Category: St. Johns County

Posted in Affordable Housing, Essential Worker Housing, St. Johns County, Workforce Housing

Update on the June 6 St. Johns County Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting

Posted on by Beth Tate

The June 6 BOCC meeting was a packed agenda resulting in one of the longest meetings this year! With brief remarks from the Clerk of Court and no comments on the Consent Agenda, the Regular Agenda began with the Constitutional Officers 2024 Budget Presentations.

Sheriff Rob Hardwick presented the Sheriff’s budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The largest proposed increases in the Sheriff’s budget were for salary increases for all personnel and adding 22 deputies to the staff. The budget will accommodate raising the starting salary from $52,000 to $55,00. There was discussion about recruiting and retention of deputies. Sheriff Hardwick spoke to the need for workforce housing so his deputies can have a home here in St. Johns County. He commented that when his deputies live in an apartment complex and have their marked car there, they don’t really get time off.* The Sheriff was asked about body cameras and he confirmed that every deputy working on patrol has a body worn camera. He made particular note that deputies working in the schools do not have body cameras operating when they are in the schools.

(*author’s comment – many advocates for workforce housing push the value of having a marked SJSO car sitting in the parking lot of an apartment complex. These deputies often become the de facto security force and, as Sheriff Hardwick noted, they may not get real down time in their off hours.)

The Supervisor of Elections, Vicki Oakes, presented her budget and a strategic plan amendment. She noted that her 4 year budget this time includes 2 elections; the 2024 March Presidential Preference Primary and the 2024 General Election. They anticipate qualifying between 140 and 150 candidates for local elections in 2024.

It is always reassuring to hear from Ms. Oakes about how our elections are conducted in the county. She mentioned in her presentation that she does welcome residents to come and tour their offices. I highly recommend the tour as it is very informative.

You may want to watch her presentation here: Supervisor of Elections Presentation

You can view both the Sheriff’s budget and the Supervisor of Elections budgets at this link: Sheriff and SoE Budget details

Item Two on the Agenda was an Economic Development Incentive Request from KeHE Distributors, presented by the Deputy County Administrator, Joy Andrews. This package is intended to keep KeHe and its 345 jobs in the county and open up the possibility for 100 additional jobs. This was approved 5-0.

Agenda Items 4 & 5 were for The Cottages at St. Johns. This request was to approve a development of up to 232 residential units within a rental community. The development would be located on SR 16 at International Golf Parkway. Concerns about insufficient infrastructure resulted in a denial of the application with a 5-0 vote.

During the Time Certain Public Comment, several residents of Rock Springs Farm again voiced concerns and asked for relief from the County regarding an agreement that their HOA would be responsible for maintaining a County owned park.

Agenda items 8 & 9 took up a previously delayed Adoption Hearing of the Workforce Housing Ordinance modifications and the Second Reading of the Workforce Housing Land Development Code changes.

There was a presentation from the Northeast Florida Builder’s Association about the ordinance updates, which they had written. I presented on behalf of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, stressing the need for Essential Worker Housing in our county that is affordable and available for our deputies, teachers, first responders, healthcare workers and others. My statement also attempted to clarify that this is about Workforce Housing, not Affordable Housing. There were several who spoke during public comment about the need for housing for the essential workforce as well as our tourism, hospitality, and other service workers. Some local employees shared their difficulties with finding housing they can afford within St. Johns County.

Commissioner Dean had proposed adding an AMI (Area Median Income) Cap of 120% to the Land Development Code and a 3-year requirement for Owner Occupancy.

After much discussion amongst the Commissioners, the Comp Plan Amendment was approved. The Land Development Code was more confusing as the Commissioners agreed with removing the 120% AMI Cap and adjusting the requirement for Owner Occupancy to 2 years. The submitted documentation had two versions; one included the Cap, one did not. The county attorney advised there was other wording that may need to be adjusted, as well. The vote was delayed to the June 20 meeting to allow staff time to ensure the documentation matched the desires of the Commissioners expressed in the meeting on Tuesday.

Agenda item 13 was a request for the county to engage a contractor to work on behalf of residents needing flood mitigation and request available grants for residents. The grant process can be cumbersome and difficult for individual homeowners to navigate on their own. This was approved 5-0.

Agenda item 14 was an update on the Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Emergency Beach Berm work. The Board approved moving forward with the contract to begin work on the Butler and Crescent Beach projects.

