Jun 20, 2023 Board of County Commissioners

VERY MUCH. AND NOW TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. COLONEL GEORGE JOHNSON, US ARMY RETIRED COLONEL.

[Call to Order by Chair]

[00:00:09]

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANKS. THANK YOU. OKAY.

FIRST ON THE AGENDA, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE FIRE RESCUE CITIZEN COMMENDATION RECOGNITION.

[Fire Rescue Citizen Commendation Recognition]

YEAH. THAT'S GOOD.

OKAY. ANYBODY ELSE? BUT. YOU KNOW. WHAT I MEAN.

WHAT, ARE YOU ALL UP? GABRIEL, IT'S TIME TO.

GO! ON APRIL 21ST, 2023, WHILE DRIVING ON INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY.

GABRIEL AND KYLE ATWATER CAME UPON A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

THEY STOPPED AND FOUND A MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH MULTIPLE OCCUPANTS INJURED.

ONE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND A SECOND VEHICLE HAD ROLLED OVER.

WITHOUT HESITATION, GABRIEL AND KYLE RUSHED TO THE VEHICLES AND PROVIDED ASSISTANCE HELPING THE OCCUPANTS OUT.

THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAD OVERTURNED, HAD ONE PATIENT TRAPPED.

GABRIEL AND KYLE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO LIFT AND ROLL THE VEHICLE OVER TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE ACCIDENT VICTIM SO THAT THEY COULD BE MOVED AND MEDICAL CARE COULD BE INITIATED.

THEIR QUICK THINKING, SELFLESS ACTS OF COURAGE WERE DONE WITHOUT CONCERN FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND REFLECT THE CHARACTER OF THESE TWO YOUNG MEN POSSESS.

IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR HEROIC EFFORTS, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PRESENTS GABRIEL AND KYLE WITH A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION.

REAL QUICK. I WANT TO ADD TO THIS A LITTLE BIT.

I'M HONORED TO STAND HERE AND AND GIVE THIS PRESENTATION.

TWO YOUNG GENTLEMEN, HERE THEY ARE. THE TRUE DEFINITION OF HEROISM IS WHAT THEY DID THAT NIGHT.

SELFLESS. THEY DON'T HAVE THEY DON'T HAVE ALL THE TRAINING THAT WE DO.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE. BUT WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE ALL THAT.

REGARDLESS OF THAT, THEY DIDN'T. THEY NEVER HESITATED.

THEY JUMPED INTO ACTION. AND THAT'S THAT'S IT.

SO I'M HONORED TO STAND HERE WITH YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR WORKING ON.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHIEF BULLARD. AND NOW WE WILL HEAR A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING JULY AS

[Proclamation Designating July as Parks and Recreation Month]

AND IT'S IT'S MY DISTINCT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT THIS RYAN KANE AND JAMIE VICARI PARK HERE.

I'D APPRECIATE IT IF THEY WOULD JOIN ME. MISS KELLER, WOULD YOU READ THE PROCLAMATION INTO THE RECORD? SURE. COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY MAINTAINS OVER 7300 ACRES OF LAND, INCLUDING 56 PARKS, 14 BOAT RAMPS, A BEAUTIFUL GOLF COURSE, AND 41 MILES OF COASTLINE.

AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION PROMOTES ACTIVE LIFESTYLES BY PROVIDING SPACE FOR POPULAR SPORTS, AS WELL AS HIKING TRAILS, SWIMMING POOLS, AND MORE.

ADDITIONALLY, PARKS AND RECREATION PROMOTES TIME SPENT IN NATURE, WHICH POSITIVELY IMPACTS MENTAL HEALTH BY INCREASING COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AND WELL-BEING,

[00:05:04]

AND WHEREAS, PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMING AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES SUCH AS OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMING, YOUTH SPORTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ARE CRITICAL TO CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.

AND WHEREAS, PARKS AND RECREATION INCREASE A COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY RAISING PROPERTY VALUES, EXPANDING THE LOCAL TAX BASE, ENCOURAGING TOURISM, ATTRACTING AND RETAINING BUSINESSES, AND REDUCING CRIME.

AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY, THEIR PARKS AND NATURAL RECREATION AREAS ENSURE THE ECOLOGICAL LOGICAL BEAUTY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE A PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO CONNECT WITH NATURE AND ENJOY THE OUTDOORS. AND WHEREAS THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO EXPLORE NEW WAYS TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

AS OUR POPULATION GROWS AND CHANGES WHILE STILL MAINTAINING A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH OUR RESIDENTS WHEN THEY ENTER THE PARKS AND FACILITIES.

AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT JULY 2023 BE DESIGNATED AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH, PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS 20TH DAY OF JUNE, 2023. THANK YOU, MISS KELLER, SO MUCH.

YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW THAT WE HAVE OVER 70,000 ACRES THAT ARE DESIGNATED PARK SPACE AND RECREATION AREAS.

OBVIOUSLY THIS BOARD IS DOING EVERYTHING IT CAN TO TO ADD TO THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE PASSIVE PARK SPACE AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL THE FOR ALL THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE HERE, AND THE BRAIN AND MUSCLE BEHIND THAT OPERATION IS STANDING TO MY RIGHT AND LEFT.

I MEAN, THESE FOLKS DO A TREMENDOUS JOB. THEY'VE BEEN INNOVATIVE.

THEY'VE BEEN COURAGEOUS IN THE WAY THEY'VE BEEN PITCHING IDEAS AND TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS. SO IT'S MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE. ON BEHALF OF SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, TO PRESENT YOU, MR. KANE, MISS MACARI, WITH THIS RECOGNITION, RECOGNIZING JULY OR JUNE.

WE'RE STILL IN WE'RE IN JUNE, BUT THIS IS FOR JULY.

I HAD IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. NEVER QUESTIONED MYSELF.

THAT'S TO RECOGNIZE JULY AS PARKS AND REC MONTH.

CONGRATULATIONS.

YES. THANK YOU. AND. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT TO TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF VALUE OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S OUR PASSION, IT'S OUR LOVE. BUT WHAT WE REALLY LOVE ABOUT IT IS THAT IT ADDS QUALITY OF LIFE TO OUR RESIDENTS, AND TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND SEE OUR RESIDENTS EITHER PARTICIPATING IN SUMMER CAMP BASKETBALL PROGRAMS, UTILIZING THE BOAT RAMPS AS A FAMILY, GOING TO THE BEACHES, BALL GAMES THAT ARE HAPPENING AT VETERANS PARK, THE TREATY PARK, ETC. IT REALLY ADDS TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF WHAT THIS COUNTY HAS, AND IT CREATES THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

IT'S WHERE OUR COMMUNITY COMES OUT AND JOINS TOGETHER AND MEETS EACH OTHER ON THE SATURDAYS, ON THE WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, ETC. AND GETS TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

AND RECENTLY WE DID AN EXPANSION OF ADDING TWO TAKING TWO BASKETBALL COURTS AND MAKING THEM SIX PICKLEBALL COURTS.

AND I WENT THERE ON A MONDAY NIGHT AT 7:00, AND THERE WERE 45 PEOPLE OUT THERE ENJOYING THEMSELVES TOGETHER AND GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND MAKING FRIENDS.

AND IT WAS A PRETTY AWESOME MOMENT. AND I REALLY VALUE THAT.

AND MY TEAM VALUES THAT. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING OUR STAFF DOES, FROM THE GOLF COURSE STAFF TO THE BEACHES STAFF, THE PIER STAFF, THE PROGRAMING STAFF, THEY'RE REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AND PROVIDING GREAT RESOURCES TO YOU AS A COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AS IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE'RE DOING ON PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH, WE'RE ALSO RECOGNIZING THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BROUGHT PARKS AND RECREATION TO SAINT JOHNS

[Parks and Recreation Hall of Fame Recognition]

DO WE HAVE. I DID NOT SEE ANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY COMING TODAY.

NO MEMBERS OF EDDIE VICKERS FAMILY HERE TODAY.

HAVE YOU GOT. THANK YOU. AND SO I JUST KIND OF WANT TO READ QUICKLY WHO EDDIE VICKERS WAS AND LET YOU KNOW WHY WE'RE INDUCTING HIM INTO OUR HALL OF FAME.

SO AFTER SERVING IN THE US ARMY DURING WORLD WAR TWO AND EARNING SEVERAL HONORS, EDDIE CAME BACK AND MARRIED HIS FIANCEE, BARBARA, WHO WAS WORKING AS A SHIP WELDER IN NEW YORK CITY.

THEY MOVED BACK TO THEIR HOMETOWN OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

EDDIE BEGAN WORKING FOR THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, SUPERVISING ACTIVITIES AT LITTLE LAKES PARK AND THE YOUTH CENTER IN LINCOLNVILLE.

EDDIE AND BARBARA WERE BOTH ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN SAINT AUGUSTINE IN THE 1960S, PROTESTING IN MARCHES, RALLIES, AND SIT INS. IN 1958, HE BEGAN WORKING FOR SAINT JOHNS COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION AS A RECREATION LEADER.

[00:10:01]

HE ALSO ORGANIZED THE VICKERS RED RAIDERS YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE 1960S.

HE RETIRED IN 1987 AND THEN CAME BACK TO WORK FOR SAINT JOHNS COUNTY PARKS AND REC IN 1990.

COACH VICKERS TAUGHT FAIR PLAY AND SPORTSMANSHIP, WHICH HAS LEFT A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THAT COMMUNITY THAT IS FELT, IS STILL FELT AND REMEMBERED TODAY. IN 1997, THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION VOTED TO RENAME THE LITTLE LINKS PARK TO EDDIE VICKERS PARK IN HONOR OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS. VICKERS WAS ALSO AMONG THE FIRST RECIPIENTS OF THE AWARD.

AN AWARD FROM THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE THAT HONORS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR TIME AND TALENT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

SO MR. VICKERS WILL BE OUR SECOND INDUCTEE INTO THE PARKS AND RECREATION HALL OF FAME.

WE WILL PRESENT THIS AWARD TO HIS WIFE, WHO'S 100 YEARS YOUNG, AND WE WILL GET THAT AWARD TO HER.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. AND THANK YOU, MR..

SPEAKER. ALL RIGHT. BEFORE WE ACCEPT TO HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATIONS COMMISSIONER DEAN HAS SOMEBODY THAT HE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AS WELL.

THIS HONOR? I THINK IT IS. YES, SIR. WELL, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

I WANT TO QUICKLY INTRODUCE SOMEONE. AND BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION TO MY INTRODUCTION, I WANT TO SAY THAT SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES TRUST FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS.

WELL, WHAT IS THAT? WELL, THEY'RE A GROUP OF SMALL COUNTIES DEFINED BY BEING UNDER 300,000, ABOUT 22 OR 23, MAYBE 24 COUNTIES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF FACT, IT'S A IT'S AN INSURANCE RISK POOL.

WE COMBINE OUR RESOURCES AND IT'S SORT OF WE'RE ABLE TO BUY IN VOLUME AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

WE'RE NOT BIG ENOUGH LIKE MIAMI DADE AND BROWARD AND PALM BEACH ORANGE TO BE SELF INSURED, WHERE THEY GO OUT AND NEGOTIATE AN INSURANCE POLICY AND ALSO REINSURANCE.

SO THIS HAS BEEN VERY COST SAVING TO US. AND I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

ABOUT EIGHT OF US, MAYBE NINE. WE MEET QUARTERLY.

IN FACT, OUR NEXT MEETING IS NEXT WEEK, WHERE SOME OR ALL OF YOU WILL BE JOINING ME AT THE FCC CONFERENCE.

AND BEFORE THAT CONFERENCE STARTS TUESDAY, WE'LL BE HAVING OUR QUARTERLY MEETING.

ALL THAT'S TO SAY, I'M VERY HAPPY THAT WE ARE A MEMBER OF FAC, AND I'VE BEEN SERVING AS THE LIAISON SINCE 2016.

AND THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD IS OUR GOOD FRIEND, LARRY HARVEY FROM PUTNAM COUNTY THAT MOST OF YOU KNOW, HAS A GREAT HE HAS AN INSURANCE BACKGROUND THAT'S A CAREER.

SO HE DOES A GREAT JOB WITH THIS. NOW, ALL THAT LEADS UP TO MY INTRODUCTION, AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO PRESENT TO YOU DENISE, WHERE DID YOU SIT? THERE SHE IS. DENISE VOGELSANG IS OUR INSURANCE MANAGER WHO TRAVELS AROUND THE STATE, MEETS WITH OUR STAFF, OTHER COUNTY STAFF, RECRUITS, OTHER COUNTIES.

AND IS OUR SORT OF FACE OF FACT. AND SHE TRAVELS, AS SHE DID TODAY TO OUR COMMISSION MEETING.

SO I CERTAINLY THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY PROPER TO INTRODUCE HER AND WELCOME HER TO OUR MEETING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE

[Acceptance of Proclamations]

AYE. AYE. OKAY. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. WE'RE ON TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE.

[Public Safety Update]

THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY. WE'RE A LITTLE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

I DECIDED TO DO A SHOW AND TELL FOR MY PUBLIC SAFETY ADDRESS.

BEHIND ME IN THE BACK. RECRUIT CLASS ONE 2023 WILL STAND UP.

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT. TO READ THROUGH.

THESE ARE OUR 22 NEWEST HIRES. THEY STARTED LAST WEEK AND ARE DOING A SIX WEEK ORIENTATION PROGRAM.

THEY'RE DOING SOME OVERNIGHTERS AT THE EOC. FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEY'LL START RIDE ALONGS AND TOWARDS THE END OF THE PROGRAM.

WHAT WHAT REALLY MAKES ME PROUD IS THAT OVER HALF OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN CAME FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

SO TO ME, THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE CULTURE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE WITHIN OUR OWN DEPARTMENT,

[00:15:04]

PEOPLE ARE SEEING THEY'RE NOTICING THIS AND THEY'RE COMING FROM ELSEWHERE, AND THEY'RE COMING TO THE GREENER GRASS OVER HERE WHERE WE ARE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

WE'RE GONNA KEEP FERTILIZING IT GETTING NEW HIRES IN.

AND, YOU KNOW KYLE AND GABRIEL TAKE THIS UP. I THINK WE GOT GOT A GOT A COUPLE POSITIONS WAITING FOR THEM.

THEY GO THROUGH A PROCEDURE, THEY MAKE GOOD ADDITIONS TO IT.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I JUST WANT TO INTRODUCE THEM AND GET SOME FACE TIME IN HERE. LET THEM SEE THE INNER WORKINGS OF HOW WE OPERATE.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF? THANK YOU. CHIEF.

THE CLASS 123. THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP AND BEING WILLING TO SERVE OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU.

DIRECTOR. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, KYLE AND GABRIEL.

THERE'S THERE'S MORE TO FIRE, RESCUE AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

THERE'S THIS OPTION, TOO. SO GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING US.

JUST A QUICK UPDATE. WE HAD A MAJOR SPIKE IN 911 CALLS FOR SERVICE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

A MAJOR CONCERNING FOR ME IS IT'S ABOUT 2000, WHICH IS A HUGE JUMP.

SO WHAT WE FOUND WAS WE AVERAGE ABOUT 3009 ONE HANG UPS, ACCIDENTAL CALLS, POCKET DOLLS, THINGS LIKE THAT, WHICH CREATES A LOT OF WORK ON MY STAFF DOING THE CALLBACKS, WHETHER IT BE PATROL, ACTUALLY GOING TO THE HOUSES, DOING WELFARE CHECKS. WE TOOK A DEEP DIVE INTO THIS TO SEE WHAT WAS THE SPIKE.

YEAH, SOME OF THE SUMMER MONTHS KICKING IN POPULATION INCREASE.

OBVIOUSLY THOSE THOSE ARE JUST INCREMENTAL INCREASES.

BUT WHAT WE FOUND IS A LOT OF US GET THESE PUSH NOTIFICATIONS OR UPDATES ON OUR CELL PHONES.

WHAT WE DON'T REALIZE IS SOME OF THOSE SETTINGS ARE CHANGING, SO IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR MULTIPLE BUTTON HITS.

A LOT OF THE FOLKS DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THEY'RE CALLING 911.

SO WITH 2000, YOU CAN YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S CREATING FOR OUR STAFF.

SO SIMPLY PUT, WE JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY WHEN YOU DO GET THE THE CELL PHONE UPDATES, THIS HAS BEEN A 30% INCREASE ALL ACROSS THE NATION OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, INCLUDING EUROPE.

AND SO IT'S BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO A TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT CELL PHONE COMPANIES.

THE ACTUAL CELL PHONE DEVICE NOTIFICATIONS BEING PUSHED OR SOFTWARE UPDATES, THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT.

SO WHAT WE'RE ASKING THE PUBLIC TO DO IS, IS WORK WITH US.

WE DO ENCOURAGE PICKLEBALL, BUT IF YOU CAN TAKE THE PHONE OUT OF YOUR POCKET WHILE YOU'RE DOING THE PICKLEBALL, THAT WOULD BE MUCH HELP.

THERE'S A LOT OF TRAVEL GOING ON. I JUST GOT BACK FROM TRAVEL, STUFFING OUR CELL PHONES WHEN WE'RE CHECKING LUGGAGE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THOSE THINGS ARE CAUSING THESE THESE INADVERTENT 911 CALLS.

SO HERE'S WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO. IF YOU DO ACCIDENTALLY CALL 911, WE'LL WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS WITH YOU.

PLEASE DON'T HANG UP. IF YOU HANG UP, EXPECT A PHONE CALL BACK.

THAT'S CREATING MORE WORK FOR OUR FOLKS. JUST COMMUNICATE WITH OUR FOLKS WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

WE'LL QUICKLY, QUICKLY WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS WITH YOU AND GET ON TO THE NEXT CALL.

AND WITH THAT, I'LL CONCLUDE UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

YES. I WANTED TO BRING UP AND DIRECTOR BEAVERS HERE, TOO.

IN MY DISTRICT, I'M HAVING A BIG PARTYING GOING ON AT MIKKELLER AND IT'S CREATING PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING HURT.

IT'S DIGGING UP TURTLE NESTS. YOU KNOW, IT'S IT'S FUN, BUT NOW THERE'S 300, 400 PEOPLE.

AND I WAS WONDERING WHAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT DOING WITH THAT.

GREAT. YEAH. WELL, WE COMMISSIONER, WE'VE INCREASED OUR BEACH PATROL OVER THE SUMMERTIME.

OUR YOUTH RESOURCE DEPUTIES ARE OUT OF SCHOOL, SO WE'VE REASSIGNED A BUNCH OF OUR YOUTH DEPUTIES UP THERE WHO ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE ONES THAT ARE IN OUR COUNTY. BUT QUITE HONESTLY, MOST OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE HAVING IS COMING FROM OTHER COUNTIES TO THE NORTH OF US.

I WON'T SAY DUVAL, BUT THEY'RE COMING FROM THE NORTH OF US.

AND THESE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING, THEY'RE CALLED POP UP PARTIES. THEY'RE VERY POPULAR RIGHT NOW. AND IF YOU'RE ON ANY SOCIAL MEDIA SITE, YOU'LL SEE NEXT DOOR AND ALL THESE, THEY'LL, THEY'LL PUT A TIME LIMIT LIKE IN THREE HOURS. WE'LL MEET AT MICHAEL'S IN TWO HOURS AND 30 MINUTES.

SO THEY SHOW UP. WE'VE BROKEN UP PROBABLY 4 TO 5 PARTIES LAST WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY.

WE HAD ABOUT 400 KIDS SWARMED MICHAELA'S BEACH.

THEY WERE FIGHTING. DRINKING. WE PROBABLY SENT 30 DEPUTIES UP THERE TO ASSIST WITH THAT.

AND, AND WE DID MAKE SOME OF THEM PICK UP THE TRASH AND DO.

AND WE ARRESTED TWO OF THEM BOTH FROM DUVAL COUNTY, I BELIEVE.

SO WE'RE ADDRESSING THIS. I WOULD JUST TELL PEOPLE, BE VERY RESPECTFUL OF THE TURTLES TO STAY AWAY FROM THEM, I GET IT. THEY'RE CURIOUS. THEY WANT TO SEE WHAT'S DOWN THERE.

WE. AND THEY'RE BURYING THE TRASH NOW, WHICH BLOWS MY MIND.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO IS WE'LL WORK WITH RYAN AND HIS CREW, MAYBE GET SOME MORE TRASH CANS OUT ALONG MICHAEL'S AREA.

[00:20:01]

BUT HE DID GET IN TROUBLE HIS SENIOR YEAR. BECAUSE THEY WENT TO BOONDOCKING.

BOONDOCKERS IN ARIZONA. AND HE LEARNED A BIG LESSON BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE RUINED HIS ENTIRE LIFE.

SO IF THEY GET ARRESTED, DOES THAT GO ON THEIR RECORD? AND ESPECIALLY THE TURTLE NEST? IS THAT A FELONY? YEAH. WHEN YOU START MESSING WITH THOSE TURTLE NESTS, BIG THINGS HAPPEN.

IT GETS A LOT OF PEOPLE'S ATTENTION AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE GOOD ON THE PERMANENT RECORD.

SO YEAH, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES, COMMISSIONER, FOR ALL THAT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T WANT TO RUIN THESE YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIVES. I KNOW THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, JUST TRYING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME. BUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THEM AND THE PARENTS. BUT IF WE HAVE TO GO THAT ROUTE, THEN WE WILL.

WELL, AND I JUST HOPE THE PARENTS DO JUST FIND OUT WHERE THEIR KIDS ARE, BECAUSE WHEN I HAD THE ISSUE WITH MY SON, I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS DOING THAT, I WAS SHOCKED.

SO IF YOU JUST SORT OF KEEP TRACK OF YOUR KIDS A LITTLE BIT, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR OUR BEACHES AND OUR COUNTY.

AND I'LL END WITH THIS. I KNOW NONE OF US LIKE TO THINK THAT OUR SWEET ANGELS DO ANYTHING WRONG, BUT WHEN MOMMY AND DADDY IS NOT AROUND. THEY DO STUFF.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, WE GET CALLED FOR THAT.

SO WE'RE ADDRESSING IT. COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU.

OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? DIRECTOR MARTIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO. MR. PATTY, THE CLERK OF THE COURTS REPORT. GOOD MORNING.

[Clerk of Court's Report]

I'M EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW INSPECTOR GENERAL, DAVID MCCLINTOCK.

WE HAD SOME EXTREMELY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND BELIEVE MR. MCCLINTOCK, ESPECIALLY AFTER HIS TIME IN JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, WHERE HE STOOD UP IN INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, WAS THE BEST FIT TO LEAD OUR OFFICE TO BECOME ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE AND NATION.

NO PRESSURE. SOME BACKGROUND ON MR. MCCLINTOCK.

HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED FOR NINE YEARS AS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF JEFFERSON PARISH IN LOUISIANA, AND THREE YEARS AS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY, MARYLAND.

HE IS ACTIVE WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTOR GENERALS AND CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHERE HE CHAIRS THE GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE. PRIOR TO HIS TIME AS AN INSPECTOR GENERAL, MR. MCCLINTOCK SERVED WITH THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK POLICE, WHERE HE SUPERVISED THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, FIELD OPERATIONS AND THE SPECIAL SERVICES SECTION BEFORE RETIRING AS AN ASSISTANT CHIEF.

HE IS A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF LAW.

FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY SESSION TWO, TWO, SIX, AND IS DESIGNATED AS A CERTIFIED INSPECTOR GENERAL BY THE ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTORS GENERALS.

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MR. MCCLINTOCK. SIR.

WELL, THANK YOU, CLARK. WITH THAT MANDATE TO BUILD AN OFFICE OF NATIONAL STATURE, HE'S ASSURED ME THE BUDGET WILL BE FORTHCOMING.

AND I GOT TO APOLOGIZE TO THE SHERIFFS IN THE ROOM.

WHEN YOU COME TO WORK IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, THEY TELL YOU THAT THE DIAL OUT FROM A GOVERNMENT PHONE, YOU GOT TO HIT NINE AND THEN ONE TO GET OUTSIDE LINE.

NEVER TRY TO CALL ONE 800 NUMBER AFTER YOU'VE DONE THAT.

BUT I CAN ATTEST TO SHARE. YOUR STAFF DID A GREAT JOB.

I STAYED ON THE PHONE. THEY CONFIRMED THAT I WAS IN THE COURTHOUSE AT THE TIME, AND WE WERE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT FAIRLY QUICKLY.

SO AGAIN, APOLOGIES. IT'S TOO LATE TO TAKE THE OFFER BACK.

CLAIRE. PATTY. YEAH. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, I THINK, FOR ME TO COME TO SAINT JOHN'S.

I'VE HAD A CONNECTION TO SAINT AUGUSTINE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

OWNED PROPERTY IN THE AREA. AND WHEN THIS OPPORTUNITY CAME UP IT WAS A NO BRAINER FOR ME.

MUCH LIKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WE JUST SEE GRADUATING JOINING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THIS IS A PLACE TO BE.

SAINT JOHN'S HAS POSITIONED ITSELF WELL, AND I HOPE TO TO HELP SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY DEAL WITH THE UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH AND ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE COMING.

ONE OF THE THINGS INSPECTORS GENERAL DO WHEN THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB WELL IS TO ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT OUR GOAL IS TO FIND ATTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO SYSTEMIC ISSUES INTO GROWTH CONCERNS.

SO ALL THOSE INVESTIGATIONS AND AUDITS AND REVIEWS AND THINGS, THEY'RE REALLY JUST A MECHANISM FOR US TO FIND FACTS SO THAT WE CAN HELP DEVELOP SOLUTIONS. AND THE FIRST STOP FOR, FOR ME IN DEVELOPING THIS OFFICE IS TO GET TO KNOW THE COUNTY.

YOU CAN'T SERVE THE COUNTY UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY AND HOW IT WORKS AND WHAT ITS CHALLENGES ARE.

SO IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD, I HOPE TO SIT AND SPEAK WITH EACH OF YOU, LEARN FROM YOU, LISTEN TO YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE AS THE ISSUES DEVELOPING IN THE COUNTY SO THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO BEST SUPPORT THE COUNTY IN ITS GROWTH.

SO WITH THAT, I LOOK VERY FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW YOU A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

THAT'S THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR.

[00:25:03]

THANK YOU, MR. MCLINTOCK. OKAY, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[Deletions to Consent Agenda]

NONE. I HAVE NONE, COMMISSIONER. ARNOLD. NONE.

COMMISSIONER. JOSEPH. NONE. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE.

I'M SORRY. LET'S HEAR. PUBLIC COMMENT. MADAM VICE CHAIR.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. I SECOND THE MOTION IN A SECOND.

[Approval of Consent Agenda]

ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE REGULAR AGENDA?

[Additions/Deletions to Regular Agenda]

NONE. I HAVE NONE, COMMISSIONER. DEAN. NONE. NONE.

NONE. ALL RIGHT. SO, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA?

[Approval of Regular Agenda]

ALL RIGHT. THE AGENDA IS APPROVED. SO THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.

[1. Constitutional Officers’ Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Presentations]

SO, MR. DUNN, I GUESS YOU'RE RIGHT. YEAH, I'M.

YES. GOOD MORNING, JESSIE DUNN, DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. AND THIS MORNING WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THE FY 24 FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET PROCESS. AND JUST KIND OF A REAL QUICK REVIEW, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO HAND THIS OFF TO TWO CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS THIS MORNING.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRACKING THE BUDGET PROCESS, WE HAD OUR FIRST DISCUSSIONS WORKSHOP IN LATE MAY.

IT WAS ABOUT TWO AND A HALF DAYS LONG AND WE WENT THROUGH REALLY LINE ITEM BY LINE ITEM, THE ENTIRE BUDGET BY SERVICE AREA.

AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT PROCESS. WE HOPE TO ACTUALLY WE WERE GOING TO GET PAST HOPE.

WE PLAN TO PROVIDE A PROVIDE A RECOMMENDED BUDGET TO THE COMMISSION IN THE REGULAR MEETING IN JULY, WHICH IS THE SECOND KIND OF THE, I BELIEVE, THE THIRD WEEK OF JULY.

BUT CONTINUING ON, THERE'S BEEN CERTAINLY PLENTY OF DISCUSSIONS.

CHAIRMAN WHITEHURST, YOU'VE BEEN IN THE HEALTH INSURANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS JUST RECENTLY WHERE SOME DECISIONS RELATED TO THE BUDGET.

COMMISSIONER DEAN WAS IN SOME DISCUSSIONS YESTERDAY RELATED TO CRA, AND I REALLY TALKED INDIVIDUALLY TO ALL OF YOU AND PLAN TO CONTINUE TO TALK TO YOU AS THINGS ARISE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, WHICH REALLY, AGAIN, KIND OF ROLLS THROUGH INTO SEPTEMBER.

ON JUNE 6TH, THE COMMISSION HEARD FROM BOTH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS RELATED TO THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER REQUESTS. AND TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM BOTH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND COMPTROLLER, AS WELL AS THE PROPERTY APPRAISER. AS TO THEIR BUDGETS.

AND I JUST WANT TO NOTE RELATED TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.

THEIR BUDGET IS APPROVED AT THE STATE LEVEL. SO REALLY, THE ALL OF THESE PRESENTATIONS ARE COURTESY.

BUT I'LL FURTHER ADD THAT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S PRESENTATION IS KIND OF A FURTHER COURTESY INTO THEIR HIS INSIGHTS AND AND LOOK AHEAD INTO FY 24. SO WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE HONORABLE BRANDON J.

PATTY, SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND COMPTROLLER FOR HIS BUDGET PRESENTATION, SIR. COMMISSION. GOOD MORNING AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THE FY 2024 BUDGET FOR THE SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.

COUNTY CONTROLLER'S OFFICE. OUR BUDGET REPRESENTS AN INVESTMENT IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHILE ADDRESSING PERSONNEL AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS.

I AM CONFIDENT THIS BUDGET REQUEST WILL ASSIST THE OFFICE IN FULFILLING OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE WORLD CLASS SERVICES TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE JUDICIARY, EXCUSE ME, THE JUDICIARY, AND THE RESIDENTS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE FROM OUR BUDGET REQUEST, PROVIDING THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO FULFILL ITS CRITICAL MISSION OF OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY, INVESTING IN UPDATED SOFTWARE AND EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE AND MATCHING THE COUNTY'S COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE INCREASE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT.

PROTECTING THE PUBLIC'S TRUST IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT WHILE PROVIDING THE VERY BEST SERVICES POSSIBLE IS AN ABSOLUTE PRIORITY FOR ME AND MY OFFICE.

I AM CONFIDENT THIS BUDGET WILL AID US IN ACHIEVING THIS STANDARD.

SO ON THIS SLIDE WE HAVE OUR COMBINED BUDGET, WHICH INCLUDES THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL AND THE MINUTES AND RECORDS. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE COUNTY FUNDS THESE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE BACK TO YOU AND BACK TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

WE ALSO RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE STATE. SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE STATE IN ORDER TO HELP PAY FOR OUR COURT SERVICES,

[00:30:02]

SO THANKS TO YOU ALL'S LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE WE DO HAVE.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. OUR COURT SUBSIDY BUDGET, WHICH HELPS US BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT OUR RESIDENTS, CONSTITUENTS, STAKEHOLDERS DEMAND. CHAIRMAN, THIS IS MY PRESENTATION.

PENDING. ANY QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. PATTI ON THE BOARD? OKAY. MADAM VICE CHAIR, LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLERK'S BUDGET.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLERK OF THE COURT'S BUDGET.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU.

MR.. THANK YOU CHAIRMAN. AND THEN AGAIN, NEXT UP WILL BE HONORABLE EDDIE KRAMER, PROPERTY APPRAISER FOR SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY. AND KIND OF AGAIN, TO REITERATE, NO REQUIREMENT FOR THE FOR THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE TO REALLY PRESENT.

