Holmes Beach soon will have a new preserve to neighbor Grassy Point.
City commissioners voted 5-0 April 13 to authorize Mayor Judy Titsworth to sign an agreement to receive the “Hames Family Preserve” — more than 22 acres of upland and submerged lands adjacent to the preserve — from the estate of Cedar Hames, who died in 2018.
The agreement states, “The city’s acceptance of title to the property is for the purpose of promoting open space, preserving protected lands and providing flood and climate change mitigation.”
Nora Scholin, a surviving sister and estate representative, told commissioners she is giving the city all but three residential parcels from the 26-acre property.
“It was very difficult to try to preserve as much of this property as possible, but I was very determined to do that,” Scholin said. “It’s up to you to move forward with this.”
The agreement establishes that the city must continue to identify the property as the Hames Family Preserve in perpetuity, regardless of use.
Mayor Judy Titsworth said the land is not zoned as a preserve, so it could be used in many ways. She said the city wouldn’t immediately rezone.
“We don’t want to do that because it would limit what we could do with it,” Titsworth said.
The agreement includes a provision requiring the city to pay $41,200 upon closing to reimburse Scholin for her purchase of mitigation credits and an appraisal for the property.
Scholin encouraged the city to set the closing date as soon as possible because the deadline to donate the property before the estate closes passed. She said a judge granted an extension through this month to donate the property but might not wait longer.
“That’s why I was hoping to wrap this up by March,” Scholin said. “If it reverts back to the daughters, it complicates things seriously.”
“The sooner we can do this, the better!” she added.
Titsworth suggested a 45-day timeline for closing the agreement — setting a deadline for closure May 28 — but working to close before then.
Scholin agreed to the recommended terms.
“Tomorrow I’ll call my attorney and have him submit a request to extend the deadline out to then,” Scholin said.
Commissioners expressed their gratitude to her.
“I think this is a very generous donation to our city at a very important time,” Commissioner Terry Schaefer said. “I just want to express my appreciation.”
“This is a super generous donation,” Commissioner Jayne Christenson said. “We’re honored that our city will be the recipient of beautiful land like this.”
“It’s a great opportunity for the city,” Commission Chair Jim Kihm said.
There was no public comment.