Board ratifies 153-acre Bulo Creek preservation effort amid ongoing concerns about Summertown development and flooding
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners held its final regular meeting of 2025 on December 15, addressing land conservation efforts, affordable housing recommendations, beach management updates, and committee assignments for the coming year. The meeting began with a moment of silence acknowledging the passing of Baker County Commissioner James Bennett, who died in a car accident while traveling to work in Jacksonville.
Fire Rescue Life Saving Awards
Fire Chief Mike Tucker presented life-saving awards to Flagler County Fire Rescue personnel. Rescue Supervisor Bo Crutoff and Paramedic Firefighter Dominic Mercurio received recognition for saving a bicyclist on the Lehigh Trail who had gone into cardiac arrest. The two responders ran approximately half a mile with their equipment to reach the patient, where bystanders were already performing CPR. The crew achieved return of spontaneous circulation and transported the patient to the hospital with a successful outcome.
Lieutenant Jake Gonzalez also received a life-saving award for his response to a cardiac arrest call at a Publix store in Volusia County, where Station 16 operates under a cooperative agreement. Tucker emphasized the importance of citizen CPR and AED use in both incidents.
“Without those efforts of these two individuals in particular, this family would have had an entirely different Christmas this year,” Tucker said of the Lehigh Trail rescue.
Bulow Creek Land Acquisition Ratified
The commission unanimously ratified a Florida Forever boundary amendment application to acquire approximately 153 acres of floodplain within the Summertown project area near Bulow Creek. The motion passed with all commissioners voting in favor.
County Environmental Planner Eric Relta explained that the acquisition would protect habitats on the Bulow Creek flood plain, including floodplain swamp, hydric hammock, and riparian uplands adjacent to the creek. The protected area includes the headwaters of Bulow Creek, which is designated as an outstanding Florida water that flows into the Tomoka Aquatic Preserve.
According to Relta, the acquisition would protect approximately 26.63 acres of riparian habitat and 141.9 acres of 100-year flood plain. The original development plans for the site would have included 73 single-family residential lots in the area proposed for conservation.
Commissioner Andy Dance and Commissioner Leann Pennington both expressed that while the acquisition is welcome, more land protection is needed. “It’s not enough,” Pennington said, though she acknowledged they would accept what was negotiated with the willing seller.
The Acquisition and Restoration Council will review the application at its February 13 meeting. Relta noted the county could also proceed with its own Environmental Sensitive Lands funds without waiting for Florida Forever.
Public Comment on Summertown Development
Multiple residents spoke during public comment about concerns regarding the proposed Summertown development near Bulo Creek. Attorney John Tanner, representing the nonprofit Preserve Flagler Beach and Bulow Creek, reminded commissioners that a 2019 town hall on the project drew more than 330 attendees who rejected initial plans for approximately 3,966 dwelling units.
“The health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the county are certainly one of the primary concerns of this commission,” Tanner said. “And the proposed development on the east and west sides puts a genuine health and safety, welfare, quality of life, and quality of the neighborhood in jeopardy.”
Residents raised concerns about flooding, traffic on John Anderson Highway, and the impact of filling wetlands. Several speakers noted that John Anderson Highway is a state-designated scenic roadway that cannot easily accommodate increased traffic.
Marsha Tanner, a 55-year county resident, expressed concern about the development’s proposed density. “We think it’s a nice development. It’s just in the wrong place,” she said.
Corey Bowman, vice president of Local 4337 representing Flagler County firefighters, spoke in support of County Administrator Heidi Petito’s leadership, citing progress in equipment investments, mental health programs, new fire stations, and the recent recruitment of 25 firefighter candidates for testing.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Report Accepted
The commission unanimously accepted the 2025 annual report from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, which included seven recommendations. Committee Chair Valerie Clymer presented the report, noting that teachers, firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and frontline healthcare workers cannot afford local rents and are often priced out of home ownership.
The recommendations included formalizing ongoing AHAC review of housing cost impacts, developing a process for reviewing publicly owned lands for affordable housing suitability, establishing representation for community land trust initiatives, evaluating voluntary incentive-based inclusionary zoning, expanding local incentives for affordable housing, developing an accessory dwelling unit ordinance, and establishing a local affordable housing trust fund.
Commissioner Dance moved to accept the report with follow-up from growth management at upcoming workshops. “I encourage you to support what we’re doing in AHAC,” Dance said. “Palm Coast has to buy into this as well.”
The commission directed staff to return with more detailed implementation plans at a future workshop.
Beach Management Plan Update
County Engineer Hamit Tabasian provided updates on the beach management program, with particular focus on obtaining easements for the Reach 2 project. Commissioners expressed urgency about securing the approximately 30 outstanding easements needed for the project.
Commissioner Dance requested regular updates on easement procurement progress, comparing the situation to establishing a “war room” for daily assessment. He also shared information about Fort Myers’ online easement system that allows property owners to grant easements through a GIS-linked web portal.
Steve Koontz and David Ebert spoke about concerns regarding infrastructure funding and the importance of completing beach nourishment projects. Greg Davis, president of Hammock Dunes Owners Association, urged continued progress while noting that fact-finding is still underway.
“My hair is not on fire,” Davis said. “This is just fact-finding at this point. Once the facts are known, then we can start focusing on what the alternatives are out there.”
Consent Agenda and Other Business
The commission approved the consent agenda except item 7G, the procurement manual, which was pulled for discussion. Commissioner Kim Carney asked questions about training procedures for department directors on procurement policies.
The consent agenda included a resolution supporting Senate Bill 636, which could provide additional state support for beach management efforts. Commissioner Dance thanked Commissioner Carney for proposing the resolution.
The commission also approved the 2026 committee and advisory board assignments. Commissioner Pam Richardson was elected chair of the Value Adjustment Board by unanimous vote.
County Administrator Petito announced the launch of a new beach management webpage at www.Flagler-County-Beach-Brief.com, designed to provide updates on the county’s beach management plan progress. She also announced that Flagler County has been selected to receive a regional award recognizing conservation efforts, with the ceremony scheduled for January 8 at the Northeast Florida Regional Council.
County Attorney Direction on Annexation
The County Attorney sought direction from the commission regarding the county’s position at Flagler Beach’s upcoming city commission meeting on the Summertown annexation. The commission provided consensus for the county to continue presenting its concerns about the annexation, including comprehensive plan issues, density, and traffic, while preserving legal arguments.
Holiday Announcements
Commissioners wished residents happy holidays, with county offices scheduled to close December 25-26 for Christmas and January 1-2 for New Year’s. The next commission workshop is scheduled for January 12 at 1 p.m., with the regular meeting at 5 p.m. the same day.
Beverly Beach Mayor John Emett thanked the commission for the interlocal agreement allowing the county to serve as the town’s building official, calling it “absolutely the best thing to ever happen to our little town.”
Vote Summary
The consent agenda passed unanimously, minus item 7G. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee report was accepted unanimously. The Florida Forever boundary amendment application for the 153-acre Bulow Creek property was ratified unanimously. Commissioner Pam Richardson was elected Value Adjustment Board chair unanimously. Item 7G, the procurement manual, was approved unanimously following discussion.
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