IT'S BEEN A COURTESY SINCE MR. CRAMER HAS COME ON AS THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, SO CERTAINLY ENJOY THIS PRESENTATION EACH YEAR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU JESSIE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THAT ARE IN THE AUDITORIUM. I WILL BE BRIEF AS WELL.

I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT INITIALLY IN OUR BUDGET PRESENTATION, THE LOGO AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR SCREEN IS THE CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE IN ASSESSMENT REGISTRATION. WE ARE NOW ABLE TO DISPLAY THAT OUR OFFICE IS ONE OF 58 JURISDICTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAS RECEIVED THIS DESIGNATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSING OFFICERS.

PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE HAS ONE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE, AND THAT IS TO CREATE THE TAX ROLL FOR THE TAXING AUTHORITIES IN THE COUNTY.

WE CREATE THAT TAX ROLL BY APPRAISING ALL REAL AND REAL AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE COUNTY.

IF I COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS YEAR WE'RE ASSESSING 167,000 PARCELS.

$85 BILLION IN JUST VALUE. AND THIS SLIDE SAYS $48 BILLION IN TAXABLE.

IT'S ACTUALLY $45 BILLION AFTER THE INITIAL SUBMISSION TO THE DOOR.

WE ALSO ADMINISTERED THE EXEMPTIONS IN THE COUNTY AND THE ASSESSMENT LIMITATION CAPS.

WE PROCESSED 12,000 NEW EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR.

OVERALL, WE MAINTAIN AND MONITOR OVER 100,000 EXEMPTIONS IN THE COUNTY, INCLUDING HOMESTEAD.

WE ALSO RECORD ALL OWNERSHIP PARCEL IDS AND GIS IN THE COUNTY.

AND LAST YEAR, OUR OFFICE PROCESSED 24,000 DEEDS AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AND 13,333 SALES OF PROPERTY AND TRANSFERS OF PROPERTY. BUDGET REQUEST THIS YEAR IS $6.9 $9 MILLION.

THAT'S DOWN FROM $8 MILLION THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE PRIMARY CHANGE IN THAT BUDGET REQUEST, HOWEVER, I'LL POINT OUT, WAS THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE THAT WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A 16 YEAR OLD COMPUTER ASSISTED MASS APPRAISAL SYSTEM, WHICH IS IN THE PROCESS NOW BREAKING DOWN THE BUDGET FOR THE PROPERTY APPRAISER. OUR PERSONNEL EXPENSE THIS YEAR IS UP 10%.

THAT REFLECTS THE COUNTY APPROVED RAISES FOR EMPLOYEES, WHICH WE FOLLOW, AND THE INCREASE IN THE COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THIS YEAR.

OUR OPERATING EXPENSES ARE DOWN 11% FOR THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE NO CAPITAL EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE CONVERSION PROCESS.

OUR OFFICE HAS 42 EMPLOYEES. THERE IS NO BUDGET FOR ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES.

NO BUDGET FOR ANY SORT OF OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES.

WE HAVE NO NEEDS FOR SPACE. WE ARE HAPPY WHERE WE ARE.

AND SO IF I CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE JUST TO BREAK DOWN THE THINGS THAT WE MONITOR, WE MONITOR HOW MUCH IT COSTS US PER PARCEL TO OPERATE IN THE COUNTY.

SO IN 2016, IT WAS JUST UNDER $41 PER PARCEL TO DO OUR JOB.

TODAY IT'S JUST UNDER $42 A PARCEL. OUR BUDGET HAS AVERAGED AN INCREASE OF 2.5% A YEAR OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

THE INCREASE IN LAST YEAR WAS TAKING INTO EFFECT THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IN 2016.

EACH ONE OF OUR APPRAISERS HANDLED 5700 PARCELS.

TODAY, EACH APPRAISER HANDLES 7600 PARCELS AND WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS A GOAL OF 10,000 PARCELS PER APPRAISER, WHICH WE HOPE TO MEET WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

SO WITH THAT, I'LL PAUSE AND BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. KRAMER? YES, IF I MAY, PLEASE, COMMISSIONER.

WE'RE, I THINK HOLDING OUR FIRST OFFICIAL BUDGET HEARING ON JULY 18TH.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE ADOPT THE MILLAGE RATE.

WE CAN'T GO HIGHER, BUT CAN GO LOWER IN SEPTEMBER.

[00:35:02]

YES. BASED ON THE JUNE 1ST SUBMISSION. SO WE SUBMIT INITIALLY TO THE DOOR JUNE 1ST FOR APPROVAL OF THE ROLE.

THAT SUBMISSION HAS BEEN DONE. THE FINAL SUBMISSION WILL GO JANUARY 1ST.

JUST VALUE IN THE COUNTY FOR THE YEAR IS WHAT WE ASSESSED WAS UP JUST OVER 30% TAXABLE VALUE, WHICH IS JUST VALUE LESS ASSESSMENT LIMITATION CAPS AND EXEMPTIONS, WHICH IS A CALCULATED NUMBER WAS UP JUST UNDER 17%.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ADDED $2.7 BILLION IN NEW CONSTRUCTION TO THE ROLE, WHICH IS NOT PART OF THOSE NUMBERS FOR TRENT NOTICES.

THANK YOU. GOOD NUMBER. I WANT TO ADD THAT AT OUR LAST MEETING, I SAID THAT ALL OF THE CONSTITUTIONALS WERE LOOKING FOR MORE SPACE AND I MISSPOKE. MR. CRAMER HAS NEVER ONCE ASKED OR MADE A REQUEST FOR MORE SPACE, SO I JUST WANT TO CORRECT THE RECORD ON THAT.

DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? MADAM VICE CHAIR, LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON WHAT IS REALLY JUST A PRESENTATION ITEM.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPERTY APPRAISER BUDGET. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MADAM VICE CHAIR.

OKAY. AND JUST TO CLOSE, THIS IS PRESENTATION ONLY.

THERE'S NO MOTION REQUIRED THIS MORNING. WITH THAT THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATIONS FROM OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

ALL RIGHT. WONDERFUL. THANK YOU TO MR. CRAMER.

THANK YOU TO MR. PATTI. AND FOR EVERYTHING THAT BOTH OF BOTH OF YOUR OFFICES DO, WE'RE TRULY GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THAT MOVES US INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO.

[2. Brigadier General Michael P. Fleming to update St. Johns County Commissioners on the active role Fire Watch is taking in Northeast Florida.]

GENERAL FLEMING, GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING.

I'M MIKE FLEMING, 1979 OXFORD DRIVE, SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

AS THE CHAIRMAN SAID, I'M A RETIRED BRIGADIER GENERAL WHO WANTS TO DO SOMETHING FOR OUR VETERANS.

AND I REALLY COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING TO TAKE YOU THROUGH THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE WITH THE FIRE WATCH.

AND LET ME FIRST, THANK JOANNA SPENCER FOR REALLY HELPING COORDINATE THIS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

BUT VETERAN SUICIDE IS A REAL CHALLENGE. IT'S A CHALLENGE NATIONALLY.

IT'S A CHALLENGE IN OUR STATE. AND ALSO IT'S A CHALLENGE HERE LOCALLY.

THERE'S SOMETIMES MAYBE PEOPLE AREN'T NECESSARILY AWARE OF THAT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN A VETERAN COMMITS SUICIDE, UNLESS IT'S IN A VERY PUBLIC SETTING, YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE STATISTICS HERE.

HERE IN JUST IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND IN 2019, IT'S WHICH IS THE BASE YEAR FOR US.

WHEN FIRE WATCH WAS FOUNDED, YOU SAW YOU SEE WE LOST 78 VETERANS HERE.

AND SUICIDE HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AFFECTS AT LEAST 135 PEOPLE.

AND SO IF YOU TAKE THAT OUT, YOU HAVE 78 TIMES 135 PEOPLE WHO WERE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THAT.

SO NEXT SLIDE. BUT WHAT THIS WAS GREAT. IN 2019, THE FIVE COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

AND I WAS BORN IN JACKSONVILLE. SO I'M A SON OF THIS AREA.

THEY DECIDED WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

WE'RE GOING TO ALL FIVE COUNTIES, COMMIT OURSELVES TO END VETERANS SUICIDE IN OUR AREA.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A AREA, A GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND PARTICULARLY THE PARTICULARLY THE GOVERNMENTS DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT VETERAN SUICIDE. THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT SUPPORT AGENCIES, THE VA, MANY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THE VA HAS, TWO THIRDS OF THE VETERANS WHO LOSE THEIR LIFE TO SUICIDE ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE VA.

SO IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE VA TO REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT THERE.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THE WAY THAT WE'RE STRUCTURED.

EACH ONE OF THE COUNTIES HAS A DESIGNATED CITIZEN REPRESENTATIVE.

I'M THE CITIZEN REPRESENTATIVE FOR SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY AND ALSO WAS ELECTED THE CHAIR.

SO WE STARTED IN 2019 WITH BASICALLY AN IDEA.

WE WANT TO END VETERANS SUICIDE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

AND REALLY, WE STARTED WITH NOTHING. WE STARTED WITH JUST THAT IDEA AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO DUPLICATE THINGS.

SO IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE STARTED WITH A CONCEPT IS OUR PRIMARY CONCEPT IS THAT IF WE'RE WAITING FOR VETERANS TO SAVE VETERANS FROM SUICIDE, WE'VE ALREADY LOST THAT BATTLE.

THERE SIMPLY AREN'T ENOUGH OF US TO DO THAT. LESS THAN 10% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY, SO THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR THIS CHALLENGE. BUT WE HAD A CONCEPT THAT WE WANTED TO, WE CALL IT ENGAGE THE 90%.

ALMOST EVERY AMERICAN WANTS TO HELP VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUT MOST OF THEM, BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T SERVED,

[00:40:01]

BUT WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO REALLY GET THE 90% ENGAGED SO WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND I'LL TAKE YOU THROUGH SOME OF THE PROGRAMS. NEXT SLIDE. WAYS THAT WE'VE DONE THAT.

THIS IS OUR AND ALL THIS IS CONTAINED IN THE THE ANNUAL REPORT THAT WAS PROVIDED TO YOU.

BUT WE WANT TO TAKE A VERY MULTI STEP APPROACH AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS HERE.

I'LL TALK ABOUT THE WATCH CENTER PROGRAM, WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE HELPING THE 90% GET ENGAGED.

BUT WE WANTED TO LOOK AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. WE SERVE ON THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION.

THE GOVERNOR'S CHALLENGE, YOU'LL SEE THERE WE DID DATA COLLECTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE TOLD IS THAT YOU CAN'T ONLY HAVE DATA AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE WORKED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND DEVELOPED A SYSTEM TO WHERE WE CAN GO DOWN TO THE CENSUS TRACK WITH VETERAN DATA AND VETERAN SUICIDE DATA, WHICH ALLOWS US REALLY TO FOCUS ON THINGS. WE ALSO MADE THE EARLY DECISION THAT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT TRYING TO BECOME SOME BIG ORGANIZATION, I'M THE VOLUNTEER CHAIR. WE ONLY HAVE TWO EMPLOYEES.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE'RE ENGAGING OTHER ELEMENTS, OTHER SUPPORT, OTHER VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

YOU SEE THERE, WE HAVE MICROGRANTS. WE ALSO HAVE DEVELOPED VETERANS SAFE VETERANS SAFE PLACE PROGRAM, WHERE ORGANIZATIONS GET TRAINING AND THEN BECOME A PLACE WHERE VETERANS CAN GO FOR A SAFE PLACE.

WE ALSO HAVE SOMETHING CALLED VETERANS CRISIS INTERCEPT MAPPING.

AND WHAT THAT IS THAT HELPS COUNTIES ANALYZE WHEN A VETERAN GOES INTO CRISIS, WHAT HAPPENS? WE'VE DONE THAT NOW IN BAKER COUNTY, AND WE DID IT IN DUVAL COUNTY.

WE'LL SOON BE DOING IT IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL THIS HAS BEEN CREATED SINCE FALL OF 2019.

NEXT SLIDE. OUR CORE PROGRAM IS A WATCH STANDER PROGRAM.

AND AGAIN, IT WAS CREATED TO EMBOLDEN INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD NOT SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND HELPED THEM UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE OF THE MILITARY EXPERIENCE, THE MILITARY EXPERIENCE I WAS IN ALMOST 35 YEARS.

A LOT OF POSITIVES, SOME NEGATIVES. FOR ME, IT WAS PRIMARILY POSITIVE.

BUT WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS ENGAGE THE 90% TO KNOW WHAT A VETERAN AND THEIR FAMILIES EXPERIENCE.

AND SO WE HAVE A TRAINING PROGRAM THAT'S ABOUT AN HOUR, AND WE ASK PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH THAT AND BECOME ENGAGED IN THE VETERAN'S LIFE, BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY WE MAKE IMPACT. I'M A RETIRED GENERAL.

PEOPLE OCCASIONALLY LISTEN TO ME. MOST OF THE TIME THEY DON'T. BUT WHAT THEY DO IS LISTEN TO THEIR FRIENDS THAT ARE ALREADY ENGAGED IN ENGAGED IN THEIR LIVES, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD BE ENGAGED WITH SOMEONE IN.

IN YOUR FRIENDS LIVES. WE WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL EMBOLDENED TO BE ENGAGED IN THE VETERANS LIVES.

BUT YOU CAN SEE ALL THE THINGS WE'VE DONE. WE WORKED WITH THE SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, DEVELOPED THE THE LITTLE CARD THAT YOU SEE THERE.

MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NEEDED WHEN A VETERAN GOES INTO CRISIS.

SO OUR NUMBER ONE THING IS TO WATCH STANDARD PROGRAM.

AND YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE OVER 4000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRAINED.

WE WANT 10,000. THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. WE ARE ALSO EXPANDING ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA, NOT WITH ANY FUNDS FROM THE FIVE COUNTIES, BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. MAJOR GENERAL HARTZELL, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THOUGHT SO MUCH ABOUT IT. HE'S HE'S FUNDED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IN WEST PALM BEACH AS TESS COUNTIES TO TAKE THIS ACROSS FLORIDA.

SO THE CONCEPT OF ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IS WORKING MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

NEXT SLIDE. AND THIS IS WHERE IT'S MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

YOU CAN SEE THERE WE HAD 78 SUICIDES IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA IN 2019 AND 2021.

IT WAS 42. THAT'S A 54% REDUCTION IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.

NOW, THAT IS NOT ALL THE FIRE WATCH AT ALL. BUT WHAT IT TALKS ABOUT IS THE DEDICATION IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND TO GET ENGAGED AND GET CONNECTIVITY, BECAUSE IT'S VERY POWERFUL.

WHEN I GO OUT AND TALK ABOUT VETERAN SUICIDE AND THE COMMITMENT OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, I'M NOT JUST REPRESENTING A 501 C3.

I'M REPRESENTING THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND ALL FIVE OF THE COUNTIES MAKING THAT STATEMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY DEDICATED AND WANTS TO BE INVOLVED WITH THIS CHALLENGE. SO YOU CAN SEE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

YOU SEE HOW MANY LESS SUICIDES WE HAVE NOW. ONE IS TOO MANY.

BUT WE'VE DONE A GREAT HAVE A GREAT REDUCTION.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, IT'S A 4000 PEOPLE IF YOU TAKE THE 135 PEOPLE AFFECTED DIDN'T HAVE TO FACE THE TRAGEDY OF SUICIDE, THEY DIDN'T LOSE A BROTHER OR A SISTER OR A MOTHER OR A FATHER OR GRANDFATHER.

BECAUSE WE'RE ADDRESSING THIS CHALLENGE ACROSS ALL ERAS.

SO I JUST WANTED TO COME AND THANK YOU. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

I JUST WANTED TO COME AND THANK THE COMMISSION FOR YOUR INVESTMENT.

AND I REALLY FEEL LIKE IT'S AN INVESTMENT IN PREVENTING VETERAN SUICIDE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S MAKING A DIFFERENCE. AGAIN, LET ME STRESS IT IS NOT 100% THE FIRE WATCH,

[00:45:02]

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAD WHEN I BECAME THE CHAIR WAS NOBODY'S FOR VETERAN SUICIDE, SO WE DIDN'T NEED ANY KIND OF CAMPAIGN FOR THAT.

THE CHALLENGE IS GETTING PEOPLE ENGAGED. SO I WOULD ASK EVERYONE HERE, ANYBODY CAN HEAR MY VOICE TO GO TO THE FIRE WATCH ORG AND INVEST AN HOUR AND SAVE A VETERAN'S LIFE BY BECOMING ENGAGED IN THEIR LIVES.

COMMISSIONER. ANY QUESTIONS? I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER.

THANK YOU, GENERAL, FOR THE PRESENTATION. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH HAS A QUESTION. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS IF IF YOU'RE A VETERAN AND YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE, THERE'S TWO NUMBERS. WELL, 911, OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WHERE YOU NEED THE THE FIRE RESCUE OR IS IT NINE EIGHT 8 OR 2 ONE ONE, IS THERE SOMEONE 24 HOURS ANSWERING THE PHONE? YES, MA'AM. BOTH OF THOSE ARE GREAT. THE NINE, EIGHT, EIGHT IS THE NEW SUICIDE NUMBER.

AND WHEN YOU CALL THAT NUMBER, YOU'LL BE ASKED IF YOU HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY OR A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY.

IT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO A USED TO BE THE VA VETERANS HOTLINE.

NOW IT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THAT TWO ON ONE HERE HAS A GREAT PROGRAM MISSION UNITED OUT OF UNITED WAY IN JACKSONVILLE.

AND THEY WILL HAVE SOMEONE 24 SEVEN. BUT THEIR BIG WHAT THEIR VALUE IS, IS THEY HAVE SPECIFICALLY TRAINED CASE MANAGERS FOR THE MILITARY.

SO 211. THE UNITED WAY OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA HAS MADE A TREMENDOUS INVESTMENT TO HELP WITH THE CHALLENGES OF VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE GENERAL? WELL, AGAIN, THIS IS A PRESENTATION ITEM.

WE'RE NOT REQUIRED TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT I'D LIKE TO GIVE THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ANY THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS TO COME UP AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO, FIRE WATCH.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. CHUCK LEWANDOWSKI 1748 NORTH CAPITOL.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, I AM A VETERAN. I SAW THOSE NUMBERS UP THERE.

AND YOU'RE RIGHT, GENERAL, ONE IS TOO MANY. IS THERE ANY WAY OF KNOWING EXACTLY HOW MANY OF THOSE WERE HOMELESS? THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION, AND I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT.

BUT I CAN GET AN ANSWER TO YOU FOR THAT. IF YOU DON'T MIND.

I'LL GIVE YOU MY CARD AND WE'LL GET GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. EXCUSE ME. I'M JUDY SPIEGEL, 101 GREENWILLOW LANE.

THAT IS JUST LOVELY. I JUST THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL.

ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO UNIFY AND LOVE, I THINK, IS JUST AMAZING.

AND I'M SO BLESSED BY THAT. JUST A SMALL ANECDOTE THAT ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS WAS A VIETNAM VET AND HAS LUNG PROBLEMS AND IS IN HIS DECLINING YEARS BECAUSE OF AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE AND BEING SHOT AND SEVERAL THINGS.

AND JUST THIS PAST MEMORIAL MEMORIAL DAY. NO, IT WASN'T VETERAN'S DAY.

I GAVE HIM A LITTLE CARD AND REALLY DIDN'T KNOW MUCH OF HIS HISTORY, BUT I JUST SAID, THANK YOU FOR SERVING AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING SO MUCH OF YOURSELF.

AND IN YOUR DECLINING YEARS, IT'S DEFINITELY AFFECTING YOU.

AND HE CRIED. HE SAID, NOBODY HAS EVER SINCE I CAME BACK FROM VIETNAM ACKNOWLEDGED WHAT I DID.

AND HE'S GOT A WIFE AND I KNOW THAT KNOW THAT SHE'S A GOOD SUPPORT TO HIM. BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE THAT DON'T HAVE THAT? AND IT JUST BROKE MY HEART. JUST THAT ONE KIND WORD, HE SAID.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE I CAME BACK FROM VIETNAM THAT ANYBODY HAS LOOKED ME IN THE EYE AND SAID, THANK YOU. SO I'M DEFINITELY WILL BE INVOLVED WITH WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MISS. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO? SEEING NONE WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU, MADAM VICE CHAIR. GENERAL, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU'D LIKE TO CLOSE WITH OR ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? NO, I JUST DEREK COLLINS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

DEREK, CAN YOU STAND UP FOR THE FIRE WATCH? HIS NUMBER IS UP THERE AND CONTACT INFORMATION.

BUT ONE OF ONE OF OUR ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS, LIKE I SAID, WHEN I GO OUT AND MAKE PRESENTATIONS, EVERYBODY NODS THEIR HEAD AND AND VERY SUPPORTIVE.

BUT YOU NEED TO YOU HAVE TO GO BACK HOME AND NOT GET CAPTURED AND TAKE THAT HOUR TO INVEST.

SO YOU GO TO THE FIRE WATCH ORG, YOU'LL LEARN A LOT OF LOT OF THINGS ABOUT HOW TO INTERACT WITH A VETERAN AND TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE.

AND SO IF YOU IF PEOPLE WILL INVEST AN HOUR, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD ASK FROM EVERYBODY THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS WONDERFUL. THAT TAKES US INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE, WHICH IS A QUASI JUDICIAL.

[3. Public Hearing * PUD 2021-26 Mivo Multi-Family Development, Rehearing pursuant to Board of County Commissioner action on March 21, 2023.]

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. ON THURSDAY, MARCH 16TH AT 1230, I MET WITH TOM INGRAM, JOE, IAN AND MIKE AND OUR STAFF TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT.

[00:50:02]

SPOKE WITH SUZANNE CLULOW YESTERDAY REGARDING THE REGARDING THE PROJECT.

AND LAST WEEK I SPOKE WITH ERICA WARD AND AND JOHN WOODARD TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT AS WELL.

CONSTITUENTS IN THE AREA. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN.

YES. LET'S SEE, STARTING BACK IN APRIL. APRIL 28TH OF 2022.

I MET WITH BILL SCHILLING. MICHAEL HARD NAME.

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, MICHAEL. AND HE ENSLAVED HIM AND STAFF.

SO THAT WAS ON IN APRIL OF 22ND OCTOBER, 13TH OF 2022.

MET WITH TOM AND IAN AND JOHN WOODARD AND STAFF ON MARCH 16TH, 2023.

MET WITH TOM. JOE, IAN AND MIKE AND STAFF. AND THEN ON MARCH NO.

ON JUNE 15TH, I MET WITH JUDY AND DOCTOR GEORGE SPIEGEL.

AND I'VE RECEIVED ABOUT ROUGHLY 30 EMAILS RECOMMENDING, MOSTLY RECOMMENDING THAT WE DENY THE PROJECT.

SEVERAL RECOMMEND APPROVAL. AND ALL THOSE MEETINGS.

I HAD REALLY DISCUSSED THE PROJECT, AND MOST OF US HAVE DEALT WITH IT NOW FOR NINE MONTHS, KNOW PRETTY MUCH WHAT THE LAYOUT IS, WHAT'S PROPOSED, AND ISSUES OF COMPATIBILITY AND SUFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAFFIC AND WETLAND AND DRAINAGE ISSUES WHERE THE KEY ISSUES. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ON APRIL 20TH 28TH OF 2022, I MET WITH BILL SCHILLING, BLAIR GNEITING, MICHAEL STOLLER, IAN SLAVIN AND STAFF. I MET AGAIN WITH TOM INGRAM, IAN SLAVIN, JOHN WOODARD AND STAFF.

ON OCTOBER 13TH OF 2022, MET AGAIN WITH TOM INGRAM, IAN SLAVIN, MIKE STOLLER AND STAFF ON MARCH 16TH OF 2023.

DURING EACH OF THOSE THREE MEETINGS, WE MEETINGS, WE DISCUSS THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, HOW MANY UNITS, THE TRAFFIC IMPACTS, POTENTIAL TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS.

WE DISCUSSED A LOT OF DRAINAGE AND WE DISCUSSED THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP.

ON JUNE 15TH, 2020, WE MET WITH JUDY AND DOCTOR GEORGE SPIEGEL AND PATRICIA SIMMONS AND OUR STAFF IN THE OFFICE.

WE DISCUSSED THEIR OPPOSITION AND THE REASONS FOR THE OPPOSITION, PRIMARILY AROUND TRAFFIC AND CROWDING.

THAT'S THAT'S MY PART. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I HAD A MEETING ON THURSDAY, MAY 5TH, 2022 AT 11:30 A.M.

WITH BILL SCHILLING, BLAIR GNEITING AND STAFF.

I HAD A MEETING ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2022 AT NOON WITH TOM INGRAM, IAN SLAVIN, JOHN WOODARD AND STAFF.

I HAD A MEETING ON MONDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2023 AT 11:30 A.M.

WITH TOM INGRAM, JOE MECCA, IAN SLAVIN AND MIKE TAYLOR AND STAFF.

WE DISCUSSED MANY OF THE SAME THINGS THAT MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS DID IN REGARDS TO THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND IMPACTS, DRAINAGE. I HAD A MEETING ON THURSDAY, JUNE 15TH, 2023 AT 10 A.M.

WITH JUDY AND DOCTOR GEORGE SPIEGEL AND PATRICIA SIMMONS FOR THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT.

I'VE ALSO RECEIVED ABOUT 30 TO 35 EMAILS. MR..

JOSEPH. YES, I HAD A MEETING ON THURSDAY, MARCH 16TH, 2023 AT 3 P.M.

WITH TOM INGRAM, JOE MIKA, IAN SLAVIN AND MIKE SNAPP AND TEAM MEETING ON THURSDAY, JUNE 15TH, 2023 AT 11:30 A.M. WITH JUDY AND DOCTOR GEORGE SPIEGEL, PATRICIA SIMMONS AND THE TEAM WHO ARE OPPOSED.

I HAVE RECEIVED OVER 50 OPPOSITION LETTERS, EMAILS.

SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO ARE IN FAVOR OUT OF THE 50 THAT WERE OPPOSED, AND I DID DRIVE BY THE WET AREA.

THANK YOU. OKAY. WITH THAT, I THINK WE ARE READY TO HEAR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

MR. INGRAM. GOOD MORNING. I HAVE A HANDOUT WITH THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO GET THAT TO YOU.

SHOULD I JUST WALK UP TO THE DAIS AND SAID OKAY.

SURE. YES. I THINK YOU HAVE SOMETHING ON THAT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK. YOU.

THANK YOU. I GOT YOU. OKAY.

SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, REMOTE CONTROL AROUND.

FOR THE POWERPOINT, IT'S A REMOTE. OR SHOULD I JUST TELL YOU TO CHANGE THE SLIDE?

[00:55:03]

THE POWER WENT OFF THE BUILDING LAST NIGHT, SO WE MAY JUST HAVE TO HAVE TO ASK.

THE SLIDE PROGRAM. NO. NO PROBLEM. OKAY. GOOD MORNING.

I'M TOM INGRAHAM WITH SOTO AND INGRAHAM. 233 EAST BAY STREET, SUITE 1113 JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

I'M A LAND USE ATTORNEY. THANK YOU. NO PROBLEM.

SO I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE APPLICANT AND THE DEVELOPER.

SO THE DEVELOPERS, IAN SLAVIN WITH VIVO COMMUNITIES.

AND FIRST WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT JUST WHY WE'RE HERE.

PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT, THE CONTEXT IN WHICH IT'S IN THE COMPATIBILITY WITH ADJACENT SITES.

AND YOU'RE JUST GENERAL PRACTICE IN THE COUNTY.

THEN BLAIR GNEITING IS GOING TO COME UP AND SHE'S A PLANNER.

SHE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE PLANNING AND YOUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

BILL SCHILLING IS A TRAFFIC ENGINEER WITH KIMLEY-HORN.

HE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT TRAFFIC AND TRIP GENERATION AND RELATIVE TRIPS FROM THIS PROJECT VERSUS OTHERS.

AND AND WE HAVE OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM HERE AS WELL AS NEEDED.

AND I'LL INTRODUCE HIM. I'VE CIRCULATED TO YOU THE RESUMES OF SOME OF OUR EXPERTS THAT IF THEY'RE CALLED TO TESTIFY THIS IS A QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING. SO IN MOST OF THE DEVELOPMENTS YOU NORMALLY HEAR LATELY, THERE IS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT AS WELL AS A REZONING BEING HEARD AT THE SAME TIME AS, AS YOU'VE PROBABLY BEEN TOLD TOO MANY TIMES, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS ARE LEGISLATIVE.

IT'S A POLICY MAKING DECISION. YOU HAVE VERY BROAD DISCRETION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO TO ADOPT OR NOT ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, CHANGE ZONING. ONCE THAT PLAN HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE, THEN THE THE, THE THE DISCRETION NARROWS.

SO IT'S CONSIDERED A QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING. THE DECISIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BASED ON THE EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD, AND HAVE TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD.

AND YOU ARE EVALUATING THE MERITS OF THOSE REZONING REQUESTS BASED ON YOUR CRITERIA IN YOUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AS WELL AS IN YOUR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. SO THIS IS A LITTLE MORE IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THE PRESENTATION THAT I GAVE LAST TWO WEEKS AGO.

SO HERE HERE'S THE SITE. THIS IS THE NAME IS PALM HOUSE.

AND IT'S A PROPOSED MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT ON US ONE SOUTH OF 312.

AND SAINT AUGUSTINE SOUTH IS THERE TO THE EAST.

AND HERE'S A ZOOM IN, BUT IT'S AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF WATSON ROAD AND US ONE.

AND HERE'S OUR DEVELOPMENT TEAM. THEY ARE ALL HERE TODAY.

AND MICHAEL SAWYER WILL BE GIVING REBUTTAL TODAY.

SO HE'S MY CO-COUNSEL. THE SITE'S 15.7 ACRES, 204 MULTI-FAMILY UNITS ARE MARKET RATE WITH TWO ACCESS POINTS, SO THERE WILL BE AN EXIT ONLY ON WATSON ROAD AND THE MAIN ENTRANCE WOULD BE ON US ONE.

NO WAIVERS ARE REQUESTED AND AS PART OF THIS, WE ARE PROPOSING TO IMPROVE THE WATSON ROAD INTERSECTION, WHICH IS CURRENTLY. IT'S TWO LANES, NO TURN LANE, AND WE HAVE SOME PICTURES TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S A SITE AGAIN AN AERIAL SHOWING THE AREA.

SO YOU HAVE A MIX OF SINGLE FAMILY, INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL MULTI-FAMILY ALL IN THIS AREA I THINK.

SO THIS SITE IS BETWEEN THE FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILWAY AND I-90 OR EXCUSE ME US ONE.

THIS IS A THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE DEERFIELD FOREST NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S TO THE WEST OF IT, SHOWING RELATIVE CONTEXT ON THE EAST SIDE THERE ARE THE BIGGER BUILDINGS.

THAT'S AN INDUSTRIAL PARK THERE. SO. THERE'S AN AERIAL OF THE SITE JUST SHOWING SOME OF THE INDUSTRIAL USES, AS WELL AS THE RESIDENTIAL USES IN THE AREA. AND AGAIN, SO MORE TO THE NORTH YOU HAVE A MIX OF SINGLE FAMILY.

IF YOU SEE THE CLEARED SITE JUST NORTH OF OURS THAT IS APPROVED FOR RETAIL AND IT'S ALREADY UNDER DEVELOPMENT.

