PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — The City of Port St. Lucie has approved the purchase of over 100 acres of land from St. Lucie Public Schools for more than $11 million, with plans to convert the property into green space. The move comes as some residents express concern that the city is experiencing too much rapid growth.

The school district deemed the two land plots, which are currently largely untouched, as surplus property and sold them to the city. While a final decision has not been made, the city has confirmed the land will not be used for housing and will instead become conservation land, a green space, or a future park.

According to Mayor Shannon Martin, the price is well worth it, as the purchase delivers on a promise to residents.

“Our residents asked for more green space, so we’re making sure that we’re continuing that promise and purchasing land that we can for conservation, green space, or future parkland,” she said.

The approval for the land purchase comes just after the city denied a housing development that would have added 850 new units to the area.

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Mayor Martin highlighted the risk that the land would be sold to a developer if the city had not intervened. “Now, had the school district not sold them to the city, and put them back out on the market, those properties were right in the heart of residential neighborhoods, and the school district could’ve sold those properties to a developer.”

Some residents feel the city needs to slow its growth.

Daniel Della-Giustina, who lives across from one of the plots, said he supports the city’s decision. “I think we need all the green space we can get, as a matter of fact, we like this particular lot because of the green space across the street.”

The exact timeline for any development of these areas remains unknown, but the inspection and closing are expected to take around four months.

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