I’ve been away for a break but back to providing updates on the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioner’s Meetings.
The County Public Relations staff has been doing an excellent job of publicizing the Commissioner’s Meetings and making them available not only through the County GTV but also broadcasting on social media.
It is so important, especially this year, an election year, to get your information about what is discussed directly from the meetings. I strive to always share with you the direct links to the information so you can watch and hear for yourself what was said. No filter, no bias. I’ll continue to do that throughout 2026.
The May 5 meeting opened with several Proclamations:
- Recognizing George Ceccanese and William West for reaching their 100th birthdays!
- National Correctional Officers and Employees Week 2026
- 41 Years of Hope through St. Gerard Campus
- Juror Appreciation Month
- Foster Parent Appreciation Month
Watch the heartwarming recognitions here: Proclamations
Regular Agenda Items
Agenda Item #1 – Outpost at Old Moultrie Administrative Interpretation Appeal
This item has been trending high on social media for St. Augustine and the southern part of the County for a few weeks.
This is an “Appeal of Administrative Interpretation Letter ADMI 2026-01 regarding whether the subject parcel constitutes a lawfully developed or previously developed commercial site, whether mobile food vendors qualify as a permitted accessory use, and whether any specific provision of the Land Development Code requires a previously developed commercial site to undergo full redevelopment or site plan approval as a prerequisite.”
In short, the owner of the property had been operating a location with food trucks and current interpretation of the Land Development Code had caused the location to be shut down. A special magistrate was appointed to review the decision and ruled the county was correct to shut the location down. This morning’s hearing was to appeal the ruling.
Background Materials are here: Agenda Item 1
This was a complicated situation and emotions around the decision have been running high. While all the Commissioners expressed a desire to get the business back in operations, there were differences in how to best accomplish that goal.
Rather than rely on soundbites or social media interpretations of what happened at the meeting, I encourage you to listen to the discussion among the Commissioners before their vote at this link: Commissioner Discussion on Agenda Item 1
The Appeal was upheld and the ruling overturned by a 3:2 vote (Murphy, Joseph voting no)
Commissioner Whitehurst followed up with a motion for staff to work to update the LDC to not require paved parking spots for food trucks, not just at this parcel, but for any other similar uses. Commissioner Taylor asked if something could be added for temporary usage. Growth Management Director Roberson shared that there IS a provision for temporary usage that can be applied.
The motion was clarified that the staff is being asked to come up with wording that recognizes Food Trucks are separate from other Commercial structures.
That motion passed 5:0.
You can watch the entire presentation and discussion here:
Full Agenda Item 1 presentation and discussion
Regular Agenda Item 2 – Golfway Center PUD – this was a “Request for a Major Modification to the Golfway Centre PUD (Ordinance 1997-67, as amended) to revise the MDP Map and MDP Text to allow the remaining development to occur on the property as either Commercial Retail and Commercial Office uses; revise the phasing schedule to a single 10- year phase; add Church and Large Places of Assembly as allowable uses; allow details of future buildings and associated development to be shown on Incremental MDP Maps; and eliminate the requirement to preserve the isolated wetland on site.The Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA) heard this request at their regularly scheduled public hearing on April 2, 2026. The Agency recommended approval with a vote of 7-0. During the hearing, there were discussions regarding the traffic impacts to International Golf Parkway and impacts to the remaining wetlands located onsite.”
They requested 5 updates:
- 221,032 sq ft of already approved Commercial Retail and Office uses to be located anywhere within the PUD.
- Remove development acreage
- Eliminate the requirement ot presereve the isolated wetland on site
- Add Church and large Places of Assembly as allowable uses
- Single 10 year Phase
After presentation and discussion at the Board, a motion was made to deny the request. That was approved 3-2, Whitehurst and Arnold voting no.
Regular Agenda Item 3 – Enclave at World Golf – “On August 5, 2025, the Board denied John Troy and Buffie Marie Hilberts’ request to rezone approximately 18.5 acres of land from Planned Unit Development (PUD) to Workforce Housing (WH). The property is located at 3740 Pacetti Road. The Hilberts filed a request for relief from the denial under the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act (“FLUEDRA”). FLUEDRA provides a means to potentially resolve disputes pre-suit through a special magistrate mediation and hearing process. The FLUEDRA special magistrate mediation occurred on October 29, 2025. During the mediation, the Hilberts presented a plan to reduce the number of units in their proposed development. The parties agreed that, contingent on Board approval, the Hilberts could proceed to a public hearing on their revised proposal. If the Board does not approve scheduling a new rezoning hearing, the parties will proceed to a public FLUEDRA special magistrate hearing regarding the August 2025 rezoning denial.”
The presentation and vote can be found here: Agenda Item 2
This was not a rezoning request but a consideration of whether to schedule it for a rezoning hearing or allow it to continue to a FLUEDRA hearing. No action was taken by the Board so it will continue to a public FLUEDRA hearing.
Regular Agenda Item 4 – Appointment the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) – Tom Turner was appointed to the AHAC with a unanimous vote
Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Arnold brought forth complaints being raised aboutstreet parking in Silverleaf and impacton school bus drop-offs. She requested and received consensus for staff to meet with SJSO and the School District to come up with solutions.
Commissioner Joseph recognized the loss of a long time employee at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Lodge, Sidey Austin. He was a part of the community and his loss is felt. She also brought up concerns about Home Rule. She referenced comments from Commissioner Whitehurst at a previous meeting and asked to form a task force to push back on home rule. As part of establishing the task force, she suggested firing the Lobbying firm, The Florida Group, because she felt they have not done enough to bring these type of bills to the attention of the Commissioners. She indicated that the lobbying group not providing information is probably a breach of contract. She also feels that there is a conflict of interest because the lobbying firm also represents clients who support items that the Commission is opposed to. After discussion, Administrator Andrews indicated that staff can and will look at the contract and advise if there are any items that would be considered a breach of contract.
You can watch Commissioner Joseph’s comments and the following discussion here: Commissioner Joseph Concerns about Lobbying Firm
Commissioner Whitehurst had no Report
Commissioner Taylor brought forward concerns about Data centers and the amount of water and electricity they can take. She asked that staff draft an ordinance to eliminate Data Centers from businesses that could qualify for economic incentives, tax exemptions or abatements. And additionally, she would like to have the LDC amended to limit zoning categories where these could be located. Commissioners Whitehurst and Murphy indicated they would like more information before such a vote. Commissioner Whitehurst asked for consensus for a presentation from staff on pros and cons of data centers. Consensus was achieved.
Commissioner Murphy had no report.
Administrator Report – Administrator Andrews shared information about the upcoming budget sessions beginning May 11. You can watch the Budget sessions on-line here: https://www.sjcfl.us/watch-govtv-live/
Attorney’s Report
Only item was to discuss who will be on the Canvassing Board this year. That will be Commissioners Murphy and Whitehurst.
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 