SURROUNDING IN THE AREA, IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA, THERE'S A VARIETY OF SINGLE FAMILY AND MULTIFAMILY. THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT MULTIFAMILY USES. ONE OF THE NEWER ONES IS THE DLP PORTOFINO DEVELOPMENT IN SAINT AUGUSTINE SHORES.

IT'S OFF SHORES BOULEVARD. JUST TO THE SOUTH.

YOU HAVE THE COTTAGES AT WINDING CREEK. TO THE SOUTH IT'S MULTIFAMILY SUMMER BREEZE APARTMENTS.

TO THE SOUTH. THAT'S AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. IT'S ALSO FOR SENIORS.

THAT'S TO THE SOUTH OF US. THEN YOU HAVE A VARIETY OF MULTIFAMILY IN MULTIFAMILY IN SAINT AUGUSTINE SOUTH.

[01:00:02]

THAT'S A SINGLE FAMILY FOR RENT COMMUNITY. AND JUST TO THE EAST OF THAT IS THE MONTECITO, THE VALENCIA TOWNHOMES.

COMMERCIAL IN THE AREA. SO YOU HAVE A CVS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET AT US.

ONE GATE CAR WASH IS COMING JUST TO THE SOUTH OF THAT.

WE ABOUT DOLLAR GENERAL. WE ALSO ABUT A MULTIFAMILY USE THE SAINT AUGUSTINE CENTER FOR LIVING, WHICH IS IT'S A IT'S AN ADULT RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS.

SO THERE'S HOUSES 45 MEN AND 15 WOMEN AND FOUR EIGHT BEDROOM COTTAGES, HAS DAY PROGRAMS, ALSO OVER 100 EMPLOYEES, ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY. SO THAT'S THAT'S OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE SOUTH.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME SOME COMMERCIAL ZONING THAT ABUTS US AT THE NORTH END.

AND THEN JUST TO THE NORTH OF US IS COMMERCIAL AT THE RETAIL CENTER.

AND I MEAN, YOU ALL KNOW THIS US ONE'S BEEN A BUSY COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR FOR EVER.

I MEAN, LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN ALIVE BY FAR. SO SOME OF THE COMMERCIAL AREAS, YOU HAVE A VARIETY OF RESTAURANTS.

HERE'S THE AREA TO THE NORTH. BANKS, PUBLIX. THERE'S TO THE NORTH.

AND THEN TO THE SOUTH YOU HAVE WINN-DIXIE. SO WE ARE BETWEEN A PUBLIX AND A WINN-DIXIE.

AND THEN YOU SEE THE SITE THERE ARE SHOWN WITH THE STAR.

HERE'S THE CURRENT WATSON ROAD AS IT EXISTS NOW.

IT IS A SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION, AND IT'S TWO LANES WITH NO TURN LANE.

TO THE LEFT THERE ON THAT SLIDE IS THE COMMERCIAL SITE THAT'S UNDER THE UNDER DEVELOPMENT.

SO. HERE IT IS. HERE'S YOUR FUTURE LAND USE MAP.

THIS SITE IS DESIGNATED FOR MIXED USE, WHICH IS YOUR MOST INTENSE LAND USE CATEGORY.

IT WAS DESIGNATED BY THE COUNTY FOR THAT MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.

THAT ALLOWS A COMMERCIAL OFFICE AS WELL AS RESIDENTIAL UP TO 13 UNITS PER ACRE.

TO THE EAST, SAINT AUGUSTINE SOUTH INCLUDES A VARIETY OF SINGLE FAMILY AND MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENTS THERE.

HERE'S JUST A ZOOM IN OF WHERE WE ARE. SO WE'RE TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE MIXED USE DISTRICT WHEN LOOKING EAST TO WEST.

AND ALSO IT'S NORTH OF THE EDGE TO THE SOUTH.

AND OUR EXISTING ZONING, IT'S CURRENTLY OR WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT TWO WEEKS AGO.

THE REASON THE ZONING MAY HAVE A DISCONNECT WITH THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP IS THAT THE COUNTY RELIES UPON LANDOWNERS TO SEEK CHANGES TO THEIR ZONING. THE COUNTY DOES NOT ADMINISTRATIVELY REZONE PRIVATE PROPERTY.

SO THIS IS WHY WE'RE HERE. AND HERE'S OUR SITE PLAN.

IT'S A MIX OF, YOU KNOW, IT'S MULTI-FAMILY BUILDINGS THAT ARE CLUSTERED IN THE CENTER OF THE SITE.

NORTH IS TO THE LEFT IN THIS SLIDE. SO THE POND WOULD BE FRONTING WATSON ROAD.

YOU'D HAVE A CLUSTER OF MULTI-FAMILY BUILDINGS WITH AN AMENITY CENTER.

AND, AND THESE ARE PUSHED BACK AWAY FROM THE PROPERTY BOUNDARIES.

AND THERE'S A 20 FOOT BUFFER ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY AS WELL AS ALL OF THE BOUNDARIES.

HERE'S A COLOR RENDERING JUST SHOWING THE RELATIVE LAYOUT OF THE SITE.

SO OUR MAIN ENTRANCE IS US ONE WATSON ROAD. OUR ENTRANCE ON THE WATSON IS ACTUALLY AN EXIT ONLY IT IS NOT AN ENTRANCE, SO WE WOULD LIMIT THAT TO EXIT ONLY. AND HERE'S A 3D RENDERING OF OF THE PROJECT FROM A BIRD'S EYE VIEW LOOKING ACROSS US ONE. THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE. THIS PHOTOS. THESE ARE PHOTOS OF OTHER PROJECTS.

THE ONE AT THE BOTTOM LEFT IS THE BEACHWALK APARTMENT COMPLEX THERE OFF 210.

IAN SLAVIN, THE DEVELOPER, WAS THE PROJECT MANAGER ON THAT DEVELOPMENT.

BUT IT'S IT'S MARKET RATE WAS COMMONLY KNOWN AS LUXURY APARTMENTS.

SO HIGHLY AMENITIZED HIGH QUALITY OF LIVING. I MEAN THEY'RE CERTAINLY THEY WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THIS MARKET, BUT IT'S TYPICAL OF YOUR MODERN APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF THE HOUSING.

THERE'S WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH. THERE IS A NEED FOR HOUSING, PARTICULARLY IN THE IN THE LOWER END OF THE SCALE, TO TRY TO HELP DEAL WITH THAT. WE ARE OFFERING A 20% DISCOUNT ON RENTS ON 5% OF THE UNITS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMPLOYEES OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. AND JUST SOMETHING I LEARNED DOING THIS.

SO ABOUT 16% OF COUNTY RESIDENTS MOVE EACH YEAR.

SO IT'S NOT THAT WE ALL FIND OUR HOME FOREVER, BUT WHETHER THEY'RE MOVING INTO THE COUNTY,

[01:05:03]

IT'S NOT ONLY CHOICES, BUT IT ALSO FREES UP OLDER UNITS THAT TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WITH LESSER MEANS. I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE RESIDENTS TO THE WEST AT MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT.

SO THEY ARE THE NEAREST SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE ON THE WEST SIDE.

THERE ARE LARGER LOTS. I WANTED YOU TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE LAYOUT OF THE LOT.

SO THE FRONT YARD OF THEIR LOTS GOES TO MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT, WHICH IS BETWEEN THE PROPOSED PALM HOUSE DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR HOMES. SO IT'S IT'S THE FRONT YARDS, NOT THE NOT THE REAR.

IN ADDITION, TWO OF THE LOTS ON MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT CONTAIN A VEGETATED AREA WITHIN THEM THAT FURTHER BUFFERS THEM FROM WHATEVER MAY COME IN THE MIXED USE AREA. THAT'S TO THE EAST.

WE ARE PROPOSING A 20 DASH B SCREENING, WHICH IS VERY WONKY.

SO TO UNPACK THAT, IT'S A SIX FOOT VEGETATED SCREEN.

IT'S A COMBINATION OF, IN THIS CASE, A WOOD FENCE SIX FEET IN HEIGHT, AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE VEGETATION WITH 75% OPACITY. THESE ARE PICTURES OF MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT.

THIS IS LOOKING TO THE EAST TO SHOW BUFFER NOT ON OUR PROPERTY, BUT ON THE NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY.

SO THAT THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE. THIS IS ON THEIR PROPERTY.

AND IT IS BETWEEN THE FRONT YARDS OF YARDS OF THE HOMES AND THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

SO IN OUR LAST MEETING, AND THANK YOU FOR HEARING THIS.

YOU MAY MOST OF YOU RECALL, IT WAS HEARD ON THE DAY THAT COMMISSIONER WALDRON PASSED AWAY.

AND WE'RE VERY SORRY. AND THAT WAS. THAT WAS AWFUL AND UNTIMELY.

BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR AGREEING TO REHEAR THIS.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT IN THAT LAST MEETING AND HAS COME UP REPEATEDLY THROUGHOUT IS COMPATIBILITY.

THE PROPOSED USE IS RESIDENTIAL, JUST AS THE EXISTING USE IS TO THE WEST.

WE ALSO HAVE COMMERCIAL TO THAT ABUTS US, AS WELL AS MULTIFAMILY THAT ABUTS US.

BUT I WANTED TO SHOW SOME EXAMPLES OF WHERE THE COUNTY HAS RECOGNIZED THAT MULTIFAMILY IS COMPATIBLE WITH SINGLE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT.

NOT TOO LONG AGO, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A MODIFICATION TO THE BAN ON LAKES MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT AT INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY AND 95, THEIR APARTMENT BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THEY'RE ALMOST DONE. RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE FOUR STORY, AND THEY ABUT A STREET WHICH IS ACROSS FROM RESIDENTIAL JUST TO THE NORTH OF THEM. ANOTHER EXAMPLE, AND THIS IS THIS IS JUST SOUTH OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH.

THIS IS OCEAN VILLAGE CLUB THAT'S SHOWN TO THE ON THE SOUTH END IN SAINT AUGUSTINE BY THE SEA IS A SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD JUST TO THE NORTH.

IT'S A COMMON PATTERN, PARTICULARLY ON ANASTASIA ISLAND.

BUTLER BEACH, ALSO JUST BASICALLY DUE EAST OF US, THE ESTUARIES CONDOMINIUMS ON THE WEST SIDE OF A-1-A AND SINGLE FAMILY ACROSS THE STREET.

EVEN PONTE VEDRA HAS A MIX OF SINGLE FAMILY MULTIFAMILY.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE. IN SAWGRASS YOU HAVE THE OCEAN LINKS, CONDOMINIUMS NEXT TO SINGLE FAMILY, AS WELL AS TOWNHOMES THAT ARE ADJACENT. HERE'S ANOTHER IN PONTE VEDRA, THE COLONY AT PONTE VEDRA ON CORONA ROAD.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THOROUGHFARES THAT THERE ARE SINGLE FAMILY IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY AS WELL.

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH. THIS IS ANASTASIA DUNES, CONDOMINIUMS THAT BACK UP DIRECTLY TO THE BACKYARDS OF SINGLE FAMILY.

AND FINALLY, THIS IS SENTOSA, BEACHWALK. THIS IS A MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT AT BEACHWALK, WHERE THE APARTMENT BUILDINGS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SINGLE FAMILY THERE TO THE NORTHWEST. THIS IS SUMMER BREEZE IN SOMERSET VILLAGE.

THIS IS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT SOUTH OF OUR SITE OFF OF US ONE.

AND THERE YOU HAVE MULTIFAMILY IN AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND AGE RESTRICTED DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S ONE OF EACH. SO SOME OF THE BUILDINGS ARE AGE RESTRICTED, SOME ARE STRAIGHT AFFORDABLE, BUT IN THIS CASE THEY ABUT THE BACKYARDS OF SINGLE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT.

NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE BLAIR GNEITING, WHO'S GOING TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT YOUR COMP PLAN.

[01:10:08]

I'VE BEEN PLANNING IN THIS AREA ABOUT TEN YEARS, AND TODAY I'M GOING TO JUST QUICKLY TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE PLANNING PERSPECTIVE AND HOW THIS PROJECT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA AND CONSISTENT WITH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WERE CREATED TO HELP DIRECT THE GROWTH OF YOUR COUNTY.

THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS THE OVERARCHING VISION OF FOR THE GROWTH.

IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE Y. AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE IS THE HOW, HOW TO IMPLEMENT THOSE GOALS, POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES FROM YOUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

IT HELPS GUIDE DEVELOPMENT, AND IT HELPS REQUIRE STANDARDS SUCH AS HEIGHT AND BUFFERS.

SO THE PUD REZONING DISTRICT HAS MANY STANDARDS WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO BE MET, SUCH AS ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES WHICH WE MEET ADHERING TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH WE DO. WE'RE NOT REQUESTING ANY WAIVERS, CREATING A MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WE HAVE DONE, AND CONSISTENCY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND COMPATIBILITY.

THIS PROJECT MEETS ALL THE PUD STANDARDS. THE NEXT FEW SLIDES I WILL DESCRIBE HOW THIS PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMP PLAN AND HOW IT'S COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA. SO THIS PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE MIXED USE DISTRICT LAND USE CATEGORY.

THIS POLICY ACTUALLY REQUIRES US TO REZONE TO PUD, BECAUSE WE ARE IN A MIXED USE LAND USE FOR OVER TEN ACRES, AND WE'RE A NEW DEVELOPMENT. SO WE'RE HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO A PUD.

THIS NEXT POLICY ENCOURAGES A MIX OF USES, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL LIGHT, INDUSTRIAL LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, WITH THOSE RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES TRANSITIONING FROM LOW TO HIGH.

THIS MULTIFAMILY PROJECT MAKES THIS SPECIFIC MIXED USE LAND USE DISTRICT TRULY MIXED USE.

WE WILL HAVE A POTENTIALLY RESIDENTIAL ON THE CORNER COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL ON ALL CORNERS.

THIS IS A MIXED USE DISTRICT, AND THIS MULTIFAMILY PROJECT ACTS AS A BUFFER BETWEEN THE SINGLE FAMILY TO THE WEST, THE COMMERCIAL IN THAT QUADRANT AND THAT STATE ROAD ALONG THE EAST.

THIS LAST POLICY DESCRIBES HOW THE MOST INTENSE USES SHOULD BE AT THE CENTER OF THE ACTUAL MIXED USE DISTRICT, AND DECREASING, DECREASING OUT LIKE A GRADUAL INTENSITY INTENSIFICATION.

THIS PROPERTY IS IN THE CENTER OF THAT MIXED USE DISTRICT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION WITH RESIDENTIAL.

TO OUR WEST, WE HAVE THE STATE ROAD TO OUR EAST.

FROM A PLANNING PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS THE USE YOU WANT IN THIS LOCATION.

WE'RE ACTING AS A BUFFER BETWEEN THE COMMERCIAL AND THE MAJOR HIGHWAY.

MAJOR MAJOR ROAD. THIS POLICY FURTHER DISCUSSED USING ADEQUATE BUFFERING TO PROTECT EXISTING COMMUNITY, WHICH AS WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED, THERE'S A ROAD, THERE'S AN ACTUAL WHAT I WOULD CALL A SPIKE STRIP BETWEEN THE ROAD AND OUR PROPERTY.

PLUS WE HAVE 20FT, PLUS WE HAVE THE PARKING AND THEN THE BUILDING.

SO THERE IS ADEQUATE BUFFERING BETWEEN. SO THIS ANOTHER STANDARD IS COMPATIBILITY, WHICH THIS PROJECT MEETS. THIS PARTICULAR SECTION OF THE REQUIREMENTS EXPLAINS HOW A PD CAN BE COMPATIBLE BY TRANSITIONING.

USES. WE ARE RESIDENTIAL NEXT TO RESIDENTIAL.

IN ADDITION, THIS SECTION EXPLAINS HOW BUFFERING, SCREENING, BUILDING ORIENTATION CAN ALL BE USED TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS COMPATIBLE, WHICH WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED WE HAVE PROVIDED WE HAVE ENOUGH BUFFERING BETWEEN THE USES.

PLUS, WE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED THIS SITE TO HAVE THE BUILDING CENTERED AWAY FROM THE PERIMETER.

THIS STANDARD ALSO GOES ON TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE REMAINING PORTION.

IT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT MULTIFAMILY SHOULD SERVE TO SEPARATE RESIDENTIAL USES FROM COMMERCIAL.

THIS IS COPIED RIGHT OUT OF THE PD REQUIREMENTS.

SO IT'S SAYING MULTIFAMILY SHOULD BE USED AS A TRANSITION BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THIS PROJECT.

THIS PROJECT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE. IT'S BASICALLY A NATURAL TRANSITION.

QUICKLY I'LL JUST QUICKLY GO OVER SOME OF THE MINOR DETAILS.

THIS PROJECT IS ONLY PROJECTED TO PRODUCE 14 STUDENTS, SO WE WILL ABSOLUTELY ADHERE TO THIS,

[01:15:01]

THE CLOSEST MULTIFAMILY BUILDING TO ANOTHER SINGLE FAMILY HOME IS ALMOST 90FT.

WE WILL PROVIDE TWO ACRES OF ACTIVE REC WHICH MEETS THE STANDARDS.

WE AREN'T ASKING FOR ANY WAIVERS FOR THIS PROJECT.

AND I KNOW YOU ALL SEE PROBABLY A LOT OF WAIVERS WITHIN MANY PROJECTS.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS PROJECT MEETS THE INTENT OF THE MIXED USE LAND USE DESIGNATION, AND MEETS THE STANDARDS FOR THE PUD.

OKAY. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, I'M BILL SCHILLING WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES.

HOPE YOU I'M SORRY, I HOPE. HOPE YOU ALL ARE DOING WELL THIS MORNING.

I'M HERE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TRAFFIC AND THE IMPROVEMENT THAT IS PROPOSED.

I'M WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES. ADDRESS IS 12 740 GRAND BAY PARKWAY WEST, SUITE 2353 2258.

JUST KNOW THAT I'LL DO MY BEST TO BE A LITTLE LOUDER.

AND I'M A, I'M A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND SPECIALIZE IN TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING.

I'VE PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING SERVICES TO PROJECTS IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FOR A LITTLE OVER 25 YEARS.

KIMLEY-HORN WAS SELECTED TO PROVIDE THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE PROJECT.

WE PREPARED THE LAND DEVELOPMENT TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT THAT WAS A PART OF THE CONCURRENCY REVIEW THAT HAS GONE THROUGH STAFF REVIEW.

SO GIVEN THE TIME THAT WE'VE HAD IN WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS, STAFF HAS COMPLETED THEIR REVIEW OF OUR TRAFFIC CONCURRENCY SUBMITTAL AND ESSENTIALLY HAVE FOUND THAT WE COMPLY. WE MEET THE COUNTY'S CONCURRENCY STANDARDS WITH THE IMPROVEMENT THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO MAKE AT US ONE AND WATSON ROAD. SO SO WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS AT US ONE AND WATSON ROAD, WE COMPLY WITH THE COUNTY'S TRAFFIC CONCURRENCY ARGUMENTS.

AND I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT IMPROVEMENT.

WE ARE COMMITTING TO MAKE MAKE THE IMPROVEMENT THIS REQUIRED.

WE'RE NOT PAYING A PROPORTIONATE SHARE. WE'RE NOT PAYING A SHARE OF IT.

WE ARE COMMITTING TO MAKE THE ENTIRE IMPROVEMENT THAT IS REQUIRED, AND THAT THAT WAS DETERMINED AND IDENTIFIED AS A PART OF THAT TRAFFIC CONCURRENCY REVIEW.

AND THAT IMPROVEMENT IS ESSENTIALLY THE US ONE WATSON ROAD INTERSECTION.

AND AND FROM THE COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS, THE MEETINGS WE'VE HELD WITH THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE CERTAINLY HEARD MANY CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY AT THIS INTERSECTION, AND WE WOULD NOT ARGUE WITH THAT. WE BELIEVE AS WELL THAT THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED AT THIS INTERSECTION TO MAKE IT SAFER.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS MANY, IF NOT ALL, OF THOSE CONCERNS OF THE RESIDENTS THAT THAT WE BELIEVE AND I BELIEVE YOU MAY HEAR TODAY.

SO TO TALK A MINUTE ABOUT THE INTERSECTION, ONE OF ONE OF THE.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES WITH THE INTERSECTION. ONE IS THE EAST AND WEST APPROACHES TO THE INTERSECTION.

LET ME SEE IF I HIT THE RIGHT BUTTON HERE. SO THE THE WEST SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION AND THE EAST SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION, THIS IS US ONE NORTH IS UP IN THIS PICTURE. ESSENTIALLY THEY DO NOT ALIGN.

THEY'RE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AS WELL. THERE ARE NO PEDESTRIAN FEATURES AT THIS INTERSECTION.

SO? SO IT HAS NOT REALLY BEEN SET UP OR CONFIGURED FOR PEDESTRIANS.

WE ARE PLANNING TO TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION.

THIS IS A SCHEMATIC OF WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING AND WHAT WE BELIEVE THE INTERSECTION WILL LOOK LIKE.

WE ARE PROPOSING TO ADD TWO ADDITIONAL LANES ON THE WEST APPROACH SO THAT WHEN WE ARE FINISHED, THERE WILL BE TWO LEFT TURN LANES AND A COMBINED THROUGH RIGHT TURN LANE.

I WILL SHARE THAT THIS SCHEMATIC IS ULTIMATELY SUBJECT TO SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AND PERMITTING BY BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE DOT.

SO? SO THIS IS OUR BEST INTERPRETATION OF WHAT WE BELIEVE IT WILL LOOK LIKE.

MIGHT CHANGE SLIGHTLY AS WE GO THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS, BUT BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE THREE APPROACH LANES AS WELL.

WE'RE PROPOSING TO ADD PEDESTRIAN FEATURES. AND THE PEDESTRIAN HEADS, THE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS TO THE INTERSECTION.

WE ARE ALSO PROPOSING TO ADD LIGHTING TO THE INTERSECTION.

SO SO THE INTERSECTION WILL BE LIT AS WELL. WE'RE ALSO PROPOSING TO CHANGE THE TIMING, THE SIGNAL TIMING AND THE WAY THE SIGNAL OPERATES.

TODAY, BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT SEPARATE LEFT TURN LANES ON THE WEST APPROACH.

[01:20:03]

IT'S NOT A PROTECTED TURN. THEY HAVE TO TURN OPPOSING THE THREE VOLUMES AND THE LEFT TURN VOLUMES.

BY ADDING THESE LEFT TURN LANES, WE ARE GOING TO ADD A LEFT TURN PHASE TO THE SIGNAL.

SO THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE TURNING LEFT FROM THE WEST WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON A GREEN ARROW, A PROTECTED GREEN ARROW, WHICH IS GOING TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF THIS INTERSECTION.

AS WELL. AND I DIDN'T MENTION IT, BUT CERTAINLY THE IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE THE SIGNAL UPGRADES AND THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAST ARMS AND REPLACEMENT OF AT LEAST ONE, IF NOT BOTH OF THE MAST ARMS TO ACCOMMODATE THESE IMPROVEMENTS.

THIS ZOOMS OUT JUST A LITTLE BIT AND TURNS US SIDEWAYS.

SO NOW US ONE NORTH IS TO OUR RIGHT. WE WANTED TO SHOW AN OVERALL VIEW, TO TALK ABOUT ACCESS TO THE PROJECT AND HOW IT WORKS WITH THE IMPROVEMENT WE'RE PROPOSING.

AS MENTIONED, WE HAVE TWO ACCESS POINTS TO THE PROJECT.

OUR MAIN AND PRIMARY ACCESS IS TO ACCESSES TO US ONE WHICH IS A STATE ROAD.

IT'S A PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL. AGAIN, THAT WILL BE OUR MAIN IN AND OUT ACCESS.

WE HAVE A SECONDARY ACCESS TO WATSON ROAD. WHEN WE STARTED THIS PROCESS IT WAS AN IN AND AN OUT.

WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND FROM THE FEEDBACK FROM THE RESIDENTS THAT THEY WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT FOLKS QUEUING UP TO TURN LEFT INTO OUR SITE. SO AT THE LAST COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING, WE COMMITTED TO RESTRICTING THIS DRIVEWAY TO OUT ONLY.

SO OUR RESIDENTS WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO EXIT AT THIS DRIVEWAY AND NOT ENTER.

SO IT WILL ELIMINATE ANY LEFT TURN LANES IN ON WATSON ROAD AND ANY QUEUING ON WATSON ROAD.

SO SO THIS EXHIBIT SHOWS THAT THAT CHANGE AND AND LIMITING THIS ACCESS TO OUT ONLY.

AND WE THINK AS WELL THAT IS GOING TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE PROPOSAL.

AND THIS PROJECT IN TALKING THROUGH AND LOOKING AT THESE IMPROVEMENTS.

A COUPLE THINGS THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO NOTE WITH, WITH US RESTRICTING THE OUTBOUND TRAFFIC.

THIS DRIVEWAY TO OUTBOUND TRAFFIC IN THE PM PEAK HOUR, WEEKDAY PM PEAK HOUR, WHICH IS THE COUNTY'S.

CRITICAL HOUR THAT WE ANALYZE. FOR THE TRAFFIC STUDY, WE ARE PROJECTED TO ONLY ADD 24 LEFT.

LEFT TURNS OUTBOUND IN THE PEAK HOUR. IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, THAT'S NOT A VERY LARGE NUMBER.

THE CAPACITY THAT WE ARE ADDING TO THIS INTERSECTION THROUGH THIS IMPROVEMENT WILL EXCEED THE CAPACITY.

THAT IS REQUIRED OF OF THE TRAFFIC THAT WE'LL BE ADDING.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I WANT. TO MENTION, BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT TRAFFIC, WE ARE WITHIN A MIXED USE.

FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION. THERE ARE THERE ARE NUMEROUS USES HERE THAT THAT ARE WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT ARE OFTEN FOUND WITHIN MIXED USE DISTRICTS THAT ARE NON RESIDENTIAL, THAT WOULD BE MUCH HIGHER TRAFFIC GENERATORS.

SO SO AS AN EXAMPLE, WE WANTED TO SHARE THAT SHOULD THIS SITE DEVELOP AS RETAIL.

THE EXAMPLE WE'VE GIVEN IS 135,000 SQUARE FOOT GROCERY ANCHORED SHOPPING CENTER.

IT WOULD GENERATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE TRIPS AND JUST IN ROUND NUMBERS ON A DAILY BASIS.

WE'RE EXPECTING OUR PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE JUST A LITTLE UNDER 1400 TRIPS A DAY TOTAL.

A RETAIL CENTER WOULD BE JUST UNDER 12,000 TRIPS, ROUGHLY EIGHT AND A HALF TIMES AS MANY.

AND FROM A WEEKDAY PERSPECTIVE, WE'RE LOOKING AT 108 TOTAL PM PEAK HOUR TRIPS VERSUS A COMMERCIAL CENTER OF THE SIZE THAT COULD FIT ON THIS SITE WOULD BE A LITTLE OVER 1000. SO SO A LITTLE OVER TEN TIMES AS MANY TRIPS.

SO SO WE BELIEVE AND I BELIEVE FROM A TRAFFIC PERSPECTIVE, THAT THE USE THAT'S PROPOSED FROM A TRAFFIC GENERATION STANDPOINT IS REASONABLE, GIVEN THE MAJOR ARTERIAL THAT THE SITE SITS UPON AND THE ACCESS THAT WE'RE PROPOSING.

THAT CONCLUDES THE TRAFFIC PART. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO TO MR. JOE MECCA TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STORMWATER.

MR. SHILLING, I THINK WE MAY HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, COMMISSIONER DEANE.

BILL, CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE OVERHEAD THAT SHOWS THE EXIT ONTO US? COMING ONTO US? ONE THE RIGHT TURN ONLY. YES, SIR.

AT THIS THIS EXHIBIT THEY KNOW THAT THAT'S COMING OUT.

THAT'S A RIGHT TURN ONLY. YES, SIR. THIS WILL BE RIGHT.

[01:25:01]

YEAH. SO COMING OUT RIGHT. SO WHAT HAPPENS IF TRAFFIC IS GOING TO HEAD NORTH TO DOWNTOWN? WHERE WHERE IS IT? IS THERE A U-TURN? AND IF SO, OR A LIGHT? WHAT HAPPENS AFTER IT COMES? THE TRAFFIC COMES OUT? YES, SIR. GOOD QUESTION. SO? SO THE THINKING AND THE MODELING THAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT WE ANTICIPATE MOST PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING OUT TO TRAVEL NORTH WOULD COME OUT THROUGH THE OUT. AND, AND WOULD TAKE THE LEFT FROM WATSON.

BUT BUT YES, SIR. YOU ARE CORRECT BECAUSE THERE IS AN EXISTING MEDIAN ON US.

ONE THIS WOULD BE A RIGHT OUT. ONLY FOLKS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT OUT.

AND IF IF SOMEONE DID DECIDE TO COME OUT THIS ENTRANCE, THEY WOULD U-TURN AT AT THIS FIRST MEDIAN OPENING WOULD BE OUR EXPECTATION RIGHT HERE WITH WITH NO, NO LIGHT. JUST SO I UNDERSTAND. CORRECT? YES, SIR. YOU SAID HERE ON THE NORTH THAT THOSE THAT ARE COMING OUT AND ARE GOING NORTH, I SEE THAT YOU HAVE THE HAVE THE LEFT TURN LANES.

I THOUGHT YOU SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF CARS WAS 14.

IT'S 24. IS WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING. 24? YES, SIR.

IN THE PM PEAK HOUR HERE, MOST PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO GO NORTH FROM HERE.

THEY'RE ALL GOING TO COME OUT HERE. AND 24 CARS OUT OF PROBABLY 300.

YOU GOT 200 UNITS. YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE ROUGHLY 300 CARS.

I'M JUST TRYING TO GET MY HEAD AROUND THIS TRAFFIC THAT I'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF EMAILS, PEOPLE RAISING ISSUES ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS ALREADY BAD. AND I'M JUST TRYING TO SEE HOW THIS WOULD FIT IN.

YES, SIR. SO WHAT WHAT THE MODELING HAS SHOWN US IS THAT USING ITS TRIP GENERATION DATA IS WE'RE EXPECTING, I BELIEVE THE NUMBER IS ROUGHLY 108 TRIPS TOTAL IN THE AFTERNOON PEAK HOUR.

AND IN THE AFTERNOON PEAK HOUR, MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING HOME.

SO I BELIEVE WE'RE AROUND. I'VE GOT THE NUMBER IN FRONT OF ME.

SO IN THE PEAK HOUR. SO OVER THE COURSE OF THE HOUR, TYPICALLY THE HIGHEST HOUR, SOMEWHERE AROUND 430 TO 530 IN THAT RANGE.

WE HAVE ROUGHLY 68 INBOUND TRIPS, TOTAL PEAK HOUR AND ROUGHLY 40 OUTBOUND TRIPS.

AND OF THOSE 40 OUTBOUND TRIPS, WE'RE EXPECTING.

EXCUSE ME. PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP IT DOWN. THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT WE HAVE RULES OF DECORUM, AND WE'RE GOING TO ASK THAT YOU ADHERE TO THOSE.

THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO MAKE YOUR OPINIONS KNOWN.

MR. SCHULTZ. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. SO OF OF THOSE 40 OUTBOUND TRIPS, WE EXPECT 24 OF THEM TO USE THE OUT ON WATSON ROAD.

OKAY. THANK YOU I APPRECIATE IT. YEP. THANK YOU SIR.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. DEAN. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. OKAY I'M GOING TO USE MY POINTER TOO.

SO THIS EXIT OF THIS COMMERCIAL THAT'S ALREADY GOING TO BE BUILT BY THE TIME YOU YOU BUILD WHAT YOU WANT TO BUILD HERE.

SO THIS COMES OUT HERE AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE COMING OUT HERE.