Agenda item 15  was a presentation from Deputy County Administrator Joy Andrews on the future of the World Golf Village properties being vacated by the World Golf Hall of Fame and the IMAX Theatre in September of 2023.

Public comment on this topic included comments that the county should sell it and a resident from the World Golf Village area sharing about a Neighborhood Alliance hoping to have input into what happens with the property going forward.

The Board had good discussion about possible uses of the property. Commissioner Arnold had a range of ideas including offices for those County employees who need new space, like the Sheriff’s office or the Supervisor of Elections. She mentioned the need for new libraries in surrounding areas like Rivertown and Nocatee.

At the conclusion of discussion, staff was directed to conduct due diligence and engage with staff and community stakeholders to develop a recommendation for the Board to considering the future.

During the Commissioner’s updates, it was agreed further work was needed to address the concerns about the park at Rock Springs Farm. This will be taken up at a future Commissioner’s meeting.

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Posted in Affordable Housing, BOCC, Essential Worker Housing, St. Johns County, Workforce Housing

Preview of the June 6 St. Johns County Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting

Posted on by Beth Tate

Pack a lunch; it’s a packed agenda!

Board of County Commissioner’s Meetings are at 9:00 AM on the first and third Tuesday’s each month at the County Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian, St. Augustine.

With 35 items on the Consent Agenda and 16 items on the Regular Agenda, it’s going to be a long day.

It would be surprising if there is not public comment on some of the 35 items on the Consent Agenda.

Items of interest include:

– approving a transfer of funds from the Fire District Reserves to purchase 4 Saber Fire Engines at a cost of $3,125,428.00.

– Grant Agreement with Ability Housing to construct 92 affordable housing units in the West Augustine CRA

– Award ARPA funds to St. Johns County Habitat for Humanity to construct Infrastructure for the Volusia Woods development.

– Award ARPA funds to Ability Housing to construct affordable housing in West Augustine

Regular Agenda Items

Agenda Item 1 is the submission of the Constitutional Officers’ Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Proposal. The Sheriff’s Office and the Supervisor of Elections will be presenting their budgets.

Agenda Item 2 is an Economic Development Incentive request from KeHe Distributors. This application is intended to keep KeHe Distributors operating in the county thus retaining 345 jobs in the county and adding 100 jobs. Average wage for these jobs would be $52,000. This projet is located at Deerpark Blvd. and SR 207.

Agenda Items 4 & 5 are The Cottages at St. Johns. This is a proposed development of 232 residential units on SR 16 just west of International Golf Parkway.  Interestingly this would be contained within a rental community, a growing trend across the country. At the PZA meeting review, concerns were raised about lack of infrastructure, road, ad school capacity. This was approved with a 4-2 vote at the PZA with much debate about compatibility and infrastructure. We can expect this to be a lengthy discussion at the BOCC, as well.

Public Comment is to be held at time certain 11:30. I anticipate the first 5 items will take us up to the 11:30 mark; possibly beyond. It has become the custom to have a 30 minute recess after public comment with lengthy agendas like the one this Tuesday.

There is another special meeting time certain at 1:00 PM related to a pending lawsuit.

Agenda items 8 & 9 are the Workforce Housing Ordinance, Adoption and Second Reading of the Workforce Housing Land Development Code Amendment. This topic had been delayed from the May 2 meeting to allow time to understand the impacts of the Live Local Act on the ordinance and to address potential changes to the ordinance that Commissioner Dean requested.

Agenda Item 11 is a modification to the Six Mile Creek Planned Unit Development to add 33 acres of land to provide additional recreational opportunities for the community and rezone this property from Open Rural to PUD. This is known as the TrailMark Recreational Pond. Concerns were raised at the PZA hearing about water draw downs and impacts to local wells.

Agenda Item 15 is a presentation from staff about the future of the World Golf Village Properties. With the World Golf Foundation and Hall of Fame leaving the facility in late 2023, there is a need for planned future use of the property. The presentation is not specific but does have some high level recommendations.

The full agenda can be found at this link: June 6 BOCC Agenda

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Posted in First Coast Expressway, Growth & Development, St. Johns County, Transportation

First Coast Expressway – Open House for the St. Johns River Bridge

Posted on by Beth Tate

What we learned at the May 23 Open House.

I attended the St. Johns River Bridge Open house via their virtual connection on May 23. As I shared in an earlier post, the St. Johns River Bridge, between Clay County and St. Johns County, is an important part of the First Coast Expressway.

