Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Johns County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues 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.
Affordable housing land inventory
A CARE representative introduced the community land trust model — where a nonprofit owns land and leases it to affordable-home buyers — as a new tool to keep homes affordable in perpetuity, and said the group will brief each commissioner.
Live Local Act tax exemption opt-out
Whitehurst won board consensus for the county to opt out of the Live Local Act property tax exemption for market-rate multifamily projects — a decision that affects how much affordable housing incentive developers get.
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.
Early Voting Information
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Affordable housing need
CARE advocates urged the county to use zoning incentives and conditions on rezonings to win more affordable housing, and to set annual unit goals.
Tractor Supply on State Road 16
An 8-acre rezone from Open Rural to Commercial Intensive was scheduled for consideration at a growing State Road 16 corridor, with recommendations forwarded to the county commissioners.
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.