I CAN JUST SEE THIS AREA BEING JUST A NIGHTMARE.

AND THEN ALSO WHEN YOU PEOPLE PLEASE WHEN YOU COME OUT HERE, YOU'RE NOT.

DON'T LOOK OVER HERE, MISS COMMISSIONER. SO I DON'T WANT TO BLIND YOU, BUT OVER HERE, YOU'D HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE LIGHT DOWN HERE TO MAKE A U-TURN.

I WOULD ASSUME, BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY NOT THE AREA TO TO DO THE U-TURN HERE.

AND THEN IF YOU'RE COMING THIS WAY AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A U-TURN TO GO IN HERE BECAUSE YOU'RE ONLY EXITING HERE.

I JUST FEEL LIKE IT'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC. AND THE OTHER THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD IS, IS IT NOT TRUE? WHEN YOU LOOK AT COMMERCIAL AND YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR COMMERCIAL, THEY'RE ALSO COUNTING PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THEIR WAY HOME THAT MAYBE PULL INTO THE PUBLIX AND PULL BACK OUT AS ONE TWO. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT A 10,000 TRAFFIC NUMBER THAT YOU HAVE, I THINK THOSE ARE.

THOSE COULD BE ANYTHING. I MEAN, IT'S NOT PEOPLE DIRECTLY GOING THERE LIKE THEY ARE GOING HOME AND THEN THEY'RE CLOSED IN THE EVENING.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT JUST SORT OF EVENS OUT. COMMERCIAL? I WOULD THINK SO. SORRY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO ASK.

YES, MA'AM. GOOD, GOOD. COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND I'LL WORK THROUGH THEM.

SO THE QUESTION ON THE COMMERCIAL IS, IS. YES, MA'AM.

YOU ARE CORRECT THAT THAT THERE IS SOME COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC.

THAT IS WHAT'S REFERRED TO AS PASS BY TRAFFIC THAT'S ALREADY ON THE ROAD, TYPICALLY BASED ON NATIONALLY AVAILABLE DATA THAT RANGES IN THE 30 TO 40% RANGE. SO MAYBE OF THOSE 11 TO 12,000 DAILY TRIPS, 30 TO 40% WOULD ALREADY BE ON US ONE PASSING THE SITE.

BUT BUT EVEN WITH THAT ADJUSTMENT, THE COMMERCIAL WOULD STILL RESULT IN A NET NET HIGHER NUMBER OF OF VEHICLES. TOTAL VEHICLES A DAY. NET NEW VEHICLES A DAY VERSUS THE RESIDENTIAL.

[01:30:06]

SO YOU ARE ADDING TRAFFIC TO THE INTERSECTION, TURNING TRAFFIC.

REGARDING THE THE QUESTION ABOUT THE TURNS. SO U-TURNS DON'T HAVE TO OCCUR AT A SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION.

THEY CAN OCCUR AT MEDIAN OPENINGS. THIS IS AN AVAILABLE MEDIAN OPENING.

I SUSPECT THAT OUR PROJECT TRAFFIC WOULD LIKELY USE THIS MEDIAN OPENING RATHER THAN TRAVELING SOUTH.

TO TO THE NEXT TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WE HAVE NOT SHOWN IT, BUT I SUSPECT THAT WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS, THE D.O.T. WILL LIKELY LIKELY REQUIRE US TO ADD SOME SORT OF TURN LANE OR ADDITIONAL ASPHALT APRON THERE FOR THE U.

TURNING U-TURNING TRAFFIC, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE REVIEWED AS A PART OF, AS A PART OF OUR DOT PERMIT APPLICATION.

AND THEN REGARDING REGARDING UP HERE WHAT I WOULD MENTION IS SO, SO OUR TRAFFIC, WHICH WILL BE OUTBOUND ONLY WILL ACTUALLY HAVE A VERY GOOD VIEW OF THIS DRIVEWAY.

AND, AND ULTIMATELY I DON'T SEE THERE BEING ANY SITE VISIBILITY ISSUES OR ANY KIND OF CONFLICT TYPE ISSUES. SO I DON'T SEE THAT AS AN ISSUE. THE OTHER PIECE OF THIS TO MENTION THAT I DIDN'T MENTION IS AS A PART OF THE CONCURRENCY REVIEW, WE DID EVALUATE THE OPERATION OF THIS SIGNAL WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS AND WITH THE BUILD OUT OF THE COMMERCIAL CENTER, WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT WAS APPROVED AHEAD OF US, THAT THAT WITH THIS PROJECT OR WITHOUT THIS PROJECT, IT IT WILL BE COMING. AND WITH THE SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS, WE ARE EXPECTED THAT THE SIGNAL WILL OPERATE AT LEVEL OF SERVICE C IN BOTH THE MORNING AND LEVEL OF SERVICE C IN THE EVENING AND THE PM PEAK HOUR, WHICH WHICH IS A GOOD LEVEL OF SERVICE.

I BELIEVE THE COUNTY'S ADOPTED LEVEL OF SERVICE ON US ONE IS A LEVEL OF SERVICE D, SO CERTAINLY WE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE COUNTY'S ADOPTED LEVEL OF SERVICE.

ONE OTHER QUICK THING THAT I DIDN'T MENTION THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO MENTION WHEN I TALKED ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS AS YOU CAN SEE, THE, THE WHICH THE QUESTION ABOUT THE COMMERCIAL REMINDED ME ABOUT THIS IS WITH THIS COMMERCIAL CENTER NOW GOING IN AND HAVING THIS DEVELOPMENT LOCKED IN PLACE, THE ONLY REAL WAY TO MAKE THESE IMPROVEMENTS IS TO ACQUIRE RIGHT OF WAY FROM WHAT IS THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH IS THIS PROJECT'S PROPERTY AS A PART OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT.

WE ALSO ARE PROPOSING TO DEDICATE THE RIGHT OF WAY.

SO SO THAT IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF GETTING THESE IMPROVEMENTS MADE, IS THE DEDICATION OF THIS RIGHT OF WAY THAT AT THIS POINT, WITH THIS COMMERCIAL CENTER BEING BUILT, REALLY HAS TO COME FROM THE SOUTH SIDE, FROM THIS, FROM THIS PARCEL. AND I HOPE THAT ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME? ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MR. SCHILLING. THANK YOU. DOES THE APPLICANT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE, MR. MIKA? YEAH.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JOE MIKA.

I'M WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES. THE ADDRESS IS 12740 GRAND PARKWAY WEST, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32258. I'M A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

I'VE BEEN PRACTICING CIVIL ENGINEERING FOR THE PAST 29 YEARS HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

MY AREA OF EXPERTISE IS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, SPECIFICALLY LAND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING.

THE PROPERTIES OF DRAINAGE, GRADING WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES, THOSE ARE MY AREAS OF COMPETENCY AND EXPERTISE.

AND I'M GONNA TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DRAINAGE ON THIS PROJECT THIS MORNING.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. AS A CIVIL ENGINEER, MY JOB IS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. THAT'S WHAT I. THAT'S WHAT I'M EMPLOYED TO DO.

WE LOOK AT EACH PROBLEM UNIQUELY. AND SOME OF THEM HAVE DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.

AND CERTAINLY ALL OF THEM HAVE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.

IN DOING THAT WE LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SOLUTION.

WE LOOK AT THE CONSTRAINTS. WE LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES, THE CODES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY GOOD ENGINEERING JUDGMENT AND TECHNIQUES.

AND FOREMOST, WE APPLY PROPERTIES AND GUIDANCE THAT MEETS THE HEALTH, WELFARE AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC IN THOSE DECISIONS.

[01:35:06]

THIS IS OUR SITE. AGAIN, PART PARDON THE ORIENTATION HERE, BUT NORTH IS ORIENTED TO THE PAGE LEFT.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE COMMERCIAL PROJECT THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED THAT WE'VE REFERENCED HERE SEVERAL TIMES THIS MORNING.

THERE ON THE LEFT SIDE, THE RED LINES ON THIS EXHIBIT REPRESENT THE GREATER DRAINAGE BASINS FOR THIS, THIS PART OF WATSON ROAD AND US ONE. THE TEAL OR LIGHT BLUE SHADE ARROWS REPRESENTS THE GENERAL FLOW PATTERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE DRAINAGE AND SUBBASIN AREAS. YOU CAN SEE GENERALLY HOW THIS FLOWS.

A MAJORITY OF IT TO US ONE AND WATSON ROAD, INCLUDING SOME OF THE PROPERTY AND PROPERTY NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS APPLICATION THAT FLOW DIRECTLY TO WATSON ROAD. THE GENERAL FLOW OF THE DRAINAGE IN THIS AREA IS TO THE NORTH TO MOULTRIE CREEK. IT'S ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF, GIVE OR TAKE, AWAY THROUGH A SERIES OF WETLAND AREAS AND NATURAL AREAS.

AND HERE'S ANOTHER EXHIBIT IDENTIFYING SOME OF THE EXISTING DRAINAGE CHARACTERISTICS THAT ARE PRESENT TODAY, ALONG WITH THOSE DRAINAGE PATTERNS AND A SUPERIMPOSED SITE PLAN OF OUR PROJECT, INCLUDING DEPARTMENT LAYOUTS.

AND WE HAVE TWO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES OR STORMWATER PONDS, AS THEY'RE REFERRED TO, WHICH YOU CAN YOU CAN SEE HERE. THERE'S TWO CULVERTS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED THAT CROSS UNDER WATSON ROAD.

ALL OF THOSE WILL BE MAINTAINED AND UTILIZED.

AND AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE ARE ESSENTIALLY THE HEADWATERS OF THIS PART OF, OF THE COUNTY AND THE WATSON ROAD DRAINAGE BASIN FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY WE GOT INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT.

IT WAS IDENTIFIED BY COUNTY STAFF THAT THERE ARE SOME LOCALIZED DRAINAGE ISSUES, INCLUDING SOME LOCALIZED DRAINAGE FLOODING, AND THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL NEED TO BE LOOKED AT AND ADDRESSED AS WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.

SUBSEQUENTLY, IN OUR VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD AND STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS, THOSE COMMENTS, THOSE CONCERNS WERE ALSO RAISED.

BASED ON OUR OWN PERSONAL OBSERVATION, DESKTOP ANALYSIS, WE RECOGNIZE THOSE.

THERE'S NO DENYING IT. WE DO AGREE THAT THERE IS SOME SLOW MOVING DRAINAGE IN THIS AREA, AND WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S SOME LOCALIZED FLOODING.

I WILL STATE THAT THAT FLOODING THOSE ISSUES ARE NOT ATTRIBUTED TO THIS PROPERTY OR THIS PROJECT.

THOSE FLOODING ISSUES ARE NOT DIRECTLY A RESULT OR THE REASON FOR BECAUSE OF THIS PROPERTY.

THIS PROPERTY IS IN THE BASIN. IT DOES CONTRIBUTE TO IT, BUT IT IS NOT THE REASON FOR THE FLOODING.

WE ARE ON THE UPPER END OF THE BASIN, MEANING THAT WE ARE ESSENTIALLY THE STARTING POINT WHERE EVERYTHING DRAINS FROM ABOUT WHERE OUR PROJECT IS.

ABOUT HERE. AND EVERYTHING FLOWS TO THE NORTH, AS I MENTIONED, TO MOULTRIE, MOULTRIE CREEK.

SO IN DEALING WITH DRAINAGE AS A PROFESSIONAL HERE LOCALLY, WE HAVE CRITERIA THAT'S BOTH IN THE COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE PART SIX.

IT'S ALSO IN THE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE FOR THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. AND ALSO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS CRITERIA THAT WE HAVE TO MEET.

WE HAVE TO RETAIN THE POST-DEVELOPMENT STORMWATER TO A RATE THAT CAN'T EXCEED THE PRE-DEVELOPMENT RATE OF DISCHARGE.

AND THE WAY WE DO THAT IS THROUGH CREATING STORMWATER PONDS OR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES.

WE HAVE TO SIZE THESE PONDS FOR THE MEAN ANNUAL STORM.

THE 25 YEAR STORM, 100 YEAR STORM, AND THERE WAS ABOUT 35 VARIOUS STORMS THE DOT WILL REQUIRE, AND THIS PROJECT WILL MEET OR EXCEED THOSE CRITERIA LIMITS.

THE PONDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT ON SITE ARE REQUIRED FOR BOTH TREATMENT, WHICH IS TO TAKE CARE OF DISSOLVED PARTICLES AND TURBIDITY THAT CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH STORMWATER RUNOFF. IT ALSO HAS TO MEET ATTENUATION, WHICH AGAIN, I REFER BACK TO THE PREDEVELOPMENT DISCHARGE RATE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT TODAY. WE HAVE TO MEET THAT IN THE FUTURE IN THE POST-DEVELOPMENT CONDITION AND WE WILL MEET THAT ALSO.

THE POND IS GOING TO RETAIN THE FIRST FLUSH OF RUNOFF.

WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A CONTROL STRUCTURE SO THAT THAT FIRST FLUSH OF RUNOFF IS GOING IS GOING TO STAGE IN THESE STORMWATER PONDS, WHICH DOES NOT OCCUR TODAY.

THE FIRST RAINFALL EVENT THAT HAPPENS TODAY, IT LANDS ON THE PROPERTY.

IT'S GENERALLY A LARGE WETLAND. THERE'S A LOT OF STANDING WATER ON IT, WHICH I THINK EVERYONE HAS SEEN OR CAN ATTEST TO.

AND ONCE THAT WATER STARTS TO SWELL AND STARTS TO ACCUMULATE, IT IMMEDIATELY STARTS TO DISCHARGE AND PUT PRESSURE ONTO WATSON ROAD AND THE REMAINING

[01:40:01]

IT HELPS SLOW THE RELEASE AND IT HELPS AGAIN, WE HAVE TO MEET THE PRE-DEVELOPMENT RATE SO WE WON'T BE PUTTING ANY ADDITIONAL STORMWATER ADDITIONAL RATE INTO INTO THIS BASIN. AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE TO MEET THE CRITERIA OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND ALSO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND WE WILL DO THAT. IN A COUPLE OF NOTES HERE, I WANT TO ADD, AS I KNOW THAT WE'VE THAT WE'VE PRESENTED BEFORE.

AND THERE ARE SOME THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS ON THIS. I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST ADD THAT THE PROPERTY IS ABOUT 15.7 ACRES IN SIZE.

OUR POND ACREAGE THAT WE'RE SETTING ASIDE FOR TWO PONDS IS ALMOST THREE ACRES, WHICH IS A LITTLE GREATER THAN 18%, WHICH IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FOR A PROJECT THAT'S ABOUT 60% IMPERVIOUS.

IMPERVIOUS, MEANING THE AMOUNT OF SURFACE COVERAGE THAT YOU HAVE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW FOR A PERCOLATION.

SO THAT'S A VERY HEALTHY NUMBER FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND FOR STORMWATER ATTENUATION.

WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN THE NORMAL WATER CONDITIONS THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE WETLAND THAT'S THERE TODAY. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT BY CODE. SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STANDING WATER ELEVATIONS THERE TODAY.

AND I'LL STAND BY FOR ANY QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. NEXT WE WANTED TO. I GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS IAN SLAVIN, AND I AND THE PRINCIPAL AT NUVO DEVELOPMENT.

I JUST WANTED TO GET UP HERE VERY BRIEFLY TODAY AND GIVE YOU A LITTLE INSIGHT AS TO WHO I AM, WHY WE'VE CHOSEN THIS LOCATION TO DEVELOP APARTMENTS HERE.

I AM NOT A LARGE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPER COMING IN FROM OUT OF STATE LOOKING TO MERCHANT.

BUILD THESE APARTMENTS, FLIP THEM AND GET OUT.

I AM A LONG TERM HOLDER. I'M LOOKING TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

SO ANY ISSUES THAT ARISE FROM STORMWATER TO TRAFFIC ARE MY ISSUES AS WELL.

I'M ONLY INCENTIVIZED TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PROBLEMS DON'T BECOME PROBLEMS TO THE GREATER SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND AS TO WHY I'VE SELECTED THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION AS AN EXCELLENT SITE FOR AN APARTMENT PROJECT IS IS LOCAL. SO I ACTUALLY HAVE, YOU KNOW, DEEP ROOTS HERE.

MY FATHER IS A TOUR GUIDE IN DOWNTOWN SAINT AUGUSTINE.

HE SINCE I WOULD SAY SINCE COVID, HE'S SEEN HIS RENTAL RATES SKYROCKET.

I THINK HE'S GOT SIX MONTHS LEFT ON HIS LEASE, AND THERE IS SUCH LIMITED SUPPLY IN THE AREA.

HE'S HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE TO MOVE.

SO I'M LOOKING TO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS BY PUTTING A LITTLE BIT MORE SUPPLY IN THE MARKET AND CREATING HOUSING FOR THE THE SERVICE INDUSTRY, THE HOSPITAL WORKERS, THE CADETS THAT WERE SITTING BACK HERE THIS MORNING.

AND HOPEFULLY THAT ALLEVIATES SOME OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE PRESSURES ON THE RENTS IN THE AREA.

AND THAT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON ME AND THE PROJECT AND I HOPE, YOU KNOW, I HOPE I HOPE YOU ALL UNDERSTAND THAT AND APPROVE IT.

THANK THANK YOU, MR. SLATER. MR. INGRAM. ANYTHING ELSE? YES. THANK YOU. SO MIKE WILL BE GIVING REBUTTAL LATELY.

HERE'S A SUMMARY. OR HE WILL GIVE A REBUTTAL AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

HERE'S A SUMMARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT. BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME ON THIS, AND WE'LL STAND BY FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT. IF THERE AREN'T ANY QUESTIONS NOW, MADAM VICE CHAIR, I'D LIKE TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD SHOULD COME TO THE PODIUM AND STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS.

EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE BOARDS RULES OF DECORUM.

COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND NOT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER, AND MAY NOT INCLUDE A DEMAND FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD.

NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL, IMPERTINENT, OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ANY DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATION OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS.

FINALLY, I WOULD ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER THAT PRESENTS ANY OVERHEAD MATERIAL, PLEASE PRESENT THAT MATERIAL TO THE STAFF OF THE CLERK OF COURT TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD. THANK YOU. PLEASE FORGIVE ME. MADAM VICE CHAIR.

LEGAL? YES. CHRISTINE VALLIER, SENIOR ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR THE RECORD.

WE DO HAVE TWO DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE GROUPS.

THE FIRST GROUP IS REPRESENTED BY MARK ALBANESE.

REPRESENTING EIGHT PEOPLE. THE POLICY PROVIDES FIVE MINUTES FOR MR. ALBANESE. AND THE SECOND GROUP IS REPRESENTED BY JUDY SPIEGEL.

[01:45:02]

OKAY. SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAR MR. ALBANESE FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MADAM VICE CHAIR AND THEN MR. SPIEGEL FOR TEN MINUTES.

ABSOLUTELY. COME ON DOWN. MR. ALBANESE HERE? YES.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING SIR.

WELCOME. OKAY. SO. WHAT? MR. ALBANESE, WOULD YOU MIND STOPPING HIS CLOCK? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE SPEAKING INTO THE MICROPHONE SO WE CAN CAPTURE IT FOR THE RECORD. NOW, CAN WE MAKE SURE THE MICROPHONE IS ON? IT'S NOT ON YET. NO, SIR. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE WORKING NOW.

OKAY. YOU'RE ALL QUEUED UP. YOU'RE IN FRONT OF THE MICROPHONE. YOU'RE READY TO GO. GOT FIVE MINUTES. GOOD MORNING, CAPTAIN MARK ALBANY, 17 YEAR RESIDENT, 5005 MILITARY RESERVE COURT.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY OPINION ON THE PUD REZONING REQUEST.

I SPEAK TODAY ON BEHALF OF A GROUP OF RESIDENTS WHO ALL OPPOSE THIS DEVELOPMENT, AS IT IS A PROJECT THAT IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE AREA AND IS WRONG FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SHOULD BE DENIED. WE BASE OUR OPPOSITION ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE STATEMENTS OF FACT OF THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST TO REZONE THE LAND.

THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN SECTION A 1.3.11. SURROUNDING LAND USES.

WHEN A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT TO REZONE OR DEVELOP APPLICATION IS CONSIDERED.

THE COUNTY SHALL ENSURE COMPATIBILITY WITH THE ADJACENT SURROUNDING LANDS.

IT GOES ON TO SAY COMPATIBILITY DOES NOT MEAN SAME AS.

COMPATIBILITY REFERS TO SENSITIVITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT TO THE PROPOSALS AND MAINTAINING THE CHARACTER OF EXISTING COMMUNITY, AND REZONING REQUESTS MAY ONLY BE APPROVED UPON DETERMINING THAT THE APPLICANT HAS PRESENTED EVIDENCE THAT ALL THAT ALL OF THE CONFORMING LAND USE IS COMPATIBLE WITH ALL LAND USE LOCATED ON ADJACENT PROPERTIES.

COMPATIBILITY IS DEFINED IN THE SAINT JOHN'S LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 5.03.03 FOR REVIEW FOR PUD DISTRICTS.

PARAGRAPH A PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS STATES THAT PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SHALL MAKE THE TRACT SUITABLE FOR DRAINAGE MEADOWS.

DESTRUCTION OF 8.3 THREE ACRES OF MODERATE QUALITY WETLAND WILL HAVE IMPACT NOT ONLY ON THEIR LAND BUT ALSO SURROUNDING LAND WHERE THE WETLAND EXTENDS TO.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED BUT NEGLECTED TO CONTAIN THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

DUE DILIGENCE IS LACKING EN VIVO IN THIS AREA.

THUS, THE ALREADY QUESTIONABLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND DRAINAGE ALONG WATSON ROAD HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY ASSESSED FOR THIS PROJECT.

IN ADDITION, THE WATSON ROAD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT JUST NORTH OF THIS WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE 50% OF THE WETLAND RETAINED TO ALLOW FOR FREE FLOW OF WATER IN THIS AREA.

WHY SHOULD MEVO NOT BE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS? IN CONCLUSION, THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT WATSON ROAD DRAINAGE.

THUS, MEVO DOES NOT MEET THE PARAGRAPH STANDARD FOR COMPATIBILITY.

PARAGRAPH C DENSITY. INTENSITY STATES THAT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SHALL HAVE A DENSITY IN CHARACTER WITH THE WITH THE SURROUNDING USES AND ZONING. 13 UNITS PER ACRE IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE NEIGHBORING MOULTRIE RESERVE.

COURT IS AT 0.73. THIS IS A 1,781% CHANGE IN 20FT.

CONCLUSION. THIS REQUEST IS NOT IN CHARACTER WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA.

MEVO DID NOT MEET THE THIS PARAGRAPH STANDARD FOR COMPATIBILITY.

PARAGRAPH F COMPATIBILITY STATES THE PUD SHALL BE LOCATED AND DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF TRAFFIC, LIGHT AND NOISE. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION OF TRAFFIC ALREADY.

DISCUSSION OF THE FACT THAT TRAFFIC WILL BE HEADING DIRECTLY AT EACH OTHER FROM THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND THE EXIT FOR THIS PROPERTY. 400 CARS 20FT FROM MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT WILL DEFINITELY AFFECT THE NOISE ON RESERVE COURT. LIGHT POLLUTION WILL INUNDATE MILITARY RESERVE COURT AS THESE PROPOSED BUILDINGS, PLUS BACKFILL WILL BE AT 50FT. THIS WILL WASH OUR HOMES IN OUR YARDS IN LIGHT.

THERE WILL BE NOISE FROM THE 1383 CARS STARTING, STOPPING DAILY JUST 20FT FROM OUR HOMES.

ALSO, WITH THE REMOVAL OF ALL VEGETATION, THE NOISE FROM US ONE WILL ALSO INCLUDE INCREASE.

THUS, MEVO AGAIN IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THIS TRANSITIONS.

PARAGRAPH G. THE POD SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARACTER OF THE AREA AND PROVIDE GRADUAL TRANSITION.

[01:50:06]

800. 833%. CHANGE. THIS IS NOT GRADUAL. THIS SHOULD BE REJECTED.

I WANT TO PUT THIS IN YOUR MIND. WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT.

IF YOU WERE SITTING IN OUR HOMES, MEVO WOULD START THEIR PARKING LOT THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY BACK IN THIS, IN THIS, THIS ROOM. THERE'LL BE 400 CARS THERE.

THE BUILDING WILL BE IN THE LOBBY OVERLOOKING OUR PROPERTY.

THAT IS NOT COMPATIBILITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. ALBANESE. THANKS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

THIS IS JUDY SPIEGEL FROM 101 GREEN WILLOW LANE.

FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO COME BEFORE YOU.

I THANK THE MIVO PEOPLE. THEY DID A NICE PRESENTATION.

I MET MR. SLAVIN. I WISH HIM ALL THE LUCK. I REALLY HOPE HE HAS SUCCESS.

I THINK HE HAS 4 OR 5 PROJECTS GOING IN THE STATE.

WE'RE TRYING TO. SO I WISH HIM SUCCESS. I CONTEND THAT THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT PROJECT FOR THIS AREA.

BASED ON THREE FINDINGS, THREE LARGE ISSUES. I THINK WE'VE DISCUSSED ALL THREE TODAY.

I STAND HERE REPRESENTING SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THERE WILL BE PEOPLE FOLLOWING ME.

I'M SURE WE'LL DO A MUCH BETTER JOB THAN I AM, BUT I HAVE TIME AND I'M WILLING TO BE HERE AND SPEAK FOR THESE PEOPLE.

SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN. I'M EXPRESSING THE CONCERNS OVER THE MULTIFAMILY OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THE RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA AND THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE THAT ARE OPPOSED TO THESE PROJECTS.

NOT EVERYBODY IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT I SPOKE WITH OSPREY LANDING, WINTON CIRCLE, MILITARY RESERVE COURT, DEERFIELD, GLEN, DEERFIELD TRACE AND THE VILLAGES OF VALENCIA, WHICH IS ACROSS US ONE. THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE THE PROPOSED AREA RIGHT OFF OF WATSON ROAD.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT IS QUITE WET, AS WE HAVE HEARD, AND IT DOES HOLD A LOT OF THE WATER THAT THAT COMES IN THESE RAIN SEASONS. BUT YOU CAN SEE THERE'S LINES HERE FROM WHERE THE WATER HAS BEEN TO WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW. WE'VE HAD A FAIRLY DRY YEAR AND THIS HOLDS QUITE A BIT OF WATER.

SO I THINK THE IDEA THAT THE WATER JUST COMES AND RUSHES OUT OF HERE IMMEDIATELY IS A LITTLE DISINGENUOUS.

ALTHOUGH I AM NOT AN ENGINEER AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT ALL WORKS.

YOU CAN ALSO SEE THERE ARE CYPRESS KNEES WHICH ARE INDICATORS OF THESE.

THIS HAS BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME. AS THEY MENTIONED IN THEIR PRESENTATION, THIS IS THE HEADWATER OF A SERIES OF WETLANDS THAT HAS BEEN DIVIDED BY MANY ROADS. ONE OF THOSE ROADS IS WATSON ROAD.

AND WE'LL BE TALKING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WATSON ROAD IN THE IN THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATION.

BUT THIS PLAN, THEY HAVE A TOTAL ACREAGE OF 15.7 ACRES AND THE WETLANDS COMPRISE OVER 50% OF THIS.

THEY ARE PLANNING TO DEVELOP 100% OF THESE WETLANDS AND THEIR STORMWATER POND AREA.

IT WILL BE 2.9 ACRES. THEY ARE USING HAVING 20% PERVIOUS, WHICH IS GRASS.

SO THE WATER CAN PERCOLATE DOWN THROUGH WHICH I THINK SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

AND 60% IMPERVIOUS. AND I BELIEVE 70% IS THE LIMIT FOR DEVELOPMENT.

SO THEY HAVE MADE AN EFFORT IN THAT. BUT WE DO KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THESE AREAS WHERE THERE HAS BEEN DEVELOPMENT.

AND EVEN THE BEST INTENTIONS DON'T ALWAYS PREDICT HOW WATER AND HOW NATURE ARE GOING TO BEHAVE.

AND WE KNOW WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OSPREY LANDING WITH WINTON CIRCLE AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

NOW WE'LL GO TO THE TRAFFIC CONCERNS. THE 2021 TRAFFIC REPORT SAID THAT US ONE SECTION FROM WILDWOOD DOWN WAS AT 81.17%. THAT WAS IN 2021.

AND WE DO KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD QUITE AN INCREASE IN POPULATION IN THIS AREA.

CURRENTLY CLASSIFIED AS CRITICAL IN THE STAFF REPORT FOR CONCURRENCY REVIEW PURPOSES AT 91.2%.

THAT SECTION OF US ONE THE THERE ARE THEY ARE SUGGESTING 1383 DAILY TRIPS.

[01:55:01]

SOMEBODY ASKED THAT, SO I CUT IT IN HALF, FIGURING 50% OF THE TRIPS ARE GOING OUT, 50% ARE COMING IN AND THEN TOOK 80% OF THAT NUMBER AND GOT 552.

SO THIS TRAFFIC WILL BE MERGING WITH WATSON ROAD AND THE COMMERCIAL, WHICH IS ONLY 144FT AWAY.

SO HERE ARE THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS. AND HERE IS THE NEW DRIVEWAY FOR THE COMMERCIAL ACROSS THE STREET.

AND WE DO NOT HAVE A NUMBER OF POSSIBILITY OF TRAFFIC GENERATED FROM THIS, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A RESTAURANT AND SOME RETAIL, BUT WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE NAIL SALONS OR TAX PEOPLE OR WHATEVER.

SO FROM HERE TO HERE IS 144FT. THIS IS THE WATSON ROAD COMMERCIAL COMING RIGHT OUT.

SO THERE WILL BE A BOTTLENECK HERE. THESE PEOPLE COME OUT THE 552 CARS AND ALL THE HOUR TRAFFIC JOINING IN WITH IT WILL BE BOTTLENECKED HERE. AND THEN COMES THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AS WE DID HERE, THE WATSON ROAD EAST AND WEST SEGMENTS ARE OFFSET. THIS PLAN ADDS HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES, EVEN THOUGH IT DOES OFFER A SOLUTION.

ADDING HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES TO ALREADY IMPACTED ROADWAY SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A COUNTERINTUITIVE MOVE.

WE DON'T BELIEVE THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS WILL OFFSET THAT VOLUME OF TRAFFIC.

AS WAS MENTIONED BY THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER, THE WATSON ROAD COMMERCIAL ACROSS THE STREET WAS APPROVED ON A CONTINGENCY IN 2017 THAT 50% OF THE WETLANDS WOULD BE PRESERVED. I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT WAS OR WHY THIS ISN'T.

BUT THEY DID DO A LOT OF WORK, AND THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF EFFORT.

THEY'VE HAD TO RAISE AND LOWER AND DIG OUT AND PUT BACK IN THEIR PIPES AND THE SEWAGE DRAINAGE THEY HAD TO PUT IN A BULKHEAD.

AND BUT 50% OF THEIR WETLANDS ARE PRESERVED. AND THIS WILL BE THEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN SOUTHBOUND EXIT FROM ROUTE ONE SOUTH AS WELL.

MULTIFAMILY, I BELIEVE, IS A QUESTION OF COMPATIBILITY.

THE SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE DOES SAY THAT THE PROPERTY SHOULD MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF EXTERNAL IMPACTS, SUCH AS TRAFFIC, NOISE AND LIGHTS, THAT THE TRANSITION SHOULD BE GRADUAL CHANGES IN INTENSITY OR DENSITY.

WE DO NOT SEE THAT THIS IS GRADUAL AT ALL. IT IS THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE DENSITY FOR MIXED USE.

