Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Johns County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
28 issues with low priority
Pavilion rear setback variance at 228 Gnarled Oaks Drive
A homeowner needed relief from the 40-foot rear setback to cover his outdoor kitchen with a pavilion on a shallow, narrow lot near A1A. The board found the cul-de-sac lot's shape justified the hardship and approved it.
Wrecker and Towing Ordinance 2015-50 rates
Tow operators said 2015-era non-consensual towing rates don't cover fuel, insurance, and wages that have doubled or tripled. The board directed staff to review amending Ordinance 2015-50.
Vilano Boat Ramp repair funding
The board quietly accepted $500,000 from the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District to repair and stabilize the Vilano Boat Ramp.
Public art program and Historic Coast Mural Trail
A $30,000 line item for historical statues drew a procedural fight — one member objected to how it landed in the budget without a vote. The council reached consensus to keep it in the Category 2 recommendation, with the chair agreeing to seek an Attorney General opinion on the funding's legality.
Charles Street garage variance denied again
Third denial of a four-foot setback for a two-story garage on a narrow lot; neighbors called it self-imposed hardship out of character with the historic one-lane beach neighborhood.
Setback relief for residential additions
Five homeowner variance cases tested setback, fence-height and accessory-unit rules in St. Johns County neighborhoods — from a staircase five feet from a property line to a pool on a through lot and an oversized accessory apartment.
Shoppes at Mill Creek Forest retail conversion
A traffic-neutral swap of 120,000 square feet of office entitlement for 41,500 square feet of retail in the northwest sector was recommended for approval.
Censure motion against Commissioner Whitehurst
Commissioner Joseph moved to censure Whitehurst for forcing the special meeting, but the motion died without a second.
Atlantic View setback variance
A homeowner needs a small variance — 23 feet instead of 25 — to cover an existing third-floor deck with an aluminum patio cover at 5349 Atlantic View.
Palmetto boat ramp right-of-way obstruction
Commissioner Joseph showed photos of construction materials blocking the boat ramp and got board consensus for weekly staff checks of the right-of-way.
Elevation Pointe PUD signage variances (Chase Bank and Circle K)
Two businesses along State Road 16 want more wall signs than the Elevation Pointe Planned Unit Development allows. The cases test how flexible the county will be with sign rules in a master-planned commercial center.
Deck variance at 103 Sandcastle Lane
Homeowners on a 0.09-acre townhome lot in Ponte Vedra Shores West want to build a deck just 2 feet from the side property line, far below normal setback and lot-size rules. It's a common Coastal-lot squeeze between homeowner plans and neighborhood spacing standards.
Annual review cycle may delay at-risk properties
Board member Beth Tate raised concerns that the once-a-year submission of the acquisition list to county commissioners could cause the county to lose high-value properties whose owners won't wait. County attorney staff noted the list can be submitted more often, but any resubmission must include the entire list.
Sports tourism grant policy
Twelve sports events will receive grant funding for October through March, including four first-time grantees, as staff works to diversify the county's sports event lineup.
A1A South residential setback variances
The third in a row of similar variances letting a homeowner put a pool 10 feet from an unopened right-of-way; approved 6-1.
Taco Bell signage variance on CR 210 West
A new Taco Bell near the I-95/CR 210 interchange wanted more than double the normal wall sign area; the board approved it 5-2 after requiring removal of a rear sign.
Sip Out Loud Inaugural Event
Council member Irving Kass is personally underwriting a $45,000 upscale wine, food, and music event on September 24 to fill the county's slow season and expand the Sing Out Loud brand year-round. He asked the council to consider funding future editions as public-private partnerships.
Avenue C easement concerns at Tatum duplex site
Longtime resident Don McGibb worried vacation-rental traffic will use the unmaintained Avenue C utility easement; he supports a walk-through gate but not vehicle use.
Porpoise Point water interconnect fee dispute
Homeowners are paying half the cost of an emergency water connection to the county's North Shore system, but the county declined to waive its administrative fee, which they say amounts to about 16 cents per ratepayer. The interlocal addendum passed on consent without the waiver.
Arapaho Avenue parcel fails scoring threshold
A 5.1-acre wooded parcel near US 1 scored 44, under the 50 points needed to advance. Parks staff said a similar passive park already exists nearby at Waldron/San Sebastian Park.
Front yard setback variance at 507 Third Street
A builder asked for a variance to build a single-family home with a 15-foot front setback instead of the required 25 feet.
Tourist Development Council Appointment
One accommodations-seat vacancy on the TDC; of ten applicants, only William Ackland qualified, so the board was set to appoint him to a term ending June 2030.
203 Canal Boulevard Variance Appeal
A homeowner appealed the Planning and Zoning Agency's unanimous denial of a variance to let an accessory structure's eave stand taller than the main house at 203 Canal Boulevard.
County Attorney contract supermajority clause
A proposed contract amendment would require a 4-1 supermajority vote to fire the county attorney absent cause, plus raises tied to county employees. Commissioner Joseph flagged transparency and cost questions and wants an Attorney General opinion before any vote.
Potential shipbuilding industry and airport authority legislative change
Officials floated a long-shot economic development idea: with legislative changes possibly coming to the airport authority, military shipbuilding contractors could be recruited — but it would require hundreds of millions in dredging and navigation infrastructure.
Black Heritage Trail
An update on the Black Heritage Trail project was scheduled, highlighting African American history as a cultural tourism draw in St. Johns County.
E. Ashland Avenue residential rezoning
A little over half an acre on E. Ashland Avenue was slated for rezoning to allow one single-family home — a small change with neighborhood-level effect.
Setback variance for Beachcomber Way home addition
A homeowner on a non-conforming lot wants to build an addition with a 7'6" second front yard setback instead of the required 15 feet. It's a property-rights question on a lot that predates current rules.