First Coast Expressway Blog Post

In many of the new development pitches presented at the St. Johns County Board of Directors meetings, the First Coast Expressway is mentioned as one way traffic will be alleviated in the future.

The St. Johns River Bridge will replace the existing Shands Bridge. Not only is the Shands Bridge our connection to Clay County directly from St. Johns County, many local fishermen (and women) use this bridge for their favorite fishing spot.

Below are some screen grabs with more information about the project. Note the Estimated Completion is 2030. For many of the developments coming before the County Commissioners, they are using this as a data point – development would start after the completion of the First Coast Expressway in 2030.

Project Improvements will include a shared use path on the northbound side of the bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The existing Shands bridge will be demolished and portions repurposed for recreational purposes.

Some notes about the lane closures during construction of the First Coast Expressway.

Here’s a map of the bridge and the connecting Expressway.

Map of the Bridge and the Expressway.

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Posted in First Coast Expressway, St. Johns County, Transportation

First Coast Expressway Open House

Posted on by Beth Tate

If you are interested in the progress of the First Coast Expressway, connecting St. Johns County and Clay County, you may want to check out this FDOT Open House.

The open house will be held in Green Cove Springs at the Clay County Elections Office. I’ve shared the details from FDOTs website below. You can go to this link, as well. First Coast Expressway – New St. Johns River Bridge

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will host a construction open house inviting the community to learn more about the First Coast Expressway St. Johns River Bridge project.

The hybrid construction open house will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23 at the Clay County Elections Office, 500 N. Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Virtual participation is available by registering at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2042181651241724501, webinar ID 543-862-403, or by calling into the meeting at (415) 655-0060, access code 677-379-051.

Interested parties may drop in anytime between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. to learn more about construction activities and anticipated timelines, view project renderings and talk to members of the project team.

Click here to view an interactive GIS map of the project.

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Posted in BOCC, Growth & Development, St Johns County Schools, St. Johns County

Recap of the May 16 St. Johns County Commissioner’s Meeting

Posted on by Beth Tate

A very long day, indeed! The theme for the day was Schools!

The meeting began with a moving presentation of a Certificate of Remembrance for the Tristyn Bailey family honoring 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey who was murdered on Mother’s Day in 2021.

During the Public Safety Report, Director Skip Cole also spoke to the Bailey Family, honoring their grace and actions during such a difficult ordeal. He focused his remarks to the Commissioners on National Police Officer’s Memorial Day and noted that 1 fallen officer from St. Johns County was being added to the Memorial Wall and that the SJSO Honor Guard traveled to Washington to support and honor his placement on the wall. Director Cole then read out the names of St. Johns County officers lost in the line of duty.

The Clerk of Court’s Report included an interesting presentation on some of the oldest historic records maintained in the Clerk’s office. Included were historic deeds, including one for a property on Aviles Street, recorded in 1821. The oldest County Commissioner meeting records were from April 30, 1866. It was noted they did not meet during the Civil War and the Sheriff was asking for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the start of the war!

Consent Agenda

There was one public comment on the Consent Agenda with a representative from CARE expressing appreciation for the approval of the contract for Home Again St. Johns. This was long awaited funding for a permanent facility on SR 16.

More about the Home Again contract here: Consent Agenda Item 16

Regular Agenda

Agenda Item 1 – The Landings at St. Johns was one of the highly anticipated presentations. This development on the south side of Greenbriar Road, 1.5 miles east of State Road 13 is planned to be an Age Restricted community (55+) and thus would have in impact on the school system while generating about $1 million in annual ad valorem revenue that could be used to fund schools. The developer has committed to upfront road way improvements and, importantly, is paying for road improvements at Switzerland Middle School and Bartram Trail High School that would alleviate the traffic backups during school opening and closing times. These improvements were not required but included by the builder to provide benefit to the county.

Commissioner Joseph had several questions about the development related as related to school concerns. The developer’s representative referred back to this development not adding children to the school system and generating tax revenue that would benefit the school system.

Commissioner Joseph noted 130 letters against the development. Questions were asked by the developers representative about the letters because there is insufficient indication of where the letters originated (in the impacted area or even within the county.)

Side note: This highlights the need of residents who write to the Commissioners to include their property address so there is no question if they are part of the impacted communities. This comes up often in discussions.

During Public Comment on The Landings, Christine Mullis, representing the Greenbriar Preservation Group, presented concerns about traffic in the area and the inadequate infrastructure. A second representative from the group spoke about concerns related to the wetlands in the area. She noted some of the comments made by staff in the application process about the wetlands area.