WE DON'T BELIEVE IT'S A SUITABLE LOCATION FOR THE AREA AND CHARACTER FACILITATE PROTECTION OF THE CHARACTER OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE DENSITY OR INTENSITY AND CHARACTER OF THE SURROUNDING LAND USES. THE COMPATIBILITY AS WE DID HERE.

HEAR SENSITIVITY TO THE OLDER NOISE, VIBRATION AND LIGHTING.

WE DO WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THE PGA RECOMMENDED DENIAL OF THIS PROJECT ON APRIL 21ST OF 2022, WITH A 5 TO 2 VOTE. WE BELIEVE COMPATIBILITY, TRAFFIC AND THE WETLANDS ARE ALL NEGATIVE ISSUES FOR THIS PROJECT.

WE BELIEVE THAT THIS UNDULY NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THE NEIGHBORHOODS DIRECTLY IN THIS AREA.

AND WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CHARACTER OF THE AREA.

ALTHOUGH IT IS A NICE PROJECT, I LIKE IT. I THINK IT WOULD BE FINE SOMEWHERE, BUT I JUST DON'T THINK SHOEHORNING IT IN RIGHT HERE IS THE EXACT RIGHT PLACE.

THE FLORIDA LAND USE DOES ALLOW FOR 13 UNITS PER ACRE.

THAT IS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE, AND THEY JUST SHOOT FOR THE TOP NUMBER.

I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE. WELL, I GUESS WE UNDERSTAND WHY.

BUT THAT NUMBER CAN BE REDUCED OR ADJUSTED BASED ON BASED ON EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS.

SO BASED ON ALL OF THIS INFORMATION ON MULTIFAMILY, THE LOCAL RESIDENTS DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO DENY THIS PROJECT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE? COME ON DOWN. WE'VE GOT THREE MICROPHONES IF Y'ALL WANT TO START LINING UP. TO SPEAK.

AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, IF YOU WERE REPRESENTED BY EITHER MR. ALBANESE OR MISS SPIEGEL, THEN THEIR THEIR PUBLIC COMMENT HAS BEEN COVERED BY THOSE TWO REPRESENTATIVES.

OKAY. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN SEE THE TRAFFIC ON THIS.

MY NAME IS GLORIA WHITE. I'M AT 949 RIDGEWOOD LANE.

I AM IN THE SOUTHWOOD SUBDIVISION. JUST IN CASE ANYBODY DOESN'T KNOW THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT WE HAVE ON US.

[02:00:08]

THE TRAFFIC GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MOULTRIE CREEK.

AND IT IS CONTINUOUS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR THE THE PRESENTERS.

THERE WAS NEVER A MENTION OF WHAT THE RENTAL RATES WOULD BE.

I DO SEE THAT THEY'RE GIVING TEN UNITS TO THE WORKFORCE PROJECT.

I DO SEE THAT OUT OF THE 204, BUT THE AMOUNT OF THE RENTALS FOR THE ONE, TWO AND THREE BEDROOM APARTMENTS HAS NOT BEEN MENTIONED. ADDING 1400 VEHICLES PER DAY TO THIS AREA WOULD BE A CATASTROPHE.

ONE THING THAT HASN'T BEEN BROUGHT UP. THIS IS A IS A 55 MILE AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT.

IT IS HORRIBLE. A SPEED STUDY WAS DONE FOR FDOT PER MY REQUEST, PLUS SOME OTHER REQUESTS FOR FROM FDOT.

I STARTED SPEAKING WITH THEM JANUARY OF 2022.

THEY WE WERE TRYING TO GET A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE MAYO CLINIC.

DEFINITELY TURNED DOWN FOR ANOTHER PROJECT, AND I ASKED FOR A SPEED STUDY.

AND I DID GET THAT. AND THAT IS ON RECORD WITH FDOT IF THEY WANT TO CHECK IT.

AVERAGE SPEED NORTH AND SOUTHBOUND LANES. JUST NORTH OF WATSON ROAD IS 62 MILES AN HOUR, WHICH CAN YOU IMAGINE ADDING ALL THAT TRAFFIC TO THAT INTERSECTION AND THOSE CARS TRAVELING AT 62 MILES AN HOUR AND AVERAGE SPEED? THE FOR STARTERS, THE ENTRY AND EXIT THAT GOES ON US ONE.

IF THOSE PEOPLE STILL WANT TO GO NORTH, THAT MEANS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PULL OUT IMMEDIATELY.

HAVE TO GET OVER INTO THE LEFT HAND LANE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT TURN IN THAT MEDIAN.

AND TRUST ME, THERE'S A LARGE MEDIAN IN FRONT OF MY SUBDIVISION.

WE HAVE TRAFFIC COMING FROM THE NORTH, THE SOUTH, THE EAST, THE WEST.

AND THEY ALL CONVERGE THERE. WE'VE HAD MANY ACCIDENTS, AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.

TO ME, THIS KIND OF GROWTH AND TRAFFIC AT THAT MAJOR INTERSECTION IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MANY, MANY TRAFFIC DEATHS THERE.

THERE'S NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONSIDER LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS THERE.

SO MAYBE THIS GROUP WOULD BE ONE TO TRY TO GET THAT DONE, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. GOOD MORNING, SIR.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SUSAN BAKER AND I LIVE AT 112 GREEN WILLOW LANE.

THAT IS IN OSPREY LANDING. I'VE ALREADY SENT YOU ALL AN EMAIL BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK I COULD BE HERE TODAY, SO. AND IT'S CAPSULIZED WITH THE FOUR MAIN POINTS.

AND THEY MIRROR THE SAME FOUR MAIN ISSUES THAT WERE EXPRESSED AT THE MEETING ON BELLA TERRA PROPOSAL, WHICH YOU ARE ALL HERE FOR. AND YOU APPROPRIATELY VOTED TO DENY NUMBER ONE POPULATION UNIT DENSITY.

THIS 204 UNIT, THREE STORY APARTMENT COMPLEX REFLECTS APPROXIMATELY 13 UNITS PER ACRE AND A SMALL PARCEL OF LAND IN AN AREA WHICH CURRENTLY IS SURROUNDED BY A BY A DENSITY OF ONLY 1.6 TO 3 UNITS PER ACRE.

THIS IS TOTALLY OUT OF LINE WITH ALL SURROUNDING HOUSING.

NUMBER TWO TRAFFIC AND SAFETY. MOST OF US WHO LIVE HERE ARE VERY AWARE OF THE SPIKE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON BOTH US ONE AND I-95, WHICH ARE NOW OFTEN DISRUPTING OUR DAILY TRAFFIC AS WELL AS EVEN COSTING LIVES.

YOU NEED ONLY SPEAK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE LARGE THREE STORY UNITS, WHICH HAVE BEEN ALLOWED IN THE VICINITY OF ROUTE 16 AND I-95 TO SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING. WATSON ROAD AND US ONE ARE EVEN LESS ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE ADDED TRAFFIC THAT THIS PUD WILL BRING. NUMBER THREE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT IS FURTHER REGRETTABLE TO CALL THESE LUXURY APARTMENTS.

SAINT JOHNS COUNTY IS ALREADY SADLY LACKING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR AVERAGE WORKING PEOPLE, AND I THINK THIS 20% REDUCTION IN RENT FOR ONLY 5% OF THESE UNITS IS IT'S REALLY A TOKEN NUMBER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. WETLANDS, WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING OR TALKING ABOUT 50% OR 70% COVERAGE,

[02:05:07]

WHEN BUILT UPON, THAT WATER WILL GO SOMEWHERE.

I SAW THE BUILDING OF WINDING CREEK, WHICH THERE'S NO LONGER A CREEK.

OKAY, THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE ABOVE CONCERNS BEFORE VOTING AND CONSIDERING THE NEGATIVE EFFECT THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE IN THIS AREA OF OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JERRY ANZALONE.

I LIVE AT 1051 DEERFIELD GLEN DRIVE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE.

WOULD YOU SPEAK INTO THE MIC, MA'AM? OH, SORRY.

OKAY. WATSON ROAD AND ROUTE ONE IS ALREADY A HIGH TRAFFIC HIGHWAY INTERSECTION WITH SEVERAL EXISTING COMMUNITIES.

AND WITH ONLY ONE ACCESS ROAD. A PROPOSED MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROJECT OF 200 PLUS UNITS WOULD IMPACT DRAINAGE.

AND I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAID, BECAUSE THE AREA SELECTED IS 53% WETLANDS.

OKAY. WHAT ABOUT THE WILDLIFE IN THESE WETLANDS? MANY OF THE SPECIES OF BIRDS AND TURTLES ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

SHOULDN'T THERE BE CONSIDERATION ALSO TO THE TAXODIUM? DISTICHUM, WHICH IS A BALD CYPRESS, IS A NATURAL BUFFER TO FLOODING THAT WILL BE GONE? MAYBE AN ADDITION OF 300 PLUS VEHICLES THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS PROJECT, TRYING TO GET OUT TO WORK IN THE MORNINGS OR TO GO TO GO ABOUT THEIR DAY.

ACCIDENTS WILL OCCUR. THERE'S THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

NOT TO MENTION THE HURRICANE SITUATION. VISUALIZE THAT DISASTER.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO TO GET OUT, LET'S NOT FORGET THE INDUSTRIAL PARKS, DUMP TRUCKS THAT ALSO USE WEST WATSON ROAD.

ADD THAT INTO THE MIX. AND I BELIEVE ALL WOULD AGREE THAT A 200 PLUS MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECT WOULD BE AN UNWISE DECISION BASED ON SAFETY ALONE.

THEREFORE, EVEN ADDING A PROPOSED TURNING LANE WILL NOT FIX A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

IT'D BE LIKE PUTTING A BAND-AID ON A SERIOUS SITUATION.

TAKE IN CONSIDERATION THE REASONS TO VOTE NO ON THIS PROJECT HAVE NOT ALTERED FROM THE LAST MEETINGS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. GOOD MORNING. MORNING.

I'M TRACY SPOONER. I LIVE AT 4995 MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT.

AND I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK THAT YOU VOTE NO TO ME.

THOSE DEVELOPERS PROPOSED 204 UNIT TENEMENT BUILDINGS AT THE CORNER OF WATSON AND US ONE.

I HAVE MANY CONCERNS REGARDING THIS PROJECT, INCLUDING THE IMPACT ON THE TRAFFIC IN THE AREA AS WELL AS THE DRAINAGE ISSUES.

HOWEVER, I WON'T FOCUS ON THOSE ITEMS AT THIS TIME.

WHAT I WILL FOCUS ON IS THE QUALITY OF LIFE, MY QUALITY OF LIFE AND HOW IT AFFECTS ME.

I PURCHASED MY HOME SEVEN YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF THE REALNESS OF THE AREA, AND THE STREET WAS A MORE MATURE STREET WITH A MINIMUM OF ONE ACRE LOTS, WHICH IS HARD TO FIND IN SAINT AUGUSTINE. THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE NEIGHBORS WERE ALL EITHER RETIRED OR HAD OLDER CHILDREN.

I NEEDED A QUIET AREA BECAUSE I WORK FROM HOME, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I GOT ON MOULTRIE RESERVE CORPS.

IF YOU APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS 204 MULTI-UNIT DWELLING, MY QUIETNESS AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT I EXPERIENCE RIGHT NOW WILL GO AWAY.

I WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH NOISE, TRAFFIC AND LIGHT POLLUTION EVERY DAY 24 OVER SEVEN.

ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN THAT I WANT TO ONE, ONE MAJOR ANOTHER CONCERN THAT I HAVE, OF COURSE, IS THAT IT DOESN'T FIT THE CHARACTER OF THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

AND AS STATED PREVIOUSLY, SECTION A, 1.3. 11 OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REQUIRES REZONING REQUEST.

CONSIDER THE COMPATIBILITY OF THE ADJACENT LAND.

THE ADJACENT LAND IS MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT, AND IT'S NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WITH OUR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHICH IS DIRECTLY AFFECTED. I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO DETAILS ABOUT THE, YOU KNOW, THE MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF TRAFFIC AND NOISE.

IT WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT AND NEGATIVE EFFECT ON MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT BECAUSE WHILE THEY SAID THE BUILDING IS 90FT FROM THE PROPERTY, BUFFERS, THE PARKING LOTS WITH OVER 400 CARS WILL NOT BE.

IT'S 20FT. AND SO THAT'S 20FT OF 1300 CARS STOPPING AND STARTING EVERY SINGLE DAY.

ALL TIME, ALL HOURS OF THE DAY. WITH DOORS OPENING.

CLOSING. SO THAT NOISE POLLUTION ALONE, NOT TO MENTION THE LIGHT FROM A THREE STORY BUILDING THAT WASHES OVER OUR HOUSES ON MOULTRIE RESERVE.

[02:10:01]

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KELVIN MERRICK. I LIVE AT 338 DEERFIELD GLEN DRIVE, IN THE DEERFIELD TRACE SUBDIVISION, RIGHT NEXT TO THE DEERFIELD MEADOW SUBDIVISION.

THERE IS NO DEERFIELD FOREST SUBDIVISION AS WAS STATED DURING THE PROPOSAL.

I'M HERE TO ASK THAT YOU VOTE NO TO THIS PROJECT BASED MOSTLY ON THE WATSON ROAD ACCESS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.

WE DON'T KNOW THE LEVEL OF TRAFFIC THAT'S GOING TO COME FROM THAT NEW COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ONTO WATSON ROAD.

SO THAT'S AN UNKNOWN THAT WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE OF YET.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE IMPROVED, WIDENED WATSON ROAD BEFORE THE CARS COMING OUT OF THE SUBDIVISION OR THE NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THERE, WHICH IS ALSO BEFORE WHERE ALL OF OUR CARS THAT ARE AT THE WEST END OF WATSON ROAD WOULD BE GOING TO TRY AND GET TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT US ONE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE DRIVEN DOWN WATSON ROAD OR WHEN YOU DID.

IF YOU HAVE DRIVEN DOWN WATSON ROAD, IT'S A VERY SLEEPY 25 MILE PER HOUR RESIDENTIAL ROAD.

AT THE FAR WEST END ARE A COUPLE SUBDIVISIONS WHERE WE LIVE, AND SO WE TRAVEL THAT EVERY DAY TO GET UP TO OUT TO US ONE TO EITHER TURN RIGHT AND GO SOUTH, OR TURN LEFT AND GO NORTH. MOST OF THE TIME NORTH.

TO GO UP TO THE CITY DURING THE MORNING, YOU HAVE TO SIT THROUGH 3 OR 4 TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT ONTO US, ONE THAT'S WITHOUT THE NEW COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC THAT'S GOING TO COME FROM THE NORTH SIDE, OR THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX COMING FROM THE SOUTH SIDE.

IF YOU WANT TO ELIMINATE THAT EXIT FROM THE APARTMENT COMPLEX, THAT WOULD CERTAINLY HELP US.

BUT AS IT IS PROPOSED TODAY, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU DECLINE AND NOT ALLOW THAT PROJECT TO GO FORWARD BASED ON HOW IT'S GOING TO IMPACT THE RESIDENTS. THE HUNDREDS OF US HAVE ALREADY LIVED THERE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

I'M SUSAN LEDERACH. I LIVE AT 207 SEVEN. DEERFIELD DRIVE.

SAINT AUGUSTINE. I AM AT THE WEST END OF WATSON, AT THE SAME END AT CALVIN AND JERRY BOTH LIVE.

I AM THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF OUR ASSOCIATION THERE WITH THE DEERFIELD ASSOCIATION, AND I DO UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THIS DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT IT WILL ADD ADDITIONAL HOUSING FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BUY HOMES.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR IT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK WE NEED TO BE SMART ABOUT WHERE WE PUT THIS NEW HOUSING.

THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER LANDS AROUND THAT ISN'T 83% WETLANDS.

WE ALL DEAL WITH ON THE WEST END OF WATSON WATER ISSUES.

EVERY HOME ALL THE WAY BACK TO DEERFIELD TRACE.

BECAUSE THE WAY THE WATER FLOWS THERE, THE WATER GOES OUT.

OUR DRAINAGE DITCHES DON'T DRAIN ANYMORE. CULVERTS ARE BLOCKED, AND THEY STILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THAT BACK AT OUR AT OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THAT DOESN'T AFFECT I DON'T BELIEVE THE WATER AT THAT CORNER GOES AS FAR BACK AS THAT.

BUT ANYWAY, WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO THE HOME IN DEERFIELD, TRACE WATSON ROAD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WIDENED.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EXTENDED ALL THE WAY UP TO WILDWOOD.

IT NEVER HAPPENED. SO WE CURRENTLY DEAL WITH ONE WAY OUT AND ONE WAY IN.

THERE'S ONLY WAY, ONE WAY TO GET THERE. WE ALSO HAVE THE RAILROAD TRACKS.

AND AT THAT CORNER OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS, THE TRAIN STOPS AND CAN SIT THERE FOR 20 MINUTES, EMPTYING POTATOES OUT. AND AS SOON AS THAT TRAIN GOES BY, THEN YOU HAVE A WHOLE INFLUX OF CARS THAT TRY TO EXIT OUT AND BACKS UP THERE. US ONE AND I CAN SIT THERE 3 TO 4 TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO TRY TO GET OUT ONTO US.

ONE AND I TELL YOU, I ONLY SEE 1 OR 2 CARS IN THAT LONG LINE OF CARS TURNING SOUTH.

THEY ALL TURNED NORTH. SO ABOUT, I WOULD SAY, ABOUT 90% OF THE TRAFFIC FROM WHAT I SEE IS THEY'RE TURNING NORTH.

WE HAVE ALSO NO IDEA HOW MUCH NEW TRAFFIC THE NEW SHOPPING CENTER IS GOING TO GIVE US.

IF YOU HAVE TRAFFIC COMING IN FROM THE ONE SIDE FOR THE NEW SHOPPING CENTER, AND THEN ANOTHER 200 OR 300 CARS COMING IN FROM THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF WATSON ROAD INTO THAT SAME PLACE. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE EVER GOING TO GET OUT OF THERE.

[02:15:05]

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE BACK THERE. I HAVE YOU KNOW, A SHERIFF'S OFFICE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO ME.

THAT PERSON THAT WORKS THERE, I MEAN, WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE THAT WORK BACK THERE, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND SCHOOL BUSSES THAT TRY TO GO IN AND OUT OF THERE.

IT'S ALREADY BUSY IN THOSE BACK ENDS OF THE AGAINST THE DISTRICT.

THANK YOU MA'AM. OOPS. SORRY. DIDN'T TALK THAT.

MUCH. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS KATHLEEN WALSH AND I LIVE AT 1515 MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT.

TO START OFF WITH, MY HOUSE IS AT THE END. THE VERY END OF THIS BLOCK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

MOULTRIE RESERVE ENDS IN A CUL DE SAC. MY HOUSE HAS OVER 200FT ON THE PROPERTY LINE BETWEEN THE BUILDING AND THE ROADS THAT ARE BEING BUILT AT THIS, FOR THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX.

MY BEDROOM IS ONLY 80FT AWAY FROM 40. AT LEAST 40 PARKING CARS THAT ARE COMING IN AND OUT.

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO GARAGES IN THIS FACILITY, OR VERY FEW AND THE VERY FEW SOME PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD.

SO WE HAVE AROUND THIS WHOLE COMPLEX IS GOING TO BE CARS PARKED AT NIGHTTIME.

DAYTIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. DOESN'T MATTER.

THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO BACK AND FORTH, WAKING UP AND DISTURBING, DISTURBING ME AND MY HUSBAND WHO HAVE SOUGHT SOLITUDE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL BLOCK THAT WE LIVE ON. THERE'S GOING TO BE, I GUESS, 204 FAMILIES ON THE SAME 12 TO 13 ACRES THAT 12 FAMILIES LIVE ON.

I THINK THAT'S A BIG DISPARITY IN HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE IN THIS AREA AND USING THAT SMALL AMOUNT OF AREA.

I REALLY FEEL THAT DENSITY IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TODAY.

WE ARE BEING UNDULATED BY PEOPLE COMING FROM OUT OF STATE, BUILDING HOUSES ALL AROUND US, AND THEY WANT MORE. I SAY IT'S TIME TO STOP. LEAVING OUR FLOCK, AS SOMEONE HAS MENTIONED, IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT. IT'S ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE BETWEEN MY BLOCK MILITARY RESERVE CORP AND WATSON ROAD AND MAKE A RIGHT AND GET ONTO ONE. IT'S NOT A VERY GOOD AMOUNT OF MAYBE 6 OR 7 CARS CAN FIT THERE.

YOU HAVE THE TRAFFIC OVER HERE COMING OUT OF THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT.

THAT OR THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE.

I GUESS IT'S GOING TO BE BUSINESS DISTRICT IN SOME KIND OF I GUESS I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO CALL IT.

THEY REALLY HAVEN'T TOLD US. HOWEVER, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE COMING OUT ALMOST OPPOSITE EACH OTHER, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO LEAVE. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO COME IN AND OUT TO OUR APARTMENT? HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO HAVE SOLITUDE? HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO HAVE TREES GROWING THAT HAVE BEEN CHOPPED DOWN? UNBELIEVABLE. WE NEED TREES FOR OXYGENATION. WE NEED.

WE NEED PLANTS. WE NEED SO MANY THINGS. AND IT'S NOT BEING ADDRESSED IN THIS PARTICULAR UNIT DEVELOPMENT, THIS POD THAT'S BEING DEVELOPED. I ASK YOU NOT TO TO CHANGE THE ZONING AND TO KEEP OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE FOR EVERYBODY THAT WANTS TO LIVE HERE. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU MA'AM. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS JOHN HART AND I'M FROM 114 MODESTO IN THE VILLAGES OF VALENCIA.

SO WE'RE ON EAST WATSON. SO IT PRESENTS A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT PROBLEM IN RELATIONSHIP TO WHAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED SO FAR.

ALTHOUGH I AGREE WITH, WITH WITH MOST THINGS THAT THE PRESENTERS HAVE SAID IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE ISSUES THAT WILL BE CAUSED BY THIS.

OKAY. BUT FROM FROM THE VILLAGES OF VALENCIA.

THE THE THE ENTRANCE ONTO ROUTE ONE EITHER NORTH OR SOUTH.

THAT PARTICULAR INTERSECTION THERE IS JUST A MESS.

OKAY. A AND I DIDN'T SEE I DIDN'T SEE THAT SIDE OF THE ROAD BEING ADDRESSED IN TERMS OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, IN TERMS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS, YOU KNOW, TO A LEFT HAND TURN OR A RIGHT HAND TURN OFF OFF OF WEST WATSON.

SO BUT WE WE HAVE SUGGESTED OR REQUESTED THAT THAT INTERSECTION ON WEST LOTS ON EAST WATSON BE ADDRESSED AT SOME POINT IN TIME IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE

[02:20:07]

THE RENDERINGS WERE THE DISCUSSIONS OF PONTE VEDRA AND BANDON LAKES AND BEACH WALK, WHICH ARE FAIRLY HIGH END. OKAY. IN TERMS OF OF DEVELOPMENTS.

I DIDN'T SEE A RENDERING OF WHAT THIS WOULD BE.

AND SO TRYING TO COMPARE THAT TO THE, TO THE OTHER.

DEVELOPMENTS THAT THEY, THAT THEY HAVE THEY'VE DONE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT MISLEADING IN MY BOOK.

OKAY. SO I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND OR TO SEE WHAT THIS WOULD LOOK LIKE, YOU KNOW, PRIOR TO DEVELOPMENT. YEAH, THAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US.

SO OUR REQUEST BY REQUEST FROM THE VILLAGE OF VALENCIA, IS THAT THE BOARD OF THE COMMISSION VOTE NO THIS TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SIR. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BOB ALLEN.

I LIVE AT 4945 MILITARY RESERVE COURT. LISTENED TO THE PROPOSAL FROM THE DEVELOPER AND THEIR TRAFFIC EXPERT.

FIRST, THE 108 VEHICLES THAT HE MENTIONED ARE.

THE TRAFFIC STUDY IS ABOUT FOR BETWEEN 4 AND 5 IN THE AFTERNOON.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T GO TO WORK BETWEEN 4 AND 5 IN THE AFTERNOON.

SO THE 350 CARS, WHATEVER IT'S GOING TO BE FROM THE APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT, WILL BE LEAVING IN THE MORNING, LIKE 95% OF LIKE THE REST OF US DO. SO THAT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT 300 CARS OVER A TWO HOUR PERIOD.

EXITING ONTO WATSON ROAD AS WE SPEAK FROM THE THEIR EXIT LANE ONTO WATSON ROAD.

YOU CAN ONLY FIT FIVE VEHICLES. THAT'S NOT COUNTING ANY TRUCKS COMING FROM THE INDUSTRIAL AREA, SCHOOL BUSSES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THAT'S JUST FIVE NORMAL VEHICLES.

IF YOU PUT AN EXTRA LANE IN, THAT'S TEN VEHICLES.

WE'RE ALREADY WAITING THROUGH THREE LIGHT CYCLES, SOMETIMES FOUR, TO GET OUT OF THERE.

SO WHEN YOU PUT IN THE ANY ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC FROM THE LITTLE STRIP CENTER, THAT'S GOING TO BE A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE.

THE TURNAROUND ON ROUTE ONE IS AT GRADE. PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED.

60 TWO DOESN'T SURPRISE ME AT ALL. SO MAKING A U-TURN IN THE FACE OF SOMEBODY GOING 60 PLUS MILES AN HOUR IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD DECLINE THE APPROVAL OF THIS PROJECT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS DIANE ALLEN. GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS.

CHAIRMAN. RESIDENTS. ATTENDEES. I LIVE AT 4945 MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT, AND ALL OF MY CONCERNS REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL HAVE BEEN VOICED BY MY NEIGHBORS. AND SO I WON'T BE REDUNDANT THERE.

I JUST WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD AS SAYING THAT I WASN'T AWARE UNTIL RECENTLY THAT THAT THERE WAS A, A HEARING WHERE IT WAS DECIDED TO ALLOW THIS CORPORATION TO.

WORK WITH THE PROPOSAL TO REHEAR TESTIMONY BASED ON THE UNFORTUNATE PASSING OF COMMISSIONER WALDRON.

THE COMMISSION'S EVENTUAL TWO TWO VOTE AFTER THE ZONING BOARD PASSED.

I'M SORRY, TURNED IT DOWN. IT WAS DEEMED BASED ON COUNTY RULES TO BE INTERPRETED.

THE TWO TWO VOTE AS A RULING AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.

AND AGAIN, I WASN'T AT THAT HEARING AND I WISH THAT I WERE I WOULD KNOW MORE THAN I KNOW NOW, BUT THE FACT THAT MIVA CORPORATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED THE BENEFIT OF ADDITIONAL TIME FOR ADDITIONAL RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION, AND NOT LIMITED TO THE ORIGINAL TESTIMONY, IS SIMPLY UNFAIR.

A REHEARING BECAUSE COMMISSIONER WALDRON WASN'T THERE, EVEN THOUGH THE RULES SAID THAT WAS OKAY.

[02:25:07]

IT'S JUST SIMPLY UNFAIR. UNFAIR. AND I'M AGAIN, I, I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TO FOLLOW YOUR LAST INSTINCTS AND TURN THIS DOWN FOR ALL THE GOOD, VALID REASONS YOU'RE YOU'RE HEARING TODAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. MA'AM. GOOD MORNING, TRACY ROSE.

4975 MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT. BEEN THERE SINCE 2000.

BACK IN 2006. SIX. MA'AM, COULD YOU SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE? OH, SORRY. OKAY. I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY STATING THAT I DIDN'T SEE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE ORIGINAL SITE PLAN THAT WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

IT WAS LUXURY APARTMENTS, YOU KNOW, THEN IT WAS AFFORDABLE.

NOW I GUESS WE'RE BACK TO LUXURY. I'M NOT SURE.

THE SITE PLAN STILL REMAINS LESS THAN THREE ACRES OF RETENTION PONDS.

THIS PLAN IS GOING TO DESTROY WHAT LITTLE OF THE CURRENT EIGHT ACRES THAT SERVES AS A SIGNIFICANT AND PRODUCTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION TO THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE SITE PLAN COMPLIES WITH, NOR MAKES THE PARCELS SUITABLE FOR DRAINAGE ACCORDING TO THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CODE. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE IMPACT ON DRAINAGE AND WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO TO OUR STREETS.

THE QUICK AND SWIFT STORM THAT WE HAD LAST NIGHT.

HAD WE HAD THIS ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY RESIDENCE, WE'D BE DEALING WITH FLOODING.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT FLOOD WATERS WOULD DO. DEALING WITH DRAINAGE.

I THINK IT WAS MENTIONED DEALING WITH THE DRAINAGE ISSUES AS THE DEVELOPMENT ARISES AND DEVELOPS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER. IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH PRIOR TO.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A PLAN IN PLACE FOR THAT. AN ELEVATION OF FIVE FEET.

WOW. THAT DOESN'T MAKE THE DOESN'T MAKE THE PARCEL SUITABLE FOR DRAINAGE.

I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT MY NEIGHBORS ARE STATING AS FAR AS THE DRAINAGE, BUT IT JUST I SEE NOTHING THAT REFLECTS A GRADUAL CHANGE FROM 13 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES NO GREATER THAN 25FT IN HEIGHT TO TWO OVER 200 UNITS, 500FT HIGH.

NOTHING GRADUAL ABOUT THAT. I DON'T SEE HOW THE SITE PLAN IS IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SURROUNDING LAND.

NOR IS IT CONSISTENT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS OF THE PROPERTY AS FAR AS THE SUB STANDARD, I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT WAS CALLED BEFORE A SUBSTANDARD INTERSECTION.

YEAH. IT'S GOING TO REALLY IMPACT I THEY TALKED ABOUT THE TURNING LANE.

VERY RARELY DO I GO SOUTH. I MEAN, I GO TO WORK TURNING SOUTH, BUT THAT FIRST INTERSECTION THAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, A U TURN, I DRIVE A PICKUP TRUCK AND I CAN'T I CAN BARELY GET THAT IN THAT TURNING LANE.

IT'S SUCH A SMALL AREA AND 65 MILES AN HOUR. I DON'T I DON'T WANT TO PULL INTO THERE.

THEY'RE PREDICTING 24 CARS AT PEAK HOURS. I THINK 200, 200 APARTMENTS IS GOING TO BRING AN ESTIMATED 3 TO 400 CARS COMING OUT OF THERE AT BUSIEST TIMES OF THE DAY. SO I AM OPPOSED. I HOPE THAT THIS COMMITTEE WILL SEE THE SAME OR FEEL THE SAME AS THEY DID BEFORE. THANK YOU. MA'AM. THANK YOU.

THANK. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. ALAN LOROW, 12 FLAGLER BOULEVARD, CEDAR, AT MATANZAS RIVER.

ON MARCH 21ST, 2022. THREE. NEARING THE END OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING.

THE LAST ITEM ON THE AGENDA WAS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT.

THE ATTORNEY, DAVID MIDGETT, BROUGHT UP ONLY ONE ITEM THAT THE APPLICANT OF MEVO DEVELOPMENT FILED A PETITION UNDER THE FLORIDA LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION ACT, CHALLENGING THE COUNTY'S PROCEDURAL DETERMINATION THAT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 18TH, 2022. ATTORNEY MIDGETT ADDED THAT THERE WAS NO IMMINENT DEADLINE OF THE PETITION FILED, AND THE COST TO THE COUNTY TO PURSUE THE PETITION POSITION WAS APPROXIMATELY $5,000. IT'S A 55 PAGE REPORT THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1995.

