First, welcome to the many new readers and subscribers gained over the last 2 weeks! I’m grateful for your support and encouragement to continue reporting.
And second, we send good wishes to Commissioner Joseph who has returned to the dais after a recent health scare. You can read more about her experience here and her advocacy of early cancer screenings here: Article on Commissioner Joseph’s Health Scare
The October 7 BOCC meeting was one of the shorter ones in recent months. As the day started, Commissioner Whitehurst asked for a moment of silence recognizing the tragic death of Flagler County’s Deputy County Administrator and his wife, Jorge and Nancy Salinas, in an automobile accident last Saturday night.
Starting off the day was a Proclamation recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and one that always makes me happy to see, a Proclamation recognizing National 4-H Week! 4-H was one of the great parts of my childhood. Our leaders were so influential on us as young people that at one time my career aspiration was to be an Extension Agent working with 4-H Clubs myself. I’m so happy to see it is still an important part of guiding young people in their development.
Following Proclamations there were no changes to the Consent Agenda.
Regular Agenda Items
Items 1 & 2 – Hyde Park PUD
“Request for a Major Modification to the Hyde Park PUD (Ord. 2009-42, as amended) to clarify allowed uses, add prohibited uses, increase building heights, allow fencing, clarify signage, correct typographical errors, update phasing, and update the Master Development Plan (MDP) Text to reflect all proposed changes. The site is located at US Highway 1 South and Faver Dykes Road. The Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA) heard this request at their regularly scheduled public hearing on August 21, 2025. The Agency recommended approval with the condition that the phasing paragraph in the MDP Text be revised to ensure compliance. The motion to approve received a vote of 4-3 in favor. Support was made by members Perkins, Matovina, Green, and Spiegel. Dissenting votes were cast by Hilsenbeck, Labanowski, and Olson. Discussion included topics such as phasing, central utility access, the current development trends in the area, the presence of gopher burrows, the proposed increase in building heights, temporary uses, prohibited uses, and compatibility. More information can be found within the staff report.”
This is a request for modification to a PUD that was approved in 2009.
The changes requested are:
- To clarify/add allowed uses
- Temporary seasonal sales
- Temporary display and sales vendors
- Other similar uses
- To add prohibited uses
- Adult Uses
- Vape Shops (added based on PZA recommendation 8/21/25)
- To increase non-residential building heights to 45 feet
- To allow fencing within the Residential area
- To clarify allowed signage
- To allow road improvements (alleys, decorative roads, roundabouts, etc.)
- To allow clearing, grading, and agricultural activities
- Correct typographical errors throughout the text
- Extend the phasing; the PUD is currently active (revision provided based on PZA 8/21/25)
- Update the MDP Text for all proposed changes
Both requests were denied 4-1 (Whitehurst)
Agenda items 3 – 4 NEQ Townhomes
“Request to modify the St. Johns Development of Regional Impact (“DRI”) Development Order (Resolution No. 1991-130, as amended), revising the Land Use Exchange Table to accommodate for a proposed 295 townhome units by increasing the maximum number of allowed residential units via conversion of Industrial entitlements, revise maps, update prior unit conversions, revise transportation mitigation, and update phasing expiration dates based on recent Development Order extensions pursuant to Section 252.363, Florida Statutes. This is a companion application to MAJMOD 2025-02. Located at the Intersection of International Golf Parkway and Interstate 95. This request was heard by the Planning and Zoning Agency at their regularly scheduled public hearing on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and was unanimously recommended for approval by a vote of 6-0, Member Matovina was absent from this meeting. There was a discussion among PZA members, the applicant team, and local residents regarding the potential traffic impacts of the proposed development, as well as the effectiveness of buffering and screening measures.”
This was approved 3-2 (Joseph, Taylor)
Agenda Item 5 – 155 West Genung Street
“Request to rezone approximately 10.86 acres from Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Residential Single Family (RS-2) to Open Rural (OR), located at 155 West Genung Street. The Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA) heard this request at their regularly scheduled public hearing on September 4, 2025. The Agency recommended approval with a vote of 6-0. Support was made by members Perkins, Hilsenbeck, Green, Spiegel, Labanowski, and Olson. Member Matovina was absent. Discussion at the hearing was limited. Public comments expressed support for the project, including appreciation to the applicant for their decision not to develop 15 homes on the site. An Agency member highlighted the scenic qualities of the property and noted that the decision to recommend was straightforward.”
This was one of the easiest votes in awhile – a couple wishing to preserve their land and prevent commercial development in the area. Approved Unanimously.
Agenda Items 6 & 7 – Elam Family Legacy – a request for a Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the Future Land Use Map designation of approximately 5.74 acres of land from Rural/Silviculture (R/S) to Residential-A (Res-A), with a site-specific Text Amendment limiting the number of residential uses allowed on the subject property to a maximum four (4) single-family residential dwelling units.
