The Monroe County Land Authority is continuing its efforts to protect environmentally sensitive property, reduce development density and support affordable housing throughout the Florida Keys.
Executive Director Cynthia Guerra joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the county.
The Land Authority serves as an option for property owners while helping Monroe County carry out its land-use and conservation goals.
Created in 1986, the Monroe County Land Authority is part of county government and is governed by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. The agency was established through state statute when the Florida Keys was first being considered for designation as an Area of Critical State Concern.
Guerra said the agency’s mission is to “assist in implementing land use plans and to serve as sort of a relief valve for private property owners that maybe are having difficulty.”
The Land Authority acquires property for conservation, environmental and habitat protection, affordable housing and the protection of private property rights.
Much of its funding comes from tourist taxes collected in Monroe County, along with a small surcharge associated with visits to state parks.
Tourist tax revenue collected in Key West is retained by the city and primarily supports affordable housing and land acquisition efforts. Revenue collected in unincorporated Monroe County can be used throughout the Keys for conservation, affordable housing and density reduction.
Guerra said the agency recently wrapped up a particularly busy fiscal year and is now beginning a new budget cycle, which started October 1.
“I’m really proud of my team and all the work that we got done at the end of the fiscal year,” she said. “So we’re kind of starting at zero for our new budget.”
The Land Authority is working to secure new property purchase agreements and develop additional affordable housing projects.
One area seeing increased activity involves property owners seeking administrative relief after spending four years in the county’s Rate of Growth Ordinance, or ROGO, application process.
Those property owners can ask the Board of County Commissioners for relief, either through an allocation or an offer to purchase their property.
Guerra said there has been an uptick in those requests, particularly as the county awaits the next round of ROGO allocations, expected to begin next summer.
“There’s been a slight uptick in that activity, so we’re working with a lot of property owners trying to give them an alternative,” Guerra said. “They’re under no obligation to sell to us, but we put our best foot forward.”
Guerra emphasized that the agency is not looking to purchase property below market value.
The Land Authority uses independent appraisers to establish market-based property values and considers itself another potential buyer in the marketplace.
“I tell everybody that calls the Land Authority they should just consider us as another potential buyer out there in the marketplace,” she said.
She added that the agency works to avoid influencing market conditions and does not have an obligation to purchase every property.
“If we reach impasse with a seller, we just say thank you for their time, and move on to the next one,” Guerra said.
The purchasing process can also be relatively straightforward for sellers. The Land Authority generally absorbs most closing costs, with sellers responsible for documentary stamp taxes, any legal or real estate representation they choose and resolving title defects.
Guerra said selling to the agency is “pretty seamless and pretty easy.”
The Land Authority can typically close within 60 days after a purchase contract is in place, once the necessary advisory committee and governing board approvals have been obtained.
“We can usually close within 60 days of getting under a contract,” she said. “You’re not waiting for somebody to get a mortgage or financing, that kind of thing. It can be quicker and easier, and at the end, it’s a cash offer.”
The agency also continues to work with affordable housing organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the Key West and Monroe County housing authorities.
Under its partnership model with Habitat for Humanity, the Land Authority purchases buildable residential lots in established neighborhoods. Habitat then leases the property from the county, constructs a home and identifies the future residents.
Guerra said the arrangement has been successful.
“What works really well is that we will buy a buildable piece of land, you know, residential lot in a developed neighborhood, and they’ll come in and lease that property from the county, build the unit, and find the future residents for the property,” she explained.
Property owners interested in selling to the Monroe County Land Authority can contact the agency at 305-295-5180. Guerra noted that callers with general regulatory questions will typically be referred to the county’s Planning Department and Growth Management Division.
The agency is also recruiting for a land steward, a position responsible for helping manage properties after they have been acquired.
Guerra said the job description and application are posted on the Monroe County Land Authority’s website here: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/272/Land-Authority