I READ IT AS BEST I COULD TO GET THROUGH IT, BUT BASICALLY IT'S LESS THAN 1% OF ALL FLORIDA'S LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE EVEN ADOPTED

[02:30:02]

YOU NEED ONLY ONE HEARING TO ACT. AND IF YOU GO FOR THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE'S RECOMMENDATION, WHICH I ASSUME WOULD BE MEDIATION THAT HAS NO LEGAL BEARING, IT'S NON BINDING AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY SUBSEQUENT LEGAL PROCEDURES.

SO ATTORNEY MIDGETT RECOMMENDED AT THE BOARD'S PLEASURE TO BRING UP RECONSIDERATION RE HEARING OF THE 20 2126 VOTE, WHICH WAS DENIED LEGALLY AS PER RULE 4.501, WHICH CLEARLY STATES A FAILURE TO ACHIEVE A MAJORITY VOTE CONSTITUTES A DENIAL OF A PROJECT AND NO FURTHER MOTION WAS BROUGHT UP BY THE BOARD.

SO I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE HERE FOR THIS.

IF YOU WANT TO GO TO MEDIATION AND HE WANTS TO PROCEED UNDER THE FLORIDA LAND USE ACT.

LET HIM. YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T I'D KIND OF LIKE TO KNOW THAT THERE HAD BEEN EIGHT BOARD MEETINGS HELD BETWEEN OCTOBER 18TH, 2022. THE DENIAL AND THE MARCH 21ST RECONSIDERATION.

AND THOSE BOARD MEETINGS AVERAGED SIX HOURS EACH.

SO THIS MICHAEL TYLER SHOWED UP WITH TEN MINUTES LEFT, AND THEN YOU ALL SAID PUBLIC COMMENT. HOW WOULD WE EVEN KNOW THAT? THIS WAS BROUGHT UP AT THE END OF A FOUR HOUR MEETING? NO ONE WAS HERE. THREE SPEAKERS SPOKE AND THEY WANTED THE ITEM TABLED, BUT IT WASN'T.

SO I JUST RECOMMEND THAT DUE TO THE HIGH DENSITY OF THE DEVELOPMENTS, 204 MULTIFAMILY UNITS PLANNED SO CLOSE TO RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, AND ITS INCOMPATIBILITY TO THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS OF WATSON ROAD, AS WELL AS THE POOR DRAINAGE AND UNSAFE ADDED TRAFFIC ACCESSING WATSON ROAD WEST AND US ONE FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT TO DENY THIS SPOT AGAIN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. CHUCK LEWANDOWSKI, 1748 NORTH CAPITOL.

YOU KNOW, WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT YOUR DECISIONS UP HERE AND HOW IT AFFECTS DIFFERENT AREAS WITHIN THE COUNTY.

AND WE'VE HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST WITH DECISIONS BEING MADE DOES AFFECTED OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE DRASTICALLY.

SO I THINK IT'S TIME WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING.

AS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I KNOW REALLY STEPPED UP YOUR GAME BIG TIME, AND I LOVE IT IN THIS SO FAR THIS YEAR.

AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO CONTINUE WITH.

AND MAYBE WE NEED TO STOP MAKING EXCEPTIONS TO THE ZONING.

AND YOU'VE SEEN THIS NUMEROUS TIMES. TO PREVENT THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPENING.

13 UNITS PER ACRE. AND LET'S KEEP IT AT 6 TO 8 UNITS PER ACRE, WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE FOR THAT AREA IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.

SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT COMPATIBILITY. THIS IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE THERE NOW.

NOT THE COMMERCIAL BUT THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COMPATIBILITY. IT'S DEFINITELY NOT COMPATIBILITY WITH THE AREA.

WHEN YOU'RE DESTROYING ALL THE WETLANDS ON THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY.

EVERY BIT OF THE WETLANDS IS BEING DESTROYED.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRAFFIC. IT'S DEFINITELY NOT COMPATIBLE. YOU'RE LOOKING AT OVER 1000 TRIPS PER DAY COMING OUT OF THIS INTERSECTION TO GO NORTH.

THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH GOING SOUTH. ALL THE MAJOR SHOPPING.

MAJORITY OF THE WORK IS NORTH SO THAT TRAFFIC, THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE WEST OF IT, EVERY ONE OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE HEADED NORTH.

MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO DENY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, SUZANNE CLULOW 109 LAUREL WOOD WAY.

UNIT 10232086. I'M GOING TO LEAVE THIS UP HERE WHILE I TALK.

I LIKE MR. LEBOWSKI'S LITTLE CHART, BUT THIS IS REAL WORLD HERE.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. PROPOSING 204 APARTMENT UNITS.

THOSE ARE HOUSEHOLDS ON 15.7 ACRES IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO 15 PARCELS.

15 HOMES ON 21 ACRES. AND PUT THE ACREAGE THERE.

THAT'S NOT WHERE THE HOMES ARE LOCATED, BY THE WAY.

THE HOMES ARE NEARER THE STREET BECAUSE THEY LEFT THE WOODED BETWEEN THEM AND DATIL PEPPER,

[02:35:04]

BY THE WAY, THAT'S ALL RURAL AREA. IF YOU DRIVE DOWN THROUGH THERE, I HAVE A FRIEND THAT STILL HAS A HORSE FARM DOWN THERE.

WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE SAY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS ADJACENT. YES. IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT. YES.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE BULK OF THE NOISE, THE BULK OF THE LIGHT, ALL THAT.

BUT THE CHARACTER OF THIS AREA ISN'T JUST THAT ONE STREET.

IF YOU GO DOWN, OLD PEPPER GOES WAY DOWN. THAT WHOLE AREA LOOKS LIKE THAT.

AND I OBJECT TO IT BEING BROUGHT OUT SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE SOMERSET VILLAGE, WHICH WAS AN ORIGINAL LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD OF APARTMENTS THAT WERE BUILT WAY BEFORE THE ADJACENT HOME BUILDER CAME IN. THE THAT THAT WAS THERE FIRST.

IT WAS AN ANOMALY IN THIS COUNTY BECAUSE THE COUNTY HAD THE LAND THERE.

THEY BUILT THAT THAT DEVELOPER CHOSE TO PUT HIS HOMES UP AGAINST THAT.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALREADY BEING THERE FOR YEARS AND THEN SOMEBODY COMING IN.

SO I WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT. AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET A LIST OF THE AMOUNT OF MULTIFAMILY THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED, BUT NOT YET BUILT IN THE COUNTY, AND I STILL HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

AND I TRIED TO PULL TOGETHER A LIST OF MY OWN, BUT IT'S NOT EASY TO COME BY THAT KIND OF INFORMATION.

YOU'VE GOT TO LITERALLY DIG AND DIG AND DIG. BUT WE'VE GOT 1000 UNITS UNBUILT OUT THERE.

I'VE ONLY GOT 12 SECONDS. ONE IS ALMOST ACROSS THE STREET OVER HERE.

THAT'S 510 APARTMENTS, 16 AND 95, 240 APARTMENTS.

AND THERE IS 312 AT THE EXCHANGE ON OLD MOULTRIE.

THANK YOU. MA'AM. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE? COME ON DOWN. THANK YOU. SAM. HOW'S THE TENURE GOING? I'M SORRY. GOOD. MY NAME IS JOSE ORTIZ. I AM A RESIDENT AT 226 SIX OSPREY, MARSH LANE, AND I AM IN OPPOSITION.

OKAY. PURPOSE AND REASON ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

WE KNOW THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING. OKAY. BUT THE REASON WHY WE'RE HERE IS BECAUSE OF NUMBERS.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. THE FIRST NUMBER IS AN UNFORTUNATE ONE BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS THE NUMBER ONE, THE DEATH OF ONE OF THE MEMBERS PRIOR TO THIS BEING PRESENTED.

DEATH OF ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS THAT LEFT THE BOARD WITH FOUR MEMBERS.

ANOTHER NUMBER. THE PROJECT WAS PRESENTED AND THE VOTING WAS 2 TO 2.

IT WAS DENIED. NUMBERS. OKAY. LET'S LOOK AT SOME NUMBERS.

THE AVERAGE DENSITY OF THE COMMUNITY. WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT IS PROPOSED IS THAT OF 2.025 UNITS PER ACRE. NUMBERS. OKAY. THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS 13 UNITS PER ACRE. YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD THERE.

OKAY. THERE'S A BUMP OF 11 UNITS PER ACRE. CLEARLY INCOMPATIBLE.

CLEARLY. OKAY. IF WE LOOK AT OUR COMPATIBILITY LIABILITY ISSUE.

WHEN A PROPOSED NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT CREATE.

EXTERNAL IMPACTS THAT ADVERSELY AFFECT SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL AREA.

I THINK THAT KIND OF SHORT OF THAT. OKAY. WITH THE INTENSITY AND DENSITY OF ANY PROPOSED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

[02:40:03]

OKAY. AND THIS TO ENSURE THE INTENSITY AND DENSITY.

THEY THEY'RE COMING SHORT ON THAT. OKAY. IT WILL NOT ADVERSELY IMPEDE THE FREE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON THE STREET AND THE PROJECT.

LET'S FACE IT. US ONE AND WATSON ROAD, THAT INTERSECTION.

THANK YOU, MR. ORTIZ. GEE, YOU GUYS MISSED A LOT OF GOOD STUFF.

MUST BE FASTER. BUT IT'S A THORN IN THE FLESH.

TIME'S UP. OKAY. IT'S INCOMPATIBLE. YES, SIR.

YES, SIR. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. I'M SORRY.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS PATRICIA SIMMONS. I LIVE AT 234 OSPREY MARSH LANE, AND I AM HERE.

I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS THAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT THE TRAFFIC.

MY CONCERN IS RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT VERSUS IRRESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS IRRESPONSIBLE IN THAT IT IS NOT REALLY ADDRESSING THE ADVERSE IMPACT THAT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE TRAFFIC. WE KNOW THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRAFFIC.

THIS AS AN EXAMPLE, YESTERDAY MORNING AT 715.

TRAFFIC WAS BACKED UP TRYING TO GET OUT OF WATSON ROAD ALL THE WAY BACK PAST MOULTRIE RESERVE COURT.

NOW, WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT HOW WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GET IN AND OUT OF THERE DURING CONSTRUCTION OF ALL OF THIS STUFF.

WE'VE GOT ALL THIS TRAFFIC COMING OUT OF THE YET UNDEVELOPED COMMERCIAL PROJECT ON THE CORNER, WHICH, FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE COMING IN AND OUT.

WE DON'T KNOW. WE HAVE NO IDEA. WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE GENERATED FROM THERE.

AND AS AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, NOBODY ELSE IN THIS ROOM CAN TELL US HOW MUCH TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE COMING IN AND OUT OF THERE, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S THERE YET. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE COMING IN OR WHERE THEY'RE COMING OUT.

WE KNOW THERE WILL BE GRIDLOCK BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY 144FT AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEX.

AND ANOTHER THING THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN TALKED ABOUT IS THE PEOPLE COMING ON US, ONE TURNING RIGHT, TRYING TO GET INTO WATSON ROAD, WHO ARE GOING TO RUN SMACK INTO THESE PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT OF THIS COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE ALSO DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARE SUPPOSED TO GET IN THERE, HOW EVACUATE EVACUATION IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. I CALLED AND TALKED TO THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, AND I ASKED THEM ABOUT THIS.

I SAID, WHEN WE HAVE GRIDLOCK, SUCH AS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AND PEOPLE TRAPPED BACK INSIDE OF A DEVELOPMENT INSIDE OF WATSON ROAD, WHAT CONTINGENCY PLANS DO YOU HAVE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION? FOR ONE THING, WATSON ROAD, IF THERE IS AN INCIDENT OR A PROBLEM ON THERE, IT'S BORDERED ON BOTH SIDES BY A WATER FILLED DITCH.

THERE IS NO SHOULDER. THERE'S NO PLACE FOR ANYBODY TO GO.

SO IF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARE TRYING TO GET IN AND OUT OF THIS GRIDLOCK OK.

NORMALLY, IF YOU SEE EMERGENCY VEHICLES COMING, THE PEOPLE SPREAD OUT AND GO TO THE SHOULDER.

THERE'S NO SHOULDER TO GO ON TO. AND WHEN I ASKED THEM WHAT THE CONTINGENCY PLANS WERE FOR GETTING US OUT OF THERE DURING EMERGENCY EVACUATION, THEY DID NOT HAVE ONE. THEY BASICALLY SAID WE WERE ON OUR OWN.

SO THIS IS MY PROBLEM. A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT.

THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE? GOOD MORNING. HI. GEORGE SPIEGEL, 101 GREEN WILLOW LANE.

YOU'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE. FOR BELLATERRA AND FOR.

THE SURROUNDING LAND USE PLAN OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SAYS THE COUNTY SHALL LOCATE LAND USES SO THEY ARE COMPATIBLE AND COMPLEMENTARY.

THE COUNTY SHARE SHALL ENSURE COMPATIBILITY WITH ADJACENT AND SURROUNDING LAND USE, AND YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THE SENSITIVITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS AND MAINTAINING THE CHARACTER OF THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.

SO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE DENSITY WOULD LOOK HERE.

OF THE COMMUNITIES AROUND THERE. SO IF WE TRAVEL DOWN TO ROUTE 206, DOWN ONE, AND HERE WE HAVE OSPREY LANDING WITH ABOUT TWO HOMES PER ACRE,

[02:45:09]

SUMMER POINT. ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE TRAVELING DOWN ROUTE ONE WITH THE 2.45 HOMES PER ACRE.

THIS DEVELOPMENT WANTS 13 DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE.

GRAND RAVINE ABOUT TWO. ABOUT THREE. KRISTEN KEY FARTHER DOWN ROUTE ONE WITH JUST TWO HOMES PER ACRE.

MOSES CREEK, ABOUT 1.6 HOMES PER ACRE. AND THEN DOWN AT 206 WOODLAKE WITH 1.6 HOMES PER ACRE.

NOW THERE HAS REALLY NO OTHER DEVELOPMENTS LIKE THIS ON ROUTE ONE UNTIL WE GET UP TO HERE AT WHAT IS IT, SAN SEBASTIAN OVER THERE. SO IF YOU GO ALL THE WAY TO 16, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND SOME DEVELOPMENTS LIKE THIS, BUT IT'S NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.

AND THE OTHER OTHER HOMES AROUND THERE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

COME ON DOWN, GUYS. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ART PELOSO. AND I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO BE TALKING IN FAVOR OF THIS PROJECT AS THE PROPERTY OWNER, WHICH NATURALLY I'M GOING TO BE IN FAVOR OF. AND I UNDERSTAND ALL THE RESIDENTIAL CONCERNS FROM THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE AREA.

EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME SIR, YOUR ADDRESS PLEASE.

I'M SORRY. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? ANYWAY, THEY ALL SEEM TO BE THE SAME CONCERN.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DRAINAGE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRAFFIC. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING. I WANT TO MAKE ONE THING UNDERSTOOD THAT YEARS AGO, WHEN I BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY. AND I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH SAINT AUGUSTINE. MY FATHER LIVED HERE FOR 30 YEARS.

AND WHEN I BOUGHT THIS, I HAD AN ENGINEERING COMPANY WHO BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY.

AND AT THAT TIME, MICHAEL ADAMS, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT SHOWS UP HERE, BUT AT THAT TIME, HE DETERMINED BETWEEN 5 AND 6 ACRES OF WETLANDS ON A 16 ACRE PROPERTY, AND THAT THE COUNTY RECORDS, IF YOU LOOK AT THEM, ALSO SHOW AROUND 66 ACRES AT THAT TIME.

NOW, WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEARS IS OTHER DEVELOPMENT HAS COME IN AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WAS BUILT ON THE HIGHWAY.

THE DOLLAR GENERAL, FOR EXAMPLE. THIS ACTUALLY ELEVATED THAT LAND AND BLOCKED THE NATURAL DRAINAGE.

SO SOME OF THE WETLANDS ARE MANY OF THE WETLANDS YOU'RE SEEING THERE RIGHT NOW ARE NOT THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE OF THAT PROPERTY.

THEY'VE BEEN CAUSED BY MAN MADE ISSUES. SO WHEN I LOOK TO SELL THE PROPERTY, I HAD DIFFERENT BUILDERS COME IN DIFFERENT COMMERCIAL. DEVELOPERS LIKE THESE GENTLEMEN.

SOME WANTED TO PUT COMMERCIALS, SOME WANTED TO PUT INDUSTRIAL, AND I WANTED TO DO THE LEAST IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS IN. I BELIEVE IT'S 19.9.

RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES WITHIN MIXED USE DISTRICTS SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH ADJACENT LAND USES, AND MAY TRANSITION FROM LOW DENSITY TO HIGH DENSITY.

SO WE HAVE COMMERCIAL ON THE EAST. WE HAVE MY PROPERTY SITTING IN THE MIDDLE, AND WE HAVE LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL.

THIS IS A NATURAL TRANSITION AND IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THE RULES IN THE COUNTY.

NOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS, YOU KNOW, A GOOD CONCEPT PLAN OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

BUT KEEP IN MIND THIS HAS TO GO THROUGH FINAL PLANNING.

ENGINEERING DOT WHICH WILL CORRECT ALL THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE AN ISSUE.

I KNOW THESE GENTLEMEN ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE WETLAND ISSUES AND ANY WATER ISSUES.

THANK YOU. BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR FORTE. THANK YOU SIR. SO ANYWAY, I AM IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT.

TIME'S UP. SORRY. ALL RIGHT. THERE. I STOOD, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE.

I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO REMOVE ANYBODY FROM THE MEETING. OKAY, COOL.

OKAY. YEAH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

[02:50:08]

GOOD MORNING. ONE. ONE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT.

SINCE WE'RE CONTINUALLY DEALING WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS HERE, I SUGGEST WE LOOK AT THE INFORMATION AND THE MODELS THAT ARE BEING USED IN OUR COUNTY, WHICH HAVE GOTTEN US INTO THE CURRENT DEGENERATING SITUATION.

THE PROCESS MUST BE FLAWED. THE COMP PLAN MUST BE FLAWED, OR MAYBE THE COMP PLAN'S FINE AND WE SHOULD STOP TAKING EXCEPTION TO IT. AT EVERY MEETING.

I MIGHT HAVE FOUND PART OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSPORTATION ANALYSIS SPREADSHEET IS USED BY THE DEVELOPERS TO, QUOTE UNQUOTE, QUOTE, PROVE THAT THERE'S NOT A TRAFFIC ISSUE.

SO I WAS REFERRED TO STAFF SO THAT I WOULD UNDERSTAND IT BETTER.

I WAS LOOKING AT A COLUMN CALLED A GROWTH FACTOR THAT SEEMED ARTIFICIALLY LOW.

SO I HAVE NOW TAKEN A LOOK AT EXACTLY HOW THAT SPREADSHEET IS CREATED AND WHAT THE FORMULAS ARE, AND THAT GROWTH FACTOR. LET ME QUOTE FROM STAFF IS INDEED BASED.

THE GROWTH FACTORS ON COUNTY ROADS ARE CALCULATED BASED ON HISTORIC TRAFFIC COUNTS.

THERE IS NOTHING IN THAT GROWTH FACTOR THAT LOOKS AT ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THIS BOARD, THAT ARE NOT YET DEVELOPED, NOT NOT YET BUILT.

IT'S NOT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION ALL THE STUFF THAT'S ALREADY BEEN PERMITTED THE THOUSANDS OF UNITS, THE THOUSANDS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CARS THAT WE ALREADY KNOW ARE GOING TO HIT THESE ROADS, THAT'S NOT IN THERE. I, I DEFINITELY KNOW THAT IS NOT IN THERE.

THIS SPREADSHEET IS A FAKE OUT. WE WE OUR COUNTY IS GIVING THE DEVELOPERS WRONG INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN PROVE TO US THAT THERE'S NOT A PROBLEM, SO THAT THEN THEY CAN KEEP BUILDING MORE AND MORE.

AND NOW THERE'S A DRIVE TO, TO TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPERS TO COME IN AND BUILD HIGH DENSITY HOUSING, WHICH WILL ONLY BE WORSE. WE'RE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY WRONG WITH THE CORE PROCESS HERE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS TONY MARRIOTT.

I LIVE AT 337 DEERFIELD GLEN. AND I'M RETIRED.

I CAME DOWN HERE FROM PENNSYLVANIA ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO.

AS I LOOK AT THIS, EVERYTHING IS GONE OVER AT LEAST TEN TIMES NOW.

AS FAR AS THE WATER, THE THE TRAFFIC AND EVERYTHING THAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU.

I IN MY FORMER JOB, I DID A LOT OF RISK ASSESSMENT, RISK MANAGEMENT TYPE OF THINGS.

AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT AS COMMISSIONERS, IF YOU LOOK AT THIS, THERE'S NOBODY OUT HERE THAT WANTS THIS, THAT LIVES IN THE AREA. AND IF YOU ACTUALLY WERE IN THAT AREA AND YOU LOOKED AT THE TRAFFIC, YOU LOOKED AT THE ISSUE WITH THE TRAIN BEING THERE, THE SAFETY, THE ROADS, EVERYTHING ELSE.

IF YOU JUST, YOU KNOW, IF YOU STEP BACK AND LOGICALLY LOOK AT THIS, IT'S IT'S GOT TO BE DIFFICULT TO SAY THIS IS GOING TO WORK OR IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS. NOW THEY'RE IN ANY WAY I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT IT.

AND ANYWAY, I SEE THERE'S NOBODY HERE TO SEE IT, SO I JUST READ THAT ONE OUT. TURN YOUR MIC BACK ON, SIR.

SORRY. I THINK WE LOST THEM FOR A SECOND. THERE WE GO.

SO ON AGAIN. OKAY, HERE WE GO. ANYWAY, I JUST YOU KNOW, IN IN THE WORK THAT I WAS IN THE PAST.

AND IF YOU JUST PUT DOWN THE PLUS AND THE MINUS COLUMN AND YOU GO THROUGH THIS, IT'S JUST LIKE,

[02:55:04]

SO HOPEFULLY YOU'LL YOU'LL EVALUATE AND LOOK AT THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SIR. ANY FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

THANK YOU, MADAM VICE CHAIR. I WANT TO MAKE A PROGRAMING NOTE. OBVIOUSLY WE'RE RUNNING A LITTLE BIT BEHIND SCHEDULE. WE ARE GOING TO FINISH THIS AGENDA ITEM, VOTE ON IT. THEN WE'RE GOING TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR 30 MINUTES.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO TO LUNCH, AFTER WHICH WE WILL HEAR THE REST OF THE AGENDA ITEMS. IF YOU'RE HERE FOR ANY OF THE OTHER AGENDA ITEMS, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR THOSE AFTER LUNCH. SO JUST SO YOU GUYS KNOW, THAT'S ONE TWO, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY.

ABOUT 90 PLUS PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWING THE BOARD'S RULES OF DECORUM.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. THERE'S ALWAYS A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO JUST BELIEVE THE RULES DON'T APPLY TO THEM. BUT I KNOW THAT MOST OF YOU OUT THERE ARE FOLLOWING THE RULES. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT. OBVIOUSLY, THEY APPLY TO EVERYBODY, BUT SOME FOLKS THINK THEY'RE EXEMPT FOR WHATEVER REASON. MR. MIDGET WE HEARD A COUPLE OF FOLKS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.

BRING UP THE FACT THAT BASED ON YOUR ADVICE WE DECIDED TO HEAR THIS FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO WHEN THEY'D BE ALLOWED TO BRING IT FORWARD AGAIN.

CAN YOU PLEASE GO OVER THAT DECISION ONE MORE TIME TO TO ADVISE THE BOARD TO BRING THIS BACK SOONER THAN OTHERWISE WOULD BE ALLOWED? SURE. GENERALLY, UNDER OUR CODE, WHEN A LAND USE APPLICATION IS DENIED A QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING, THERE IS A ONE YEAR PERIOD BEFORE IT CAN BE BROUGHT BACK.

AS WAS NOTED EARLIER, AFTER THE 2 TO 2 TECHNICAL DENIAL LATE LAST YEAR A CHALLENGE WAS FILED UNDER THE FLORIDA LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION ACT. WE CAME TO A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT, A WAY TO SETTLE THAT CASE.

I ALWAYS TRY TO SETTLE THE LITIGATION AGAINST THE COUNTY WHEN IT'S FEASIBLE TO DO SO WITHOUT COST TO THE TAXPAYERS.

AND THE RECOMMENDATION WE MADE TO YOU ALL FOR FOR YOUR DETERMINATION BACK IN MARCH WAS TO WE RECOMMENDED THAT YOU VOTE TO REHEAR THIS ITEM.

AND IN CONSIDERATION FOR THAT, THEY AGREED TO DROP THE CHALLENGE.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGE. YOU ALL DID VOTE.

I BELIEVE IT WAS A41 VOTE AT THAT MEETING TO REHEAR THIS ITEM.

AND THAT IS WHY IT'S BEFORE YOU. NOW, LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THE INITIAL VOTE LAST OCTOBER BY THE BOARD.

OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THE REFRESHER. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT ONCE AGAIN FOR REBUTTAL.

LET'S GO TO. GOOD MORNING. BOARD MEMBERS MICHAEL TYLER WITH COBB COLE, 149 SOUTH RIDGEWOOD AVENUE IN DAYTONA BEACH.

MIKE IS FINE. I DIDN'T PICK THE LAST NAME. BUT I APPRECIATE YOU ALL TRYING YOUR BEST WITH IT.

I'D JUST LIKE TO START OUT BY THANKING THE PUBLIC FOR FOR THEIR COMMENT.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND, AND A CRITICAL PART OF ANY REZONING PROCESS THAT THE PUBLIC HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS. AND WE'D LIKE TO BRING UP A COUPLE OF OUR EXPERTS JUST TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF THOSE ITEMS. I MIGHT COMMENT ON A LITTLE BIT ON THAT AS WELL.

AND THEN JUST PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF CASE LAW THAT YOU WON'T HAVE TO READ. I'LL JUST GIVE IT TO YOUR ATTORNEYS.

AS PART OF THE RECORD AS WELL. SO I'D LIKE TO START BY JUST ASKING OUR ECOLOGICAL CONSULTANT, JODY SISK, TO COME UP AND JUST TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE POINTS ABOUT WETLANDS THAT WERE RAISED EARLIER.

WE'RE GOOD HERE. JODY SISK 201 BASQUE ROAD, SAINT AUGUSTINE ATLANTIC ECOLOGICAL SERVICES.

I'M AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT, HAVE BEEN HERE IN FLORIDA COVERING THE ENTIRE STATE, INCLUDING SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY, FOR THE PAST 23 YEARS. WE WERE CONTRACTED BY METRO DEVELOPMENT TO DELINEATE THE WETLANDS ON SITE, DO AN DO AN ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY, DETERMINE PERMIT FEASIBILITY SURVEY FOR PROTECTED SPECIES AND DETERMINE IF ANY PROTECTED SPECIES WOULD HINDER DEVELOPMENT ALSO.

WE FLAGGED THIS SITE, DELINEATED THE WETLANDS ON THE SITE IN 2021.

IT'S APPROXIMATELY 8.36 ACRES OF WETLANDS. DEEPEST PART OF THE WETLANDS ARE ACTUALLY THE CYPRESS STUFF THAT'S UP CLOSE TO US, ONE THAT EVERYBODY SEES. AS YOU MOVE THROUGH THE SITE, IT BECOMES MORE OF A FLATWOODS TYPE SYSTEM WITH LOWER WATER GROUNDWATER TABLE TYPE STUFF, WHICH PROBABLY GOES WITH WHAT THE OWNER IS SAYING.

A LOT OF THE EXTERIOR PORTIONS OF THIS WETLAND ARE, ARE LOOK TO BE BECOMING WET, MORE WET.

THEY'RE MORE PINE, PINE TYPE STUFF. INSTEAD OF THE CYPRESS.

THAT DEEPEST STUFF IS UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT EVERYBODY SEES RIGHT UP ALONG THE ROAD. KIND OF PUDDLES.

I GUESS THE WATER JUST KIND OF PUDDLES UP IN THAT AREA BEFORE IT THEN GETS PUSHED OFF TOWARDS THE NORTH.

[03:00:07]

YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF HOMELESS ACTIVITY ON THE SITE ALSO THAT'S DEGRADED THE QUALITY OF THE WETLAND.

WETLAND IS KIND OF THE HEADWATERS OF WHAT'S BEING PUSHED OFF TO THE NORTH AND EVENTUALLY TO MOULTRIE CREEK.

I WAS NOT THE CONSULTANT ON THE THE PROJECT TO THE NORTH.

I WOULD EXPECT THAT THAT PROJECT, THE WETLAND WAS, WAS REQUIRED TO BE PRESERVED BECAUSE IT'S PROBABLY THE CONNECTION POINT, YOU KNOW, OF THAT WATER FROM THE SOUTH HEADING NORTH.

SO IF THEY WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THAT ONE TO BE CUT OFF, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE OF A HEADACHE TO GET THAT WATER THROUGH AND OUT.

PERMITTING WISE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS THAT EVERY DEVELOPMENT GOES THROUGH. YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT WILL HAVE TO DETERMINE FEDERAL JURISDICTION.

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO THAT RIGHT NOW BASED ON THE LAST SUPREME COURT DECISION WITH THE SECOND DECISION LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

SO THAT PART IS A QUESTION MARK AT THIS POINT.

BUT EVERY PROJECT IS A QUESTION POINT QUESTION MARK AT THIS POINT IN THAT REGARDS.

DRAINAGE. I'M NOT THE DRAINAGE ENGINEER, BUT I WILL SAY, JUST LIKE EACH PROJECT IN FLORIDA, IT IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE FLORIDA IS FLAT. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

WE'RE WE'RE VERY SHALLOW. YOU KNOW, OUR WATER TABLE IS REALLY HIGH.

YOU KNOW, IT'LL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ENGINEER TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY DRAINAGE THAT'S GOING INTO THAT SITE TODAY IS BEING CAPTURED AND RELEASED THE WAY THAT IT IS TODAY.

AND THAT'S PART OF THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PERMIT. ANY WETLAND IMPACTS WILL HAVE TO BE MITIGATED FOR ON THIS SITE.

WE WOULD JUST PROPOSE WETLAND MITIGATION BANK CREDITS TO ADD TO THE REGIONAL DIVERSITY.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU WERE TO TRY TO CRAM A PROJECT IN ESPECIALLY IF THEY WENT, ESPECIALLY IF THEY WENT COMMERCIAL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND YOU TRIED TO CRAM A PROJECT IN AROUND THESE WETLANDS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO IMPACT THE WETLANDS BECAUSE OF THE GEOMETRY, NO MATTER WHAT.

AND ANYTHING THAT'S LEFT THERE IS HONESTLY JUST GOING TO DEGRADE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO CAPTURE WATER THE WAY THAT IT USED TO, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING FLOWING INTO IT DIRECTLY, LIKE THE WETLANDS OFF TO THE NORTH. SO IT WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO DEGRADE.

IT REALLY WOULDN'T PROVIDE, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT YOU WOULD WANT OUT OF THE WETLAND SYSTEM.

SO FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, FROM, FROM MY OPINION YOU KNOW, MITIGATION BANK CREDITS WOULD APPROPRIATELY MITIGATE OR PROVIDE COMPENSATION FOR THE WETLAND IMPACTS OF THIS PROJECT.

PROTECTED SPECIES. WE DID 100% GOPHER TORTOISE SURVEY OUT THERE.

THE ELEVATIONS ACROSS THE ENTIRE SITE ARE REALLY LOW.

WATER TABLES HIGH. NO TOURISTS HAVE FOUND THIS SITE.

BUT PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION, IT HAS TO BE DONE AGAIN.

THAT'S RULE. YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL TYPE OF STUFF THAT GETS HANDLED LATER ON.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER SPECIES OF CONCERN THAT THE SITE HAS.

