the city is concerned, they needed to buy it," taxpayer Doug Hallahan said.
Property appraisers told WFTV a comparable property was a 52-acre lakefront site in Orlando zoned for residential; it sold for $69,000 an acre. By comparison, the Thornby property sold for roughly $81,000 an acre.
"Why did you spent so much on land nobody else could build anything on anyway?" WFTV reporter Jeff Deal asked.
"It's an investment in the city of Deltona," Lopez said.
The city and neighbors contend the land use will make the community better.
"They waste a lot of money on other things, but this is beneficial to the community," taxpayer Esther Wirsing said.
Appraisal Associates of Mid-Florida told WFTV the price was a little high, but not outrageous because conservation land actually costs more than subdivided lots.
The playground is expected to open next month.
WFTV