During rebuttal, the developer’s representative pointed out that the comments made by staff about environmental concerns during the application process had all been cleared or they would not have been able to move forward to the application hearing today.

Several other residents spoke both for and against the development with those in favor noting the upfront infrastructure improvements and that this was active adult and not impacting the schools.

Some residents spoke on the need to slow down development in general because of the impact on schools in the County.

During the Commissioner’s discussion, Commissioner Dean noted the argument for compatibility as this property is surrounded on 3 sides by Res B zoning. He noted that you can’t have improved infrastructure without the development happening and that the timeline shows that the infrastructure needs will be addressed by the time the housing is complete. He also noted that new schools will be opening in 2025 – 2026.

Commissioner Whitehurst noted in his comments that when he graduated from Nease High School in 2000, it was over capacity at that time. He went on to talk about the constraints in the school budgets around not being able to build schools until they are over capacity. He commented that “that’s a bad policy.” He acknowledged the school related concerns and referenced a comment made by a resident that approval of this portion of the project is tacit approval of the remaining portions that will impact schools. He does not believe that is the case.

The Landings was approved 3:1 with the No vote from Commissioner Joseph. Commissioner Alaimo was absent.

General Public Comment

During General Public Comment, there were many residents of Rock Springs Farms speaking about a county managed park that somehow became the responsibility of the Roxbury Farms HOA to fund. Residents have spoken with Commissioner Alaimo and staff is working on a presentation to discuss this at the June 6 County Commissioner’s Meeting.

One resident wanted to share with the Commissioner’s the results of the ALICE Report for St. Johns County. The ALICE report is published by the United Way each year with ALICE being Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed residents. These are residents who make more than the poverty level so don’t qualify for financial assistance yet cannot afford rent and food in our county.

You can read the ALICE report for yourself here, ALICE Report

Kerri Gustafson spoke on behalf of teachers and the group she started (with over 3000 members on FB) SOS, Save Our Schools, and expressed concern about the pay for teachers. She referenced the recent magistrate’s report stating that the school system does not have funds to build new schools. She stressed that the schools need help both from Tallahassee and the County.

Agenda Item 2 – Marsh Landing

After a break for lunch, the long awaited Hamstra report on the conditions in Marsh Landing was presented by Mr. Hamstra. This was followed by a report from Attorney Wayne Flowers regarding the County Ordinances that are relevant to the Marsh Landing Storm Water Management System concerns.

After hearing both reports and public comment, staff agreed they have the necessary information to proceed with analysis and follow through on any violations that need to be addressed.

Agenda Item 5 – Project Krew

Project Krew is the code name for a “large scale manufacturing facility” slated to open in 4Q 2025. This project would bring $70 Million in tangible personal property and $14 million in building improvements to the county. The building improvements are anticipated to be robotics equipment.

Initially the project would provide 116 jobs, growing to 324 producing about $7.8 million in labor income at the beginning of the project. No land use or zoning changes would be required for this project.

They are requesting a $4.6 million dollar incentive via ad valorem taxes and expedited permitting.

The project was approved unanimously.

Closing Public Comment

The auditorium was fairly empty by the time we got to Closing comments however one stalwart resident spoke about the danger of St. Johns County losing its status of the #1 School District in the state because of over-crowding and the inability to hire enough teachers to support the growth.

Commissioner’s Reports

During Commissioner’s Reports, Commissioner Joseph shared her recent awareness of the University of Florida IFAS Extension service. Our residents in the agricultural areas of the county and those of us who grew up in 4-H have long benefited from the Extension Service. You can learn more about the many services provided by the IFAS Extension service here: St. Johns County Extension Service

Commissioner Dean suggested that it is time for a review of how much money has been spent and how it has been spent for schools in the county. His perception is that a tremendous amount of money has been allocated for schools and it is not clear that the problem is related to growth but related to the timing of schools being built.

Commissioner Joseph asked if the Commissioners could meet with the School Board to have these discussions. (Indicative that she has not been in such discussions since joining the Board.)

Commissioner Arnold noted that there has not been such a meeting since she has been on the Board (since 2021.)

There was agreement that there needs to be more communication between the School Board and the Commissioner’s regarding the growth in the county and impact on schools.

Commissioner Whitehurst noted that there is currently a slowdown in Building Permits with a 29% decrease compared to 2022.

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