YOU DO HAVE GENERAL WILDLIFE. JUST LIKE WITH ANY PROJECT, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S PART OF GROWTH IN FLORIDA.

YOU KNOW, I WILL SAY WITH THESE, YOU DO HAVE LARGE RAINIER PROPERTIES OFF TO THE WEST.

SO THE HOPES THAT ANY DEER OR STUFF LIKE THAT OR WILDLIFE THAT'S NOT PROTECTED, IT'S GOING TO MAKE YOUR WAY DURING CONSTRUCTION OFF TO THE WEST AND GET INTO THAT RAINIER PROPERTY. AND AND THAT'S, THAT'S ABOUT IT. IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO ASK. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION. NO, I JUST HAVE A COMMENT BECAUSE I HAVE FIVE CYPRESS TREES IN MY BACKYARD AND THEY'VE THEY SOAK UP THE RAIN.

THEY ARE YOUR NATURAL WATERSHED. AND YOU ACT LIKE, OH, WE'RE JUST GOING TO CUT THEM ALL DOWN.

AND I'M JUST TIRED OF HEARING THAT. I'M TIRED OF HEARING ALL THESE ANIMALS ARE GOING SOUTH.

I WANTED TO HEAR YOU SAY SOMETHING THAT MADE SENSE, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN.

JUST. THOSE CYPRESS TREES HAVE BEEN THERE. HOW MANY YEARS? THOSE CYPRESS TREES. I MEAN, WE'D HAVE TO AGE THEM.

I MEAN, THEY'RE OLD. YES, MA'AM. JUST LIKE ANY SITE THAT GETS DEVELOPED, YOU KNOW I WISH I COULD GIVE YOU A WONDERFUL ANSWER.

THANK YOU. BUT OUTSIDE OF PUTTING GATES AT THE DOOR, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT ANSWER IS.

I GREW UP IN FLORIDA. I DIDN'T COME HERE FROM PENNSYLVANIA OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

AND I'M A BIOLOGIST. I DO NOT LIKE SEEING OUR LAND DEVELOPED.

BUT IT IS. AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO STOP THAT.

SAINT JOHNS COUNTY IS DEVELOPING. THERE'S NO THERE'S NO WAY OF STOPPING. SO IT'S ALL FLORIDA.

WE WORK IN PLACES IN FLORIDA THAT WHEN I GREW UP, YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WOULD BE AN UNDERDEVELOPMENT.

EVER. BECAUSE IT'S ALL AN ACT. BUT IT IS, AND IT IS NOW.

[03:05:01]

SO AS FAR AS THE CYPRESS TREES AND THE DRAINAGE, THE SITE HAS TO MEET SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT CRITERIA FOR ITS DRAINAGE.

I'M NOT A DRAINAGE ENGINEER, SO ANYTHING THAT THEY REMOVE HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT WATER HAS TO ENTER AND EXIT THE WAY THAT IT DOES RIGHT NOW.

OKAY. SO IT WILL HAVE TO MEET ALL THOSE CODES AND ALL THOSE RULES.

RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU. JODY.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE I WALK? THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GREAT DAY. I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. SCHILLING TO COME BACK UP AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE TRAFFIC POINTS THAT WERE RAISED IN PUBLIC COMMENT AS WELL. AND COMMISSIONERS, I'LL BE QUICK. I'LL HIT THESE IN BULLET POINTS JUST IN RESPONSE TO A COUPLE OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE.

I DID WANT TO ASSURE THE COMMISSION THAT THE COUNTY'S TRAFFIC ANALYSIS TABLE HAS A COLUMN THAT'S CALLED APPROVED CONCURRENCY TRAFFIC.

AND SO THOSE PROJECTS THAT WERE APPROVED AHEAD OF US WERE VERY MUCH CONSIDERED IN OUR TRAFFIC ANALYSIS.

SO THOSE TRIPS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMERCIAL CENTER HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT THAT WAS CLEAR, AND ALSO TO SHARE THAT THE COUNTY HAS A TERRIFIC TECHNICAL STAFF WHEN IT COMES TO TRAFFIC AND CONCURRENCY, AND REVIEWED THE WORK THAT WE DID.

SO SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR. SECONDLY, I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS ALSO CLEAR, BECAUSE I THINK ONE OF THE GENTLEMEN FROM VILLAGES OF VALENCIA MENTIONED THE THE EAST SIDE OF THE OF THE INTERSECTION, AND THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO MAKE ARE GOING TO.

ALLOW US TO MAKE SIGNAL TIMING IMPROVEMENTS THAT ALSO WILL IMPROVE THE EAST SIDE.

SO ADDING THE LEFT TURN PHASE. CURRENTLY THE EAST SIDE HAS A LEFT TURN ARROW, BUT IT'S NOT IN USE.

WHEN WE DID THE ANALYSIS, IT WASN'T IN USE BECAUSE WE NEED THE LEFT TURN PHASE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE FOR IT TO WORK.

SO, SO WITH THE IMPROVEMENT THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO MAKE, THE SIGNAL TIMING IMPROVEMENTS WE'RE PROPOSING TO MAKE ARE GOING TO HELP BOTH SIDES OF WATSON ROAD, NOT JUST THE WEST SIDE. AND THEN ALSO DID CERTAINLY WANT TO SHARE SEVERAL OF THE RESIDENTS TALKED ABOUT QUEUING ON WATSON ROAD WITH THE ADDITIONAL TWO APPROACH LANES, THE ADDITION OF THE THE THE LEFT TURN PHASE WITH THE LEFT TURNS BEING ABLE TO TURN ON A PROTECTED ARROW GREEN ARROW VERSUS JUST A GREEN BALL, AND COMPETING WITH THROUGH TIME FROM THE OPPOSING APPROACH, OUR MODELING SHOWS THAT IT THAT IT IS GOING TO SIGNIFICANTLY, SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE QUEUING ON WATSON ROAD.

SO AGAIN, I BELIEVE THE IMPROVEMENT THAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS GOING TO SOLVE THOSE ISSUES THAT MANY OF THE RESIDENTS RAISED ABOUT TRAFFIC ON WATSON ROAD.

AND THEN FINALLY, I DID WANT TO MENTION, BECAUSE THERE WAS THERE WAS A GOOD BIT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE TRAFFIC THAT'S UNKNOWN ABOUT THE COMMERCIAL CENTER.

ONE IS WE DID CONSIDER IT IN OUR ANALYSIS. AND THE OTHER THING THAT I'LL SHARE IS WE SEE FROM A TRAFFIC STANDPOINT THAT OFTENTIMES AND MOST TIMES RETAIL AND RESIDENTIAL PEAK AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

SO THE ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT THAT THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX, THE OUTBOUND TRAFFIC ON WATSON ROAD, IS GOING TO PEAK IN THE MORNING IN THE AM PEAK HOUR 730 TO 830 ISH, WHEREAS THE PEAKING OF THE RETAIL IS TYPICALLY MORE SEEN IN THE AFTERNOON PEAK HOURS. SO. SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO GOING TO SEE THE BOTH OF THE USES, THE RETAIL TO THE NORTH AND AND THE MULTIFAMILY TO THE SOUTH.

PEAKING AT THE SAME TIME. SO SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT AS WELL FOR CLARIFICATION.

THANK YOU. JUST A COUPLE MORE POINTS ON REBUTTAL.

DRAINAGE WAS BROUGHT UP AS AS A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN.

I JUST WANT TO RECALL THAT THE TESTIMONY FROM MR. MECCA, THESE PONDS ARE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED FOR WHAT'S CALLED A 100 YEAR, 24 HOUR STORM EVENT.

IT'S THE TYPE OF STORM THAT OCCURS ONCE EVERY 100 YEARS FOR 24 HOURS.

AND SO THE MODELING WILL SHOW THAT IT CAN ACCOMMODATE THE WATER COMING IN, ATTENUATE IT, TREAT IT, AND ALLOW IT TO FLOW ON ON ITS WAY. ALONG WITH 35 OTHER FDOT STORM INTENSITIES AND EVENTS THAT HAVE TO BE ANALYZED.

COMPATIBILITY WAS ALSO BROUGHT UP AS A AS A BIG CONCERN.

AGAIN, AS A KEY POINT HERE. NO CHANGE IN DENSITY IS PROPOSED FROM WHAT THE FUTURE LAND USE CURRENTLY ALLOWS.

THE CURRENT FUTURE LAND USE FOR THIS PROPERTY IS MIXED USE, SO WE'RE NOT REQUESTING A CHANGE IN DENSITY.

WE'RE NOT REQUESTING A CHANGE IN UNIT COUNT. WE ARE COMPLYING WITH THOSE CODES AND RESTRICTIONS.

SO WHAT YOUR CODE DIRECTS YOU TO DO THEN FOR THE COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS IS TO LOOK AT YOUR STANDARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT, YOUR BUFFERS, YOUR SETBACKS, YOUR IMPERVIOUS SURFACE, YOUR RECREATIONAL AREAS YOUR YOUR LANDSCAPE AREAS.

[03:10:02]

BECAUSE THE TYPE OF BUFFER THAT'S REQUIRED WHEN INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL ABOUT EACH OTHER IS DIFFERENT FROM THE TYPE OF BUFFER, WHEN IT'S RESIDENTIAL TO RESIDENTIAL OR MULTI-FAMILY TO RESIDENTIAL.

AND SO, AS OUR PLANNING EXPERT TESTIFIED, NO VARIANCES FROM ANY OF THOSE COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS ARE PRESENTED HERE.

WE HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR CODE REQUIREMENTS TO A TEE.

WE ARE NOT REQUESTING ANY CHANGES FOR ANY OF THOSE NUMEROUS CRITERIA THAT I ENUMERATED, AND A BUNCH OF ONES THAT I'M PROBABLY MISSING AND CAN'T RECALL OFF OF.

OFF OF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. BUT WE ANALYZED ALL OF THAT CRITERIA AND DRAFTING THIS PLAN DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOUR CODE REQUIRES.

YOUR CODE REQUIRES PLAN DEVELOPMENTS TO FOLLOW THAT SPECIFIC PROCESS.

SO WHY AM I EMPHASIZING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE CODE CRITERIA, THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS? BECAUSE TODAY IS A QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING. YOU ALL ARE THE JUDGE AND THE JURY.

NOT THE EXECUTIONER, BUT JUDGE AND JURY. YOU EVALUATE THE THE FACTS OF THE CASE AND APPLY IT TO THE APPLICABLE LAW THAT IS HERE FOR REZONINGS. AND THE STAFF REPORT DOES INDICATE THAT IT'S THE APPLICANT'S BURDEN TO PROVE THAT WE MEET ALL OF THOSE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA IN YOUR CODE.

AND THAT'S WHY WE HAD THE PARADE OF, OF EXPERTS WITH EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING IN THIS SPECIFIC COUNTY ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND NO VARIANCES.

WE HAVE ENHANCED BUFFERS, REDUCED NUMBER OF VEHICLE TRIPS FROM WHAT THE MIXED USE LAND USE ALLOWS REDUCED TRAFFIC FLOW BECAUSE OF THE LIMITING OF ENTRANCES AND EXITS, IMPROVED INTERSECTIONS, AND NO INCREASES IN DENSITY.

ARE ALL THAT TESTIMONY, ALL THE REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED THAT HELP SUPPORT THIS REQUEST FOR REZONING.

I MENTIONED PUBLIC COMMENT EARLIER. PUBLIC COMMENT AGAIN IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, BUT THE CASE LAW SAYS THAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR FOR EXPERT TESTIMONY.

I HAVE A COUPLE CASES I'LL GIVE TO YOUR STAFF, BUT I JUST WANT TO READ FROM A COUPLE OF THEM REAL QUICK.

JUST 2 OR 3 SENTENCES. CITY OF ORANGE. CITY OF APOPKA VERSUS ORANGE COUNTY.

IT IS A FIFTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL CASE THAT TALKS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS THAT SPEAK.

THE OBJECTIONS OF A LARGE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS OF THE AFFECTED NEIGHBORHOOD ARE NOT A SOUND BASIS FOR DENIAL OF A PERMIT.

THE QUASI JUDICIAL FUNCTION OF A BOARD MUST BE EXERCISED ON THE BASIS OF THE FACTS PRODUCED.

NUMEROUS OBJECTIONS BY ADJOINING LANDOWNERS MAY NOT BE NOT BE PROPERLY GIVEN EVEN A CUMULATIVE EFFECT.

HERE'S ANOTHER CASE CATHERINES BAY VERSUS FAGAN LAY WITNESSES SPECULATION ABOUT POTENTIAL TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, LIGHT AND NOISE POLLUTION, AND GENERAL UNFAVORABLE IMPACTS OF A PROPOSED LAND USE ARE NOT CONSIDERED COMPETENT.

SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. SIMILARLY, LAY WITNESSES OPINIONS ABOUT DEVALUING HOMES IN THE AREA ARE INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT A FINDING THAT SUCH DEVALUATION WILL OCCUR.

THERE MUST BE EVIDENCE OTHER THAN THE LAY WITNESSES OPINIONS TO SUPPORT SUCH CLAIMS. AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT TO DEVALUE THE ROLE OF PUBLIC COMMENT.

PUBLIC COMMENT IS CRITICAL. PUBLIC COMMENT RAISES ISSUES, BUT OUR TEAM HAS MET WITH A NUMBER OF THESE FOLKS, ANALYZED THE ISSUES, STUDIED THEM, AND HAVE MADE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROJECT.

TAKING THAT ALL INTO ACCOUNT TO SHOW THAT THE CODE REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET.

TO CONCLUDE, THIS ISN'T THE LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT THAT COMES BEFORE YOU ALL THE TIME.

THIS ISN'T A 10,000 UNIT PROJECT. THIS ISN'T A 300 UNIT PROJECT OR 250 UNIT PROJECT.

IT'S 204 UNITS. IT'S A REALLY SMALL SCALE PROJECT IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS AT THIS SIZE AND SCALE.

IT'S DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE EXISTING POPULATION OF SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY BY PROVIDING AN ATTAINABLE HOUSING OPTION FOR WHERE RESIDENTS WORK OR LIVE OR WORK AND PLAY AND WANT TO LIVE. WITH THAT, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG MORNING AND WE ARE HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. COMMISSIONER ALAIMO.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK ALL THE FOLKS WHO CAME OUT TODAY TO SPEAK AND VOICE THEIR CONCERNS.

ALL THE FOLKS THAT THAT WROTE EMAILS. YOU KNOW, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK, AND I WANT TO THANK THE APPLICANT AS WELL FOR ALL THEIR RESEARCH AND THE PRESENTATION THAT THEY PUT TOGETHER, AND I DO.

I MET WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER, AND I KNOW HE REALLY DOES CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, BUT I THINK THIS IS A IS A NICE PROJECT IN THE WRONG AREA.

I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TRAFFIC AND THE DRAINAGE WHICH HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP.

IT'S JUST HIGH DENSITY IN A VERY CLOSE TO SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE I SEE THE INCOMPATIBILITY AND THE TRAFFIC.

I MEAN, IT KIND OF SPEAKS FOR ITSELF OVER THERE.

SO I JUST CAN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. COMMISSIONER DEANE, DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? OKAY. COMMISSIONER LIMA, I'D LIKE TO OFFER A MOTION TO DENY PUD 2021 HYPHEN 26

[03:15:06]

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LIMO.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD? SEEING NONE, PLEASE REGISTER THE VOTE. SO THE MOTION TO DENY PASSES FIVE ZERO.

THANK YOU. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT. I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE GO INTO PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE'LL HAVE A 30 MINUTE PERIOD OF PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA, THOSE THAT ARE LEAVING.

I WOULD ASK THAT YOU DO SO ORDERLY, QUIETLY, PLEASE, SO THAT WE CAN HEAR THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT'S COMING BEFORE US NOW.

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT. LET'S BEGIN PUBLIC COMMENT NOW.

IT WILL END AT 1250. THEN WE WILL GO TO OUR LUNCH BREAK.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.

GOOD AFTERNOON. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE EXIT.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR VOICES DOWN SO THAT WE CAN HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.

YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OUT IN THE LOBBY. JUST OUT OF RESPECT TO THE FOLKS WHO ARE COMING UP HERE TO SPEAK, WE WANT TO HEAR THEM. WE DO WANT TO HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY.

GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS RHONDA BRENNAN, AND I'M AT ANASTASIA BOULEVARD.

32080. THE REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RESOLUTION BAN ALL MANDATORY COVID 19 VACCINATIONS AND TESTING, WHEREAS IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REC BOARD TO APPROVE ALL PUBLIC STATEMENTS REPRESENTING THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

WHEREAS ON 1213, 2022, A STATEWIDE FLORIDA GRAND JURY WAS FILED BY GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS TO INVESTIGATE COVID VACCINE FLORIDA CRIMES. WHEREAS THE NIH COVID 19TH JANUARY 10TH, 2017 BIOWEAPON PATENT VACCINE NANOTECHNOLOGY IS DEFINED UNDER SECTION NINE AS. IN SOME EMBODIMENTS, THE SMALL MOLECULE IS A TOXIN OF BIOWARFARE.

WHEREAS FLORIDA STATE SURGEON GENERAL DOCTOR LA DAPO REPORTS THERE WAS A 1,700% INCREASE VARIOUS REPORTS AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE COVID 19 VACCINE. WHEREAS SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, PHARMACIES HAVE ACCESSIBLE BIOWEAPON INJECTIONS SECTIONS FOR CHILDREN AGES FOUR MONTHS AND UP INCLUDED PFIZER BIONTECH COVID 19 VACCINE.

BIVALENT ORIGINAL OMICRON BA, BA 0.5. MODERNA COVID 19 VACCINE.

BIVALENT FOR USE IN INDIVIDUALS SIX YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.

AND FDA LICENSED VACCINE SPIKEVAX COVID 19 VACCINE MRNA.

WHEREAS THERE ARE SEVEN SEPARATE BIO WEAPON SPIKE PROTEIN PATENTS WITH LICENSES IT USED IN THE INJECTIONS.

ALL SPIKE PROTEINS CONTAIN DIFFERENT TOXINS WHICH ARE SEPARATE FROM THE MR MRNA SPIKE PROTEIN, WHEREAS NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE DATA SHOWS A GROUP LIFE INSURANCE FOR THE 40% EXCESS MORTALITY RATE FOR 25 TO 64 AGE GROUP FOR 2021 GENERAL POPULATION AT 31.7%. EXCESS MORTALITY.

THE VARIABLE IS THE VACCINE MANDATE OF 2021, WHEREAS 17,000 PHYSICIANS AND SCIENTISTS OF THE GLOBAL SUMMIT TEAM DECLARE AND DATA CONFIRMS COVID 19. EXPERIMENTAL GENETIC THERAPY INJECTIONS MUST IMMEDIATELY CEASE, WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES SENATE VOTED MARCH 30TH, 2023 BY RESOLUTION TO END THE COVID 19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY TREATMENTS AND VACCINATIONS RESOLVE.

THE REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SUPPORTS THE IMMEDIATE CEASE OF ALL COVID 19 BIOWEAPON INJECTIONS IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RESOLVE.

THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CALLS FOR THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE TO PROMOTE A HOUSE BILL TO BAN THE COVID 19 VACCINE BIOWEAPON BY ADDING A NEW SECTION TO FLORIDA STATUTE TITLE 46, CHAPTER 897, AND TO READ AS FOLLOWS FLORIDA STATUTE 897 AND MENTORS ADMINISTERING AN MRNA OR TOXIC VACCINE FOR ANY PURPOSES. PURPOSE A PERSON MAY NOT ADMINISTER A VACCINE.

DEVELOPED MESSENGER RESOLUTION PASSED ON JUNE.

THANK YOU. I GOT TO IT BEFORE I DID. I WOULD LOVE TO.

ACTUALLY, I WANT TO, YOU KNOW. GOOD AFTERNOON SIR.

HOW ARE YOU? I'M WELL. I'M NOT UPSET ABOUT ANYTHING.

GLAD TO HEAR IT. MY NAME IS JIM O'BRIEN. I CURRENTLY RESIDE AT 2632 SENECA DRIVE IN CIMARRON OFF OF 210.

I WORK AS A VOLUNTEER THREE DAYS A WEEK AT THE EPICURE WAREHOUSE, AND I'VE COME HERE TODAY TO ASK THIS COMMISSION FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF FUTURE INITIATIVES THAT SERVE TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COUNTY.

GRANT ME THESE MINUTES TO TELL YOU WHAT I'VE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED, NOT TO INSULT YOUR INTELLIGENCE.

[03:20:05]

I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE COME FOR FOOD. THEY TELL ME THEIR STORY OF BAD LUCK OR BROKEN FAMILIES, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, OR THEIR PAYCHECK IS NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE PRICE OF LIFE IN SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY.

THEY MANY TIMES SPEAK ABOUT ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY THAT RESULTS IN THE NEED FOR CONTINUING MEDICAL ATTENTION.

THEY TALK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN'T AFFORD BOTH, SO YOU HAVE TO DO WITHOUT THE MEDS.

THERE IT IS, THAT CHOICE BETWEEN MEDICINE AND FOOD.

SO HOW DO WE HELP OUR NEIGHBORS? WELL, FIRST, AS A MEMBER OF A FOOD DISTRIBUTION TEAM, WE SELECT, PACK AND TRANSPORT FOOD, FOR EXAMPLE, TO LINCOLNVILLE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE.

WE SUPPLY 50 TO 60 FAMILIES WITH MEAT, EGGS, MILK, FRESH VEGETABLES, FRUIT, AS WELL AS CANNED GOODS, DRY GOODS, BREADS, DESSERTS WHEN THE THINGS ARE IN STOCK.

THIS PARTICULAR DISTRIBUTION OCCURS TWICE MONTHLY, AND THE PROCESS IS REPLICATED BY OTHER DISTRIBUTION TEAMS. 50 TO 60 TIMES A MONTH AT OTHER LOCATIONS IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

SECONDLY, LATE. WE HOLD MAJOR DISTRIBUTION EVENTS AT THE WAREHOUSE JUST OFF STATE ROAD 16.

HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES SHOP AT THE WAREHOUSE WEEKLY AND MAKE THEIR OWN FOOD SELECTIONS.

THIS TYPE OF EVENT IS UNIQUELY REWARDING BECAUSE THE CLIENTS MAKE THEIR CHOICES IN A DIGNIFIED SETTING, RECEIVING A HELPING HAND WHEN THERE IS MORE MONTH THAN MONEY.

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, ARE THE HOME DELIVERIES.

THIS PROJECT, IN CONCERT WITH FLAGLER HOSPITAL'S CARE CONNECTION PROGRAM, SERVES TO DELIVER GROCERIES TO HOMEBOUND OUTPATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD OR ARE UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR CANCER OR OTHER MAJOR ISSUES.

THE MAJORITY OF CLIENTS ARE WELL UP IN AGE. THEY LIVE IN SOME OF THE POOREST PARTS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY ARE WOMEN OVER 65, MANY OF WHOM LIVE ALONE.

IT'S A VERY BAD SITUATION THAT NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION.

IN CLOSING, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL VERY BUSY, AS I'VE SEEN THIS MORNING.

RODE HARD AND PUT UP WET. BUT I INVITE YOU TO VISIT THE FRONT LINES OF FIGHTING POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY ON OUR DISTRIBUTION DAYS AND EVALUATE THE SITUATION. COME RIDE ALONG ON A THURSDAY AND SEE THE GOOD BEING DONE IN HASTINGS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT I WENT OUT THERE, AND I'M GOING TO BRING MY DAUGHTER TO VOLUNTEER ON TUESDAYS, AND IT'S AN AWESOME, AWESOME JOB YOU GUYS DO.

IT'S AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

I WOULDN'T HAVE YOUR JOB FOR A MILLION BUCKS.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. WELCOME. HI, COMMISSIONERS.

RANDY FITCH, 496 OCEAN JASPER DRIVE. I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ROXBURY FARMS HOA.

WE'VE TALKED BEFORE. I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU.

WE MET WITH YOU, I BELIEVE, JUNE 2ND. HAD A VERY NICE DIALOG.

YOU HEARD FROM SOME OF OUR CITIZENS. I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE ROCK SPRINGS FARM MAINTENANCE ISSUE.

AS AN HOA, I JUST WANTED TO REPORT TO YOU THAT WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH YOUR COUNTY.

WE JUST HAD A MEETING ON FRIDAY. THEY PROVIDED US SOME WONDERFUL INFORMATION.

MR. ALAMO WAS THERE, AND WE CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

AS AN HOA, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD. WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CITIZENRY IS WELL INFORMED, THAT WE HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE AND ARE VOTED CORRECTLY, AND DO ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO ON OUR SIDE OF THE EQUATION TO KEEP THE BALL MOVING FORWARD. MY ASK FOR YOU TODAY IS SIMPLY TO KEEP THE BALL MOVING FORWARD.

HELP US IN THIS EFFORT WITH THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, AND ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP SPEED THE PROCESS ALONG WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE OTHER ASK, OF COURSE, IS THE HELP IF POSSIBLE IN YOU PROVIDING SOME TYPE OF COMMON GROUND, SOME UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN YOURSELVES AND HOW TO MITIGATE THE LIABILITY ISSUE THAT WE HAVE FROM NOT HAVING ANY INSURANCE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT CLOSING THE PARK. I KNOW THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DO, BUT IF WE COULD DO SOME TYPE OF PARTICIPATION IN YOUR INSURANCE OR COVERAGE OR SOMETHING OF THIS NATURE WHERE OUR LIABILITY INTERESTS ARE COVERED, WHILE WE'RE CONTINUALLY WORKING THROUGH TRYING TO RELEASE OURSELVES FROM THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT.

SO AGAIN, JUST A HUMBLE THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED FOR US.

AND IF ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU, WE'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO IT.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. HAVE A GOOD DAY. YOU TOO.

GOOD AFTERNOON. HI. HELLO. 1133 RIVER OAKS PLANTATION.

[03:25:03]

OKAY. AND WE'RE HERE TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT.

THAT FIRST COAST ENERGY THROUGH ENGLAND TIMSON MILLER IS APPLYING FOR AT SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

OKAY. AND THIS IS THE LOCATION OF THE FORMER FRUIT COVE NURSERY AT 600 STATE ROAD 13 AND FRUIT COVE.

AND THIS GIVES YOU A BRIEF PICTURE OF THE AREA.

THESE ARE THE TWO PARCELS TO THAT THAT FIRST COAST ENERGY IS PLANNING TO PUT THEIR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

THIS IS A SINGLE ROAD GOING INTO A COMMUNITY OF 44 HOMES THAT HAS BEEN THERE QUITE A LONG TIME.

THIS IS FRUIT COVE ESTATES. THERE'S ALSO OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND, INCLUDING JULINGTON CREEK PLANTATION.

AND THIS ALL IS A PRETTY MUCH A COMMERCIAL AREA.

SO AND WHAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT IS WELL, THIS IS AN AREA I'LL GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND TO.

THIS IS ALSO AN AREA WHERE FIRST COAST ENERGY, ORIGINALLY BACK IN 2019, WAS LOOKING TO PUT A GAS STATION, WHICH ULTIMATELY GOT DENIED. IT WAS DENIED BECAUSE OF A VERY SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE WITHIN THAT FRUIT COVE ESTATES. NOW WE'RE BACK.

AND OF COURSE, AT THE TIME WE DID RECOGNIZE THAT A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT COULD GO THERE.

BUT WE ARGUED AGAINST THE GAS STATION BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

AND SO WE RECOGNIZE FIRST COAST ENERGY DOES HAVE THE RIGHT BUT TO BUILD A DEVELOPMENT.

BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO INFRINGE ON THE QUIET ENJOYMENT AND HOME VALUES OF 44 SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERS LIVING IN FRUIT GROVE ESTATES.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT EITHER TO DESTROY MANY VERY OLD GROWTH TREES WHICH ARE ON THAT PROPERTY.

AND AS YOU KNOW, IT WAS A FORMER NURSERY. THEREFORE, A LOT OF GROWTH HAS OCCURRED IN THAT AREA.

THE PLANS THAT THEY'VE PROVIDED SHOW NO LESS THAN 59 OLD GROWTH TREES.

ONE OF THEM IS BEING 204 YEARS OLD, THREE ARE ABOUT 150 YEARS OLD, AND 27 ARE MORE THAN 100 YEARS OLD.

I'LL GIVE YOU JUST A BRIEF SKETCH OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THESE ARE ALL THE TREES THAT ARE BEING PLANNED TO BE REMOVED, OF WHICH I'M SORRY.

THERE'S A TOTAL OF 51 LIVE OAK TREES IN THIS AREA TO BE REMOVED.

AND OF COURSE, AS I SAID, SOME OF THEM ARE VERY OLD.

THIS IS A PLAN OF THE COMPLETE DEVELOPMENT WITH ALL OF THE TREES THAT HAVE TO BE REMOVED ACCORDING TO FIRST COAST ENERGY.

SO AND SO. OTTO'S PLACE IS THE ONLY ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY AND THAT.

SERIOUSLY. AND THEN THE DEVELOPMENT IS ASKING FOR THREE.

GOT YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M PHYLLIS AMATILLO.

I LIVE AT 1133 RIVER BRIDGE ROAD, AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE FRUIT COVE NURSERY ALSO.

WE ARE WELL AWARE THAT THE DUMP, THE DEVELOPER HAS THE RIGHT TO DEVELOP THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ON HIS SITE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DESTROY OLD GROWTH LINE OAK TREES THAT ARE THERE AND HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 100 TO 204 YEARS. THEY WERE THERE LONG BEFORE ANY OF US WERE EVEN THOUGHT OF.

THERE ARE THREE PAVED DRIVES THAT ARE ALREADY EXISTING OUT ON STATE ROAD 13 THAT THEY COULD USE, BUT THIS DEVELOPER WANTS TO USE OLAPLEX AND HE ACTUALLY WANTS TO DESTROY IT.

HE'S INFRINGING ON THE HOMEOWNER'S RIGHT TO USE THE ONLY ROAD THAT GOES INTO THEIR SUBDIVISION AND INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

ACTUALLY, OPENING THREE ENTRIES ONTO OTTO'S ROAD PUTS INFRINGES ON THE PEOPLE, AND IT ALLOWS DELIVERY TRUCKS, REFUSE TRUCKS. AND THE. IT'S THE ONLY ROAD THAT GOES INTO THE SUBDIVISION.

THIS ROAD IS NOT MEANT TO ACCOMMODATE THE DEVELOPER'S DESIRE FOR MORE PROFIT.

THIS AREA HOMES WAS APPROVED, AND IT'S A NON-CONFORMING AREA.

IT PROBABLY WOULD NEVER BE BUILT TODAY. THE WAY IT STANDS AND IT'S HISTORIC AND IT SHOULD STAY HISTORIC, AND IT SHOULDN'T BE DESTROYED BY A DEVELOPER WHO IS TRYING TO PUT MORE CASH IN HIS POCKET.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. GOOD AFTERNOON.

[03:30:03]

WE'RE RUNNING LATE. SO I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE PRIOR TWO SPEAKERS.

AND GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MICHAEL DUNLOP, AND I LIVE IN THE AFOREMENTIONED FRUIT COVE ESTATES AT 1455 TAMARIND PLACE.

AS ALREADY STATED, IT IS THE ONLY ACCESS INTO OUR SUBDIVISION VIA A NARROW LANE CALLED OTTO'S PLACE, WHICH WAS DESIGNED AS A SMALL ENTRY. IN KEEPING WITH THE CHARM AND CHARACTER OF FRUIT COVE OVER MANY YEARS.

