American Environmental Consulting initially completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at this citrus grove in Lake County, Florida. The grove is less than 0.25 miles east of Lake Louisa and is approximately 6 miles south of downtown Clermont. The Phase I ESA encompassed +/- 24 acres which is a portion of a larger +/-53.41 acre citrus grove. A cell tower compound is also located on this section of the grove.

In anticipation of acquiring the +/-24 acre parcel of the grove, AdventHealth, a faith-based, non-profit health care system, began their due diligence process and retained AEC to conduct a Phase I ESA. AEC’s scope involved all appropriate inquiry including, but not limited to, a site reconnaissance, owner and user interviews, examination of historical aerial photographs, and records review.

Although the Phase I ESA did not identify any suspect recognized environmental conditions (RECs), pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are commonly used in the agricultural industry. Prior to the 1980’s, most agrochemicals contained heavy metals and chlorinated compounds. Because Coastal Ridge Grove property involves redevelopment with human impact, it was AEC’s opinion that assessment of potential agrochemical impacts to surficial soil was warranted.

In late 2021, AEC conducted a limited Phase II ESA. AEC’s scope of work included sampling and laboratory analysis of surficial soils in order to determine if adverse environmental impacts exceeded the State of Florida’s current Soil Cleanup Target Levels (SCTLs). No adverse impacts were found.

AdventHealth purchased the subject property and has tentative plans to build a new hospital and free-standing emergency room.