Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Johns County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues in zoning with medium priority
Swimming pool lot-coverage allowance for small lots
Two homeowners asked to build pools five feet from their rear property lines instead of the required ten. Both won — one unanimously, one 5-1 — with members pressing whether financial motivations like resale value satisfy the legal hardship standard.
3025 Old Moultrie Road Rezone
Nearly 10 acres at Kings Estate and Old Moultrie roads — a trash-strewn homeless encampment for two decades — is headed toward commercial intensive zoning for storage and flex-industrial uses. Neighbors including a cemetery and daycare owner support it; conditions ban vape shops and Live Local density.
PVZAB membership vacancies and appointments
The board had two empty seats; two Ponte Vedra Beach volunteers were recommended to the County Commission. Chip Greene is stepping down and John Patton will serve until the board is full again.
Cell tower siting in Open Rural districts
Two towers, two outcomes: the 199-foot Colee Cove monopole was approved 3-2 despite a PZA denial recommendation, while the board unanimously denied the 180-foot St. Thomas Island Parkway tower after hearing neighbors' compatibility concerns.
Fruit Cove Baptist commercial rezoning and neighborhood concerns
Neighbors of 'the Patch' pasture opposed the 9.5-acre commercial rezoning, citing short notice, wildlife including bald eagles, and traffic on two-lane CR 16A. The board approved unanimously after the applicant detailed prohibited uses and buffers.
St. Johns Commons Commercial rezone
A 9.16-acre rezone to Commercial General was recommended after a prior 20.87-acre land donation to the water management district won neighborhood support.
Replacement mobile home at 198 Aiken Street
A property owner wants to replace a dilapidated 1980 mobile home with a newer used model on a small non-conforming lot near West King Street. It's about keeping an existing residence livable while matching the mixed mobile-home and single-family character of the area.
Alcohol-distance rules keep coming up case by case
The county's 40-year-old 1,000-foot buffer between alcohol sales and churches/schools may change. Members lean toward changing how distance is measured, adding daycares, and fixing a gap that left liquor stores and bars with no legal variance path.
Shofner Property Land Use Change
A family wants one house allowed on 16 acres off CR 208, but neighbor Tom Bell alleges the owners granted themselves an illegal access easement across his land. The county attorney steered the board to decide land use only, leaving the easement fight to civil court.
110 Overlook Drive stairway setback variance
A homeowner built exterior stairs within about 20 inches of the side property line without a permit, originally for Airbnb access. The board denied the variance, so the stairs will likely have to come down unless the owners appeal to the County Commission.
St. Augustine Airport East rezone
The St. Augustine Airport wants 23 acres rezoned for a phased hangar development near Gun Club Road, backed by state and federal grants. Neighbors' main concerns were drainage impacts on Redfish Creek and Canopy Hall Drive, which staff said would be mitigated.
Aspinwall accessory family unit variance denial
A family wanted a 600 sq ft pool house 10 feet off A1A on a narrow through lot; the board said the hardship was self-created. Neighbors raised flooding, sight-line and privacy worries.
Mobile home special use permit in West Augustine
A homeowner sought a special use permit to place a manufactured/mobile home in an RS-3 single-family zone at 1015 West 15th Street.