OTTO'S PLACE HAS OOPS, SORRY HAS MATURED INTO AN INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL ENTRANCE AND A SIGNIFICANT REASON WHY MANY RESIDENTS PURCHASED THEIR HOMES. IT WAS THIS CHARMING CHARACTER. STREETS LIKE OTTO'S PLACE AND THE SITES LIKE THE OLD NURSERY THAT THE STATE CONSIDERED WHEN DESIGNATING STATE ROAD 13 INTO THE INTO THE WILLIAM BARTRAM SCENIC HIGHWAY.

YOU HAVE SEEN THE PLAN TO DEVELOP THE OLD NURSERY, WITH 56,000FT² OF BUILDINGS AND 205 PARKING PLACES BY A PRIOR SPEAKER TODAY.

MY RULE OF THUMB SAYS THAT'S ABOUT 5000 CARS EXPECTED TRAFFIC.

THESE PLANS WILL DESTROY OTTO'S PLACE AND CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD WITH MASSIVE TRAFFIC VOLUME INCREASE.

DESIGNED ON A ROAD THAT CAN ONLY WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO 44 HOUSES.

YOUR OWN TECHNICAL STAFF PRELIMINARY REVIEW SAID THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC WILL LIKELY REQUIRE ALL OF THE CHARACTER LANDSCAPING SCAPING THAT YOU CAN SEE BEING CUT DOWN, AND OTTO'S PLACE WIDENED AND CHANGED INTO A STANDARD PLAIN LOOKING STREET.

THIS IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VISION OF THE WILLIAM BARTRAM SCENIC HIGHWAY.

DURING THE GAS STATION DEBATE FOUR YEARS AGO, A COMMISSIONER QUESTIONED WHY THE APPLICANT WAS INSISTING ON CREATING A DRIVEWAY ONTO OTTO'S PLACE, THE ONLY ACCESS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE ROUTE AND IT IS A CHILDREN THAT PASSED DOWN IT EVERY DAY TO THEIR BUS STOP.

A COMMISSIONER REPORTED IN THE SAINT AUGUSTINE RECORD WAS QUOTED AS SAYING, I CAN UNDERSTAND THE OFFICE BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY ONE ACCESS POINT TO THE CONSTITUENTS CONCERNS. THE TRAFFIC GENERATED ON NOTICE PLACED BY THAT DRIVEWAY IS SUBSTANTIAL.

IT IS DISTURBING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS FEEDBACK HAS NOT BEEN HEEDED, AND THERE IS STILL A PROPOSAL TO ACT AS ACCESS OTTO'S PLACE.

AND WE FIND OURSELVES BACK HERE IN FRONT OF THE COMMISSIONERS AGAIN, DEBATING WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED AND REJECTED.

AS I SAID BEFORE. THOSE OF US WHO FRUIT COVE DO NOT OPPOSE DEVELOPMENT, BUT WE WOULD LIKE THAT DEVELOPMENT TO RESPECT AND REPRESENT THE CHARACTER AND VALUE OF FRUIT COVE. THESE PLANS DO NOT DO THAT. IF THESE PLANS STAND AS SUBMITTED, RESIDENTS OF FRUIT COURT WILL LOSE THE SPECIAL CHARM THEY HAVE ENJOYED FOR 40 YEARS.

SAFETY WILL BE COMPROMISED. AND YOU, THE COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE TRYING TO BUILD A BRAND IN THIS COUNTY THAT REPRESENT NATIONAL BEAUTY AND UNIQUE CHARACTER, WILL LOSE. PLEASE GIVE US A CHANCE TO MEET WITH YOUR STAFF TO HELP EXPLORE OUR CONCERNS.

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS. THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. CHUCK LABANOWSKI, 1748 NORTH GUERRERO.

YOU'RE HERE. MEETING AFTER MEETING. HOW? DEVELOPMENT IS AFFECTING EVERYTHING AROUND IT.

IT'S AFFECTING YOU HERE. IT'S AFFECTING YOUR OFFICE.

EVERY TIME WE HAVE AN AREA TORN OUT TO PUT A DEVELOPMENT IN RIGHT DOWN THE STREET.

16. YOU HAVE A DEVELOPMENT GOING IN AND IT'S FORCED HOMELESS OUT.

YOU GO OVER ON OVER ON 207, A DEVELOPMENT PUT IN THERE.

IT'S FORCED OUT A COMMUNITY OF HOMELESS. WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE HOMELESS? DO YOU KNOW ACTUALLY WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE HOMELESS? THEY'RE NOW TAKING UP RESIDENCY ON COUNTY PROPERTY RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET ON COUNTY PROPERTY. WE'VE GOT TO STOP IT. WE'VE GOT TO FIND SOMEHOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE HOMELESS SITUATION.

IT'S GOTTEN OUT OF HAND. I MEAN, THE STATE HAS ACTUALLY CHASED THEM OUT BY PUTTING UP NO TRESPASSING.

AND NOW THE HOMELESS CAN BE TICKETED IF THEY'RE ON STATE PROPERTY PANHANDLING.

SO WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE SITUATION. IT'S BECOME A SERIOUS SITUATION.

AND IT'S THE WEATHER UP NORTH GETS COLD. THE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE MOVING DOWN HERE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WARM WEATHER.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY CAN'T SUPPORT THEMSELVES.

SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE HOMELESS.

AND WE DEFINITELY NEED TO LOOK AT SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TAKING UP RESIDENCY ON COUNTY PROPERTY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. ANYONE ELSE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE. PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY.

[03:35:04]

MS. ONE QUICK THING. YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. YEAH. HOT DAMN.

IS IT ON? ALL RIGHT. YOU'RE FINE IF YOU WANT TO STAND UP.

YEAH. NO, THAT'S ALL RIGHT. PULL MY NOGGIN DOWN.

YOU GOT TOO MUCH STANDING HERE IN A MINUTE ANYWAY, DON'T YOU? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE DOWN TO YOUR LAST NAME.

OKAY, GREAT. I HAD ONE PASTOR AND ASK HIM. DOES IT MAKE ANY SENSE TO YOU? THIS IS OUR CURRENT OUTPUT OF THE TRICASTER. THE LEADER.

RANDOLPH. OKAY. AND, YOU KNOW, JUST SO YOU KNOW.

EXACTLY. HERE WE ARE GOING TO LET THAT GO. SO WHY DO WE NOT HAVE TO DO THIS? ALL RIGHT. IT IS 115 VERIZON TIME. SO WE'RE GOING TO RECONVENE THE MEETING.

START ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR, WHICH IS QUASI JUDICIAL.

[4. Public Hearing * MAJMOD 2023-01 Deerpark Commerce Center.]

MR. ARNOLD? NONE, MR. CHAIRMAN. I HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY MEETING, COMMISSIONER DEANE.

COMMISSIONER. ALAIMO. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

YES? I HAD A MEETING ON TUESDAY, JUNE 13TH AT 11 A.M.

WITH ELLEN AVERY SMITH AND STAFF TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT.

OKAY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ALAIMO, MISS AVERY SMITH.

GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. COMMISSIONERS FOR THE RECORD, ELLEN AVERY SMITH, ROGERS TOWERS, 100 WHETSTONE PLACE.

AND BEFORE WE GET STARTED TOO FAR ALONG, I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO CHUCK GRIFFIN FROM KAHI.

WHO WANTS TO COME AND TALK TO YOU SINCE HE'S FLOWN ALL THIS WAY? THANK YOU. ELLEN. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.

I APPRECIATE THE TIME TODAY AND ALSO APPRECIATE YOUR YOUR WORK WITH OUR INCENTIVES RECENTLY.

VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT. MY NAME IS CHUCK GRIFFIN.

TWO 4141 LILY DRIVE IN MANHATTAN, ILLINOIS. I JUST WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT KAHI AND HOW APPRECIATIVE WE ARE TO BE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY. WE HAVE LOOKED ALL OVER. WE WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS A WHILE BACK.

CAME THROUGH DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. ET CETERA.

AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR US HAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, IN PARTICULAR ELKTON.

MOVING A DISTRIBUTION CENTER IS VERY DIFFICULT.

AND WE AND WE HAPPEN TO BE ON THE SAME STREET IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE.

SO OUR EMPLOYEES, WE ARE A EMPLOYEE OWNED COMPANY, AND OUR EMPLOYEES ARE JUST THRILLED WITH THE CONSIDERATION TO BE ON THE SAME IN THE SAME PARK, ON THE SAME STREET. NOBODY HAS TO DRIVE AN EXTRA HOUR OR TWO HOUR OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, RIGHT? BUT VERY, VERY APPRECIATIVE OF OF YOUR YOUR CONSIDERATION HERE.

AND WE WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING AT SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY FOR A LONG TIME.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. JUST TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO I DO HAVE WITH ME JIM MCGILL FROM STOUGHTON INDUSTRIAL, WHO IS THE PROJECT DEVELOPER, AND THEN ALSO JENNY IRWIN, WHO IS THE PROJECT CIVIL ENGINEER. IF WE NEED TO GET INTO MORE DETAIL THAN I WILL GO OVER JUST REGARDING THE LAND USE AND THE MAJOR MODIFICATION THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR TODAY.

JUST AS A REFRESHER, I KNOW YOU ALL KNOW THIS, BUT THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF I OF I-95 NORTH OF STATE ROAD 207.

IT IS VACANT RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU CAN SEE IT'S LOCATED ALONG DEER PARK BOULEVARD.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE SAINT AUGUSTINE MARKETPLACE ON THE WEST SIDE, OR, I'M SORRY, ON THE EAST SIDE OF I-95 WHERE YOU'RE GETTING BAPTIST HEALTH, BROOKS, SOME CAR DEALERSHIPS, AND BEST BET. THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF THIS PROPERTY IS MIXED USE DISTRICT.

THE ZONING CURRENTLY IS PUD. SO TODAY WE'RE JUST SEEKING TO MODIFY THAT PUD FOR THREE REASONS.

ONE IS TO ADD ABOUT 43,000FT² IN ONE BUILDING NOW INSTEAD OF TWO BUILDINGS, BECAUSE HE NEEDS ABOUT 400 AND OR 545,000FT² FOR THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER. WE'RE ALSO INCREASING THE BUILDING HEIGHT BY FOUR FEET, JUST BECAUSE THE BUILDING IS THAT LARGE, AND IT NEEDS A SLOPED ROOF FOR DRAINAGE PURPOSES.

AND THEN ALSO TO UPDATE THE PHASING TABLE AND THE PUD JUST BASED ON SOME LEGISLATIVE EXTENSIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AS A MATTER OF LAW.

SO SHOWING YOU AGAIN, HERE'S THE SITE ACCESS FROM DEER PARK BOULEVARD.

IT IS ONE LARGE BUILDING NOW, NOT TWO TWO BUILDINGS AS IN THE EXISTING APPROVED PUD.

AND AGAIN, JUST ADDING THAT 43,000 OR SO SQUARE FEET TO HAVE ONE BIG BUILDING.

[03:40:02]

AS YOUR BOARD WELL KNOWS, YOU APPROVE THE INCENTIVE PACKAGE AT YOUR LAST MEETING.

THERE IS A PRESERVATION OF ABOUT TEN, A LITTLE LESS THAN TEN ACRES OF WETLANDS ON THE SITE, WHICH IS PRETTY GOOD FOR HAVING A BUILDING THIS SIZE.

AND THEN ALSO THE INSTALLATION OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT DEER PARK BOULEVARD AND STATE ROAD 207, WHICH WE APPRECIATE THE BOARD'S INCENTIVE, BUT ALSO WILL PAY FOR PART OF THAT SIGNAL AND IT WILL BE BUILT BEFORE THIS BUILDING IS OCCUPIED PURSUANT TO THE PUD TEXT. SO STAFF HAS NOT OBJECTED TO THIS. THE PA OR THE PCA UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, AND SO WE WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOUR BOARD ALSO APPROVE THIS PUD MAJOR MODIFICATION.

AND LIKE I SAID, WE'VE GOT A WHOLE TEAM OF PEOPLE HERE WHO CAN ANSWER WHATEVER TECHNICAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS SMITH. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. WHAT'S THE HEIGHT AND HOW DO YOU MEASURE THE HEIGHT? GOOD QUESTION. BECAUSE THE HEIGHT IS 53FT. AND AT PCA, WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BUILDING HEIGHT AND HOW TO DEFINE IT.

AND SO IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT HE GOT ITS BUILDING WITHIN ITS FOOTPRINT, WE DEFINED IT BASICALLY THE THE IT WILL START AT THE FINISHED FLOOR SLAB AND GO UP 53FT. SO THAT'S TOTAL 55FT. IT WILL BE 53FT.

YES. OKAY. FROM THE SLAB THOUGH. FROM THE SLAB.

CORRECT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME? FROM THE BOARD? OKAY. MADAM VICE CHAIR, LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LISA MCGLYNN.

I'M THE VICE CHAIR OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY CIVIC ROUNDTABLE.

I RESIDE AT 703 PINEHURST PLACE. I WANTED TO COME TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS APPLICATION, BECAUSE THE ROUNDTABLE BELIEVES THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR KEY WAREHOUSE, AND THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON.

YOU WOULDN'T BE HAPPY UNLESS I CAME UP HERE AND SAID SOMETHING. 1748 NORTH CAPITOL.

I WANT TO THANK KEHE FOR HOLDING IN TO SAINT JOHNS COUNTY IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

THE JOBS THAT IT'S GOING TO GENERATE ARE GREAT, SO I HAVE TO SUPPORT THIS EVEN THOUGH IT'S DOING SOME DAMAGE TO THE WETLANDS.

IT'S A GOOD LOCATION FOR IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE. PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD. OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE MISSING A COMMISSIONER.

I'D LIKE TO COMMISSIONER LIMO. I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENTS.

I'M JUST PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION. BUT I GUESS WE'LL WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER DEANE.

I HAVE A COMMENT WHILE WE'RE WAITING. COMMISSIONER DEAN, PRIOR TO YOU MAKING THE MOTION, I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS, I.

I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD NOW THE PRESENTATION FROM THE APPLICANT, WE'VE HEARD SOME QUESTIONS AND WE KNOW THE HISTORY OF THIS, OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE ZONING LAST YEAR, I VALUE, HEHE, AS A BUSINESS PARTNER IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND IN ANY PAST ACTION THAT THE BOARD TAKE WAS NEVER A REFLECTION, IN MY VIEW, ON KEAHEY AS A BUSINESS, OR THE WAY THAT I SEE THEM AND THEIR VALUE THAT THEY HAVE HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

SO I'M GRATEFUL THAT THEY DECIDED TO WORK WITH US AND COME BACK AND PICK ANOTHER LOCATION, BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE ENJOY HAVING BUSINESSES IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, WE WANT TO SEE THEM GROW INSIDE OF OUR COUNTY.

SO JUST THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS AT STOUGHTON AND AT KEAHEY FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN.

AND THANK YOU TO YOUR BOARD FOR YOUR PATIENCE, BECAUSE WE REALLY DID.

AFTER THE ELKTON 305 SITE, WE LOOKED ALL OVER SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FOR SITES AND IT IS AMAZING.

THIS IS PROBABLY FOR YOU GOT YOU AT FIVE AS WELL AS OTHERS IN THE COUNTY.

WE NEED LANDING PADS FOR BUSINESSES, PARTICULARLY LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USES, BECAUSE IT WAS A STRUGGLE.

SO IT IS WE HAVE A GOOD BUSINESS PARTNER IN KATIE TO STAY HERE AND WORK WITH US.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS SITE.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. IF IF YOU'RE READY. I THINK WE'RE READY.

SURE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, AND I ECHO YOUR COMMENTS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING KATY HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FOR A LONG TIME.

MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2023. HYPHEN 23. APPROVING MAJOR MODIFICATION 23.

HYPHEN OH ONE DEER PARK COMMERCE CENTER. BASED UPON FINDINGS OF FACT AS PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LIMO, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. AND THAT PASSES FIVE ZERO.

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE.

[5. Public Hearing * COMPAMD 2023-03 11280 US 1 North Self-Storage (Transmittal).]

[03:45:08]

ONE INDEPENDENT DRIVE, SUITE 1200, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. AND I WILL GO RIGHT TO MY PRESENTATION.

I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION PREPARED, BUT I'LL BE VERY QUICK. IF I'M TOO FAST, THAT MAY BE A GOOD THING.

JUST STOP ME AND TELL ME TO SLOW DOWN. BUT IN THE INTEREST OF TIMELINESS AND MY CLIENT'S FLIGHT HERE IN THE AFTERNOON.

US ONE NORTH SELF STORAGE. THIS IS A COMP PLAN AMENDMENT FOR A REQUEST FOR A FLOOR AREA RATIO INCREASE.

THE LOCATION, AS YOU SEE ON THE MAP HERE IS BETWEEN VALLEY RIDGE ROAD, COUNTY ROAD 210 AND THE NOCATEE FLYOVER.

IT'S ON US ONE NORTH ON THE EAST SIDE OF US ONE.

IT'S A REQUEST TO INCREASE THE FLOOR AREA RATIO AS A SITE SPECIFIC TAX POLICY.

IT'S A 2.05 ACRE SITE COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR ALONG US HIGHWAY ONE, INTENDED TO SERVE THE NEARBY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES.

SELF STORAGE USE IS CURRENTLY ALLOWED BY RIGHT SO THERE'S NO FLUME FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT OR REZONING NEEDED ON THIS.

THE LOT SIZE AND IRREGULAR SHAPE CONTRIBUTES TO DESIGN CHALLENGE WITH ONLY A 50% F.A.R LIMITATION CURRENTLY IN THE COMP PLAN.

HERE'S THE LAND USE AND ZONING. IT'S COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE AND INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL LAND USE AND ZONING.

HERE'S AN AERIAL OF THE SITE AND THEN THE SURROUNDING USES.

IMMEDIATELY BUDDING TO OUR NORTH IS THE RECENTLY BUILT CROSS RIDGE PLAZA, WITH A DAYCARE AND PRESCHOOL CURRENTLY OCCUPIED AS THE TENT IS ONE OF THE TENANTS.

THERE IS ONE RESIDENTIAL LOT. IT'S A LEGAL, NONCONFORMING LOT, ABOUT 0.18 ACRES.

A LITTLE TRIANGLE PIECE. JUST TO OUR SOUTH, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RV AND BOAT STORAGE BOTH EXISTING AND UNDERWAY IMMEDIATELY ABUTTING OUR PROPERTY.

FLEX INDUSTRIAL ACROSS THE STREET. YOU HAVE THE CR 210 OVERPASS, THE NOCATEE FLYOVER OVERPASS, THE FEC RAILROAD. JUST KIND OF PUTTING IT ALL INTO CONTEXT.

THEN YOU HAVE A FLEET REPAIR FACILITY THERE WITH HEAVY VEHICLES AND THEN FUTURE COMMERCIAL THAT IS SERVING NOCATEE THAT TO BE DEVELOPED IN THE FUTURE.

BUT WE'VE REACHED OUT TO PARK GROUP AND NOCATEE. THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH OUR PROJECT. LUCKILY, THERE'S NO OPPOSITION ON THIS ONE.

AND THEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS ADDRESSED IT AS A COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR ON US ONE.

JUST SHOWING THE KIND OF HEIGHT RELATIVITY CONTEXT. THIS IS THE FLYOVER ON THE NORTH SIDE THERE OF OUR PROPERTY.

THIS IS THE FLYOVER OR OVERPASS IN THE SOUTH SIDE BECAUSE WE'RE FRAMED BY THOSE TWO OVERPASSES.

HERE'S CROSS BRIDGE PLAZA ABUTTING TO THE NORTH. YOU CAN SEE THE THE CURRENT BUILDING THERE OCCUPIED BY A DAYCARE AND PRESCHOOL.

AND THEN THE SIGNAGE. THE SIGNAGE IS REALLY INDICATIVE OF IT'S A MARQUEE.

IT'S BUILT FOR MULTIPLE TENANTS AND FUTURE EXPANSION OF THAT PROPERTY.

HERE IS THE BUDDING OPEN RURAL DESIGNATED PROPERTY TO THE SOUTH.

YOU SEE THE PROPERTY HERE, THE LITTLE TRIANGLE PIECE. IT'S LEGALLY NON-CONFORMING. THERE'S BOATS AND U-HAUL TRUCKS AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

A 15 FOOT SKELETON SITTING OUT THERE. THE RV AND BOAT STORAGE FACILITY TO THE NORTH.

PRETTY EXPANSIVE. IT KIND OF FEEDS UP AND AROUND OUR PROPERTY, AND THEN THE RV AND BOAT STORAGE IMMEDIATELY ABUTTING OUR PROPERTY THERE TO THE TO THE EAST OF US. LET'S SEE HERE. HERE'S OUR SITE PLAN THAT'S GOING ON WITH THE PROPERTY.

SO YOU SEE THE THE BUILDING IS ROUGHLY 100,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING THREE STORIES.

WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANY INCREASE OR REQUEST FOR WAIVERS, DEVIATIONS OR SETBACKS, HEIGHT, LOT COVERAGE OR THE LIKE. ALL STANDARDS, INCLUDING THOSE FOR PARKING, STORMWATER, LANDSCAPING WILL BE MET EXCEPT FOR FLOOR AREA RATIO.

NO OTHER WAIVERS ARE NEEDED. NO WETLANDS FLOODPLAIN.

NO SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN. THIS REALLY IS A NICE CANVAS OF AN INFILL PIECE OF PROPERTY FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.

IT'S COMPATIBLE WITH THE OTHER COMMERCIAL USES ALONG US.

ONE AS DOCUMENTED IN THE AERIALS. THE REQUEST FOR ENCLOSED CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE ONLY.

OUTDOOR STORAGE USES ALREADY EXIST IMMEDIATELY IN THE AREA.

THE REQUEST IS FOR 32,750 SQUARE FOOT FOOTPRINT, WHICH IS ONLY 36% OF THE TOTAL LOT AREA.

AND WE WERE THE REQUEST IS TO LIMIT TO ONLY THREE STORIES, FOR A TOTAL OF 98,250FT².

THE INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR SELF STORAGE FACILITIES IS ABOUT 100,000FT² CURRENTLY FOR INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL LAND USE AND ZONING.

THE F.A.R. IS ONLY 50% AND THE ISR IS 75, WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM STANDARD.

THE TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE PROPERTY FOR SELF STORAGE SPECIFICALLY ALLOWS A POLICY TO LIMIT THE USE THAT MAY BE OTHERWISE GENERATE HIGH TRAFFIC DEMAND, I.E. THIS COULD BE A GAS STATION, C STORE, OR OTHER USES THAT ARE MUCH BIGGER IN GENERATION FROM TRAFFIC AND PARKING AND THE LIKE.

AND YOU CAN SEE HERE INDICATIVE OF COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE USES.

MINI WAREHOUSE SELF STORAGE FACILITIES. THE TRAFFIC AND PARKING GENERATION IS VERY, VERY LOW DEMAND.

THE ROADWAY LINK IS 126. IT'S OPERATING AT 93% CAPACITY.

[03:50:02]

HERE'S OUR SITE PLAN. AND JUST WANTED TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE. CURRENTLY THE CODE ONLY ALLOWS A 14,000 SQUARE FOOT FLOOR PLAN WITH THREE STOREYS.

SO YOU CAN SEE IF WE BUILT THAT, IT WOULD REALLY HAVE THE SAME MASS AND SCALE AND ORIENTATION FROM THE ROAD FRONTAGE AS WE ARE PROPOSING HERE FOR OUR INCREASE IN F.A.R. SO YOU SEE THE BUILDING FOOTPRINT UNDERNEATH IT, WHICH WE'RE REQUESTING, AND THEN WHAT THE CODE ALLOWS RIGHT NOW.

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE PROPERTY JUST TO OUR NORTH REALLY IS SITUATED VERY, VERY SIMILAR TO OURS.

THEY HAVE A POTENTIAL EXPANSION AREA TO GROW THEIR THEIR FOOTPRINT FOR COMMERCIAL USES IN THE BUILDING.

BUT THEIR, THEIR BUILDING IS ORIENTED. THEY HAVE THE BUILDING ON THE NORTH PART OF THEIR PROPERTY AND THEN THE PARKING AND THEN THE TURNAROUND ON THE SOUTH PROPERTY JUST LIKE OURS. SO IT SHOWS THE COMPATIBILITY AND THE CONSISTENCY FOR SITE PLANNING.

HERE ARE SOME ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS. THIS IS KIND OF THE ROAD FRONTAGE. WE'LL HAVE KIND OF A SOFT GREEN WALL OUT THERE. REAL MODERN LOOK TO IT.

THE DEVELOPERS OUT OF MIAMI. BUT IT'S A REALLY NICE APPEALING STRUCTURE, IF YOU WILL.

SELF STORAGE, A VERY LOW, INTENSE USE, EXPANSIVE PARKING, NOT WARRANTED.

STRICTLY ENFORCING THE FA RULE WITH NO OTHER WAIVER OF VARIANCE OR DEVIATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE SITE FOR SUCH A LOW INTENSITY USE, AND POSES A HARDSHIP ON THIS PROPERTY, SPECIFICALLY GIVEN ITS IRREGULAR SIZE AND SHAPE.

THE MITIGATING ELEMENTS OF THIS FA REQUEST ARE.

LESS LAND IS NEEDED, LESS IMPERVIOUS LOT COVERAGE, SIMILAR MASS AND PERSPECTIVE.

IT'S COMPATIBLE WITH THE AREA AND NEARBY USES AND MUCH LESS TRAFFIC.

AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY RECENTLY VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE IT.

THIS IS A TRANSMITTAL HEARING, SO IT WILL GO TO THE STATE AFTER THAT. YOU'LL HEAR IT AGAIN, IF WE'RE LUCKY, ON THE FINAL ROUND FOR ADOPTION. BUT WITH THAT, I WILL ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS OR ANSWERS FROM THE BOARD, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. WEBSTER. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

I LIKE HOW IT'S BETWEEN THE TWO FREEWAY. IT'S A REALLY GREAT POSITION WHERE IT IS.

THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD IS THE SKELETON GUY. DOES HE HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH IT? SKELETON GUY DOES NOT. WE REACHED OUT. WE REACHED OUT TO ALL THE NEIGHBORS, INCLUDING THE THE CHILD DAYCARE FACILITY. THEY HAD NO ISSUES AT ALL.

SKELETON GUY, WE COULDN'T REACH HIM. WE DIDN'T DOORKNOCKED AND JUST COULDN'T COULDN'T GET IT. SO WE TRIED.

ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? COMMISSIONER ARNOLD THIS TIME WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE.

GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN. CHUCK LABANOWSKI, 1748 NORTH CAPITOL.

I USE THE BOAT STORAGE FACILITY BEHIND THERE.

MY ONLY CONCERN IS THEY'RE GOING TO BE A DECELERATION LANE OFF OF ROUTE ONE GOING INTO THAT STORAGE UNIT.

I KNOW RIGHT NOW TO TAKE THE ROAD BACK TO THE BOAT STORAGE.

I'VE BEEN HIT ALMOST, ALMOST MAYBE 2 OR 3 TIMES JUST TRYING TO PULL IN THERE.

SO THE ACCELERATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THE PEOPLE OFF THAT ROADWAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. MR. WESTON. ALL RIGHT, SO WE WILL. THANKS, CHUCK.

BRAD WESTER THE AGENT FOR THE APPLICATION. WE WILL CERTAINLY ADHERE TO THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING STANDARDS THAT ARE APPLIED TO THIS SITE.

CURRENTLY THERE IS IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SEE ON THIS AERIAL, BUT YOU CAN SEE THERE ALREADY IS A DECEL LANE THERE.

THERE'S A DIESEL LANE THAT EXTENDS IN FRONT OF OUR PROPERTY AND FEEDS INTO THIS COMMERCIAL PLAZA HERE, WHICH IS CURRENTLY ONLY OCCUPIED BY A PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE.

BUT AGAIN, TRAILERS REALLY WON'T BE VISITING OUR SITE BECAUSE IT'S NOT FOR RV AND BOATS.

IT'S FOR JUST U-HAUL TRUCKS, PEOPLE, PERSONAL OCCUPANCY VEHICLES DELIVERING THEIR STUFF TO A CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE FACILITY.

BUT AS NEEDED, PER THE STANDARDS FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING, WE WILL ADHERE TO THE STANDARDS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO US FOR ANY SITE PLANNING ENGINEERING IN THE FUTURE. BUT THERE IS A DECEL LANE OUT THERE CURRENTLY FEEDING BOTH PROPERTIES.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? ALL RIGHT.

IF NOT, I THINK WE'RE READY FOR A MOTION. I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TRANSMITTAL OF COMMAND 2023 0311280 US ONE NORTH SOUTH STORAGE BASED UPON FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AS PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

ALL RIGHT. THAT PASSES FIVE ZERO. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX.

[6. Public Hearing * CDD AMD 2023-01 Entrada CDD. Petition to amend the Entrada Community Development District to add approximately 131.99 acres to the District.]

WELCOME. GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM NOT KATIE BUCHANAN.

MY NAME IS KYLE MCGEE. I'M ONE OF HER COLLEAGUES WITH THE KUTAK ROCK IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA,

[03:55:02]

ACTUALLY, HERE TO REQUEST THAT THIS PUBLIC HEARING BE CONTINUED TO THE BOARD'S JULY 18TH MEETING.

WE HAD A OUR OFFICE HAD A BIT OF A MISCOMMUNICATION WITH OUR CLIENT, AND WE WERE RECENTLY MADE AWARE THAT SOME OF THE LOTS WITHIN THE EXPANSION PARCELS INCLUDED IN THIS PETITION HAVE BEEN SOLD TO END USERS ALREADY.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T HAVE AND THAT WASN'T BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION WITH ENOUGH TIME TO PROVIDE THE 14 DAY STATUTORILY REQUIRED NOTICE REQUIRED BY 190 .04 61H AND FLORIDA STATUTES TO THESE END USERS IN TIME FOR TODAY'S MEETING.

CONTINUING THE HEARING TO THE JULY 18TH MEETING WOULD WOULD GIVE US AMPLE TIME TO PROVIDE THAT NOTICE AS WELL AS PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH THE CONSENT AND JOINDER DOCUMENTATION FROM THESE END USERS AS WELL. SO, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I JUST REQUEST THAT WE WE CONTINUE THIS PUBLIC HEARING TO THE JULY 18TH MEETING, BUT MEETING, BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THAT THERE ARE SO.

UNDERSTOOD. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD AT THIS TIME? COMMISSIONER ALAIMO? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

WOULD WE HAVE AVAILABILITY AT THAT AT THAT MEETING TO TO HAVE THAT ON THE AGENDA? THAT'S NOT TRUE. I DON'T KNOW HOW HEAVY THE AGENDA IS YET, BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS YOU CAN CONTINUE IT TO A DATE TO BE DETERMINED.

MR. CHAIR, AND THEN WE CAN LOOK AT THE 18TH. AT THE 18TH IS AVAILABLE.

IT'S NOT PACKED WITH 20 ITEMS OR MORE. THEN WE CAN PUT IT ON THAT.

IF IT HAS SEVERAL ITEMS I'LL GET WITH YOU. WE CAN PUT IT TO THE FIRST AVAILABLE IN AUGUST.

I CAN ANSWER THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, IN CASE THERE'S ANYBODY HERE THAT WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THE ON THIS ITEM HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. OKAY. AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. COMMISSIONER LIMA, THIS IS YOUR DISTRICT.

YOU'VE HEARD A SUGGESTION FROM OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'D LIKE TO OFFER A MOTION TO MOVE CD, AMD AND STRATA CD TO A AGENDA TO BE DETERMINED.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL RIGHT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LIMO TO MOVE OR TO CONTINUE TO A FUTURE DATE? UNCERTAIN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. ALL RIGHT. THAT PASSES FIVE ZERO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. SEE YOU NEXT MONTH OR THE MONTH AFTER.

HOPEFULLY. OKAY, SO WE ARE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, WHICH IS A VACATION OF RIGHