Florida Record
St. Johns County
Critical PriorityDevelopmentopen

Agricultural enclave certifications and northwest growth

Summary

The board certified two enclaves — Carter Road (200 acres) and Pacetti Oaks (40 acres) — over opposition, and put the Star IV application on hold until November 3. The Adler Creek request was withdrawn.

At a glance

Total mentions
15
Last 30 days
1

Discussed at 3 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 20, 2026.

Impact analysis

💰Financial impact

Certification is not development approval, but could open hundreds of acres to future residential density.

✅Who benefits

Landowners gain a path to develop remnant agricultural parcels.

⚠️Who could be affected

Nearby residents objecting to traffic, schools, and environmental impacts of potential future subdivisions.

Mentions & discussions (9)

MeetingOct 20, 2026

Board of County Commissioners - Oct 20, 2026

The board certified two enclaves — Carter Road (200 acres) and Pacetti Oaks (40 acres) — over opposition, and put the Star IV application on hold until November 3. The Adler Creek request was withdrawn.

MeetingSep 28, 2026denied

Special Board of County Commissioners - Sep 28, 2026

Two large ag-enclave certifications — about 615 acres east of I-95 and about 551 acres west — that could clear the way for thousands of homes near SR 207. The Board reversed its August approvals after a legal challenge to whether the land is truly surrounded by an urban service area.

MeetingSep 15, 2026

Board of County Commissioners - Sep 15, 2026

A new Florida law lets landowners bypass normal zoning if their land qualifies as an ag enclave; the county has faced 15 applications in about 2.5 months. Commissioners denied the biggest (4,462 acres in Palm Valley), approved the 310-acre AFI site, and will reconsider two earlier approvals.

MeetingSep 1, 2026

Board of County Commissioners - Sep 1, 2026

A request to certify 4,462 acres north of Nocatee Parkway as an agricultural enclave would fast-track development of one of Northeast Florida's largest undeveloped tracts. The Board deadlocked 2-3 on both denial and approval, then voted 3-2 to fight the state law in court.

MeetingAug 19, 2026

Board of County Commissioners - Aug 19, 2026

A new state law lets developers fast-track certification of large tracts as agricultural enclaves, limiting county control before development applications are filed. Residents packed the hearing to oppose all three requests, arguing the statute was tailor-made for these developments.

MeetingAug 18, 2026

Board of County Commissioners - Aug 18, 2026

The board is weighing whether to sue the state over the agricultural enclave law, which developers are using to claim they can build on land surrounded by development. The county attorney reported two law firms are interested but standing is uncertain; defending a denial may be stronger than a proactive injunction.

MeetingAug 6, 2026

Planning and Zoning Agency - Aug 6, 2026

SB 208 will force counties to allow manufactured homes by right in residential zones starting January 1, and SB 686 lets rural landowners get certified as agricultural enclaves with the density of their neighbors — six huge applications (up to 4,400 acres) hit the county this month.

MeetingAug 4, 2026

Board of County Commissioners - Aug 4, 2026

The state law is limiting the county's home rule over agricultural enclave designations, and residents packed the room urging a court challenge. The board stopped short of suing but agreed to get a legal viability and cost analysis first.

MeetingJul 21, 2026

Board of County Commissioners - Jul 21, 2026

A new state law fast-tracks development on agricultural land without normal local hearings. Six applications covering 5,400 acres — including previously denied projects — already landed within days, potentially adding 32,000 homes. Residents are demanding the county sue.

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