We’ve seen a request related to this property previously as noted in the application.
“This is a request to amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation from Rural/Silviculture (R/S) to Residential-A (RES-A) for property located on Pine Island Road. The property contains approximately 5.74 total acres. The applicant is providing a text amendment to limit the site to a maximum of four (4) dwelling units. The summary provided states the property will be divided into four lots, and each will be developed with a single-family home. The applicant’s full Summary is included in Attachment 2 – Supporting Documents. The subject property has been previously approved for a Non-Zoning Variance (NZVAR 2024-19) by the Board of County Commissioners to provide relief from fines and other penalties imposed due to violations of the Land Development Code Sections 4.01.05.E.3.a, b, f, and g regarding the removal of protected trees without a permit. The applicant is requesting another Non-Zoning Variance (NZVAR 2025-15) for relief from Subdivision, Platting, Roadway Improvements, Easement, and Stormwater Management requirements as stated LDC Sections 5.01.01.C.1, 6.04.07.M.1, 6.04.07.B.2.(a), and 6.02.09. That request is currently scheduled for the Tuesday, October 7th meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, and will be dependent upon the Board’s approval of this request.”
After much discussion Commissioner Murphy made a motion to approve the variance request. It was not seconded and therefore failed. Commissioner Whitehurst then motioned to continue the discussion to the October 21 meeting. That motion passed 4:1 (Murphy)
Direction was given to meet with the neighbors prior to the next meeting.
Agenda Item 8 – Confirmation of Christine Valliere as the Economic Development Director. Ms. Valliere is a returning St.Johns County employee having served in the Legal Counsel office for many years. This was approved unanimously.
Commissioners Reports
Commissioner Whitehurst – Provided a report out on the Florida Association of Counties 2025 Innovation and Policy Conference held in Alachua County. He was particularly impressed with an Indoor Athletic Facility that had been built and paid for by tourism dollars. He is going to be pursuing the possibility to do something similar in St. Johns County. He is also interested in pursuing an idea of making executive staff have information exempt from public record requests because of some of the rising vitriol and threats against public figures. He then asked Public Affairs to run a couple of film clips from the September 16 County Commissioner Meeting. He shared concerns about social media posting leading to increasing political violence across the country and shared a post advocating violence against our public officials. He wanted to reiterate that we should not be tolerating mis-statements or encouragement of violence against public officials.
You can watch the full report from Commissioner Whitehurst at this link: Commissioner Whitehurst’s Comments
Commissioner Arnold shared information about the new Children’s Resiliency Impact initiative for improving the lives of children in St. Johns County. You can learn more about this initiative here: Children’s Advocacy Group Announcement
Commissioner Taylor offered prayers for Commissioner Joseph and talked again about SB180 that is “handcuffing” our county and preventing home rule. She again asked fellow Commissioners to consider joining the lawsuit against enactment of SB 180. Commissioner Arnold asked if there had been outreach to our state legislators who had all voted for SB180. Commissioner Taylor indicated that when she reached out to Representative Kendall, she shared that she did not know about that last second addition to the bill before she voted on it. Commissioner Taylor stated that Representative Kendall “had no idea this was stripping away home rule.”
Commissioner Whitehurst indicted he did not want to join the lawsuit, primarily because by the time a lawsuit made it’s way through the judicial system, the law would be sunsetted. He also indicated that if Representative Kendall is opposed to the law, the county can ask the legislative delegation to repeal the law.
Commissioner Murphy has been contacting Representatives Sapp and Greco to talk about the repeal or change of SB180. He agreed with Commissioner Whitehurst that a lawsuit would be too drawn out and cuts the legs off for our Representatives. He wants to give our Legislators an opportunity to do something about this in the next session.
Commissioner Taylor also shared about a Nights of Lights informational meeting that was held to discuss the going forward plans to address traffic and parking for the next Nights of Lights event.
You can watch her comments and the discussion here: Commissioner Taylor Comments
Commissioner Murphy shared about the Every Bottle Back program for recycling of plastic bottles from the Florida Beverage Association. He asked for and received consensus for County staff to explore this further. Learn more about the program here: Every Bottle Back
He also raised the topic of the septic to sewer issue in Treasure Beach. Consensus was granted for staff to look into this further.
Lastly he brought up the topic of the Leash Law and how it impacts training of dogs. He asked for future discussion of a possible change.
Commissioner Joseph brought up a request from the Ponte Vedra Condo Association about a pedestrian bridge they maintain. They would like to see changes to their agreement with the county prior to making these repairs. Consensus was given for staff to look at possible changes. And she added thanks for all the cards and prayers.
If you are finding value in these updates, please subscribe to my blog so you get notifications when I publish an update. Feel free to share with others who may find value in the content.
Beth Tate 