St. Johns County can celebrate a big victory this week! There is finally a conclusion in sight for the Grand Oaks legal battle.
This is an issue that has been lurking out there for YEARS! But most recently, we can look back at the February 21, 2023 County Commissioner’s Meeting as a reminder for why it is important to have forward thinking County Commissioner’s on the dais.
Here’s a link to my summary of the February 21, 2023 Commissioner’s Meeting, where Grand Oaks first came to the attention of those residents not directly impacted by the problems. February 21, 2023 Meeting Summary.
Scroll down to Agenda Item 2 in the summary and you’ll see where Southeast Development Partners were requesting to revise the mitigation and Proportionate Fair Share Agreements from July of 2018 when the Grand Oaks PUD was approved. The agreement included a requirement to construct the 4-lane widening of SR 16 from San Giacomo to the eastern (main) entrance to the Grand Oaks development, approximately 3.1 miles.
Now, 5 years later, the developer was unhappy with the cost to construct that widening and wanted some relief from the county. They had completed the construction of the FIRST 442 of the 99 approved homes and were ready to move forward with the platting of the remainder of the homes. That couldn’t happen until they had completed the required road widening.
Up until 2023, the only people paying attendtion to what this developer was doing were the Grand Oaks residents, who were living in a partially built development and dealing with the traffic problems on SR 16. And, of course, the residents who had to commute on SR 16. The rest of the county was unaware of what was happening in that development.
Learn more about Grand Oaks at this link: Grand Oaks Description/Location
But, in February of 2023, those of us who pay attention to what our County Commissioners are doing became VERY aware as the developer tried to avoid paying for the widening of the road and push it back on the county.
Our County Commissioners didn’t allow it. They voted to find the Developer in default and denied the platting for the remaining homes. In addition, they voted to transfer the $5 Million that had been held in escrow to the Florida Department of Transportation to fund the design work for the widening of SR 16.
A month after that decision, the developer filed suit against the county in Circuit Court. The County countersued and thus began the legal battle that played out in the courts since that time.
As reported in the Jacksonville Business Journal on September 14, a Federal Judge has ruled in the County’s favor. JAX Biz Journal ariticle (behind a paywall.)
County Commission Chair Sarah Arnold was quoted in the article as saying, “Friday’s Federal Court ruling reaffirmed what our Board has believed from the start: in St. Johns County, promises made to our residents are promises that must be kept,” County Commission Chair Sarah Arnold said in a statement. “This developer’s attempt to change the terms years later was a betrayal of trust, and we stood firm for our community.
“Let this serve as a clear message to developer or any one-else coming before our Board: When you commit to something for the people of St. Johns County, we expect you to honor it. We will always hold you accountable if you break your word, because our residents deserve nothing less.”
This is an important win for the County. This sends a clear message to the development community that they will be held to their commitments.
And it should be a message to our residents that our County Commissioners will hold developers accountable.
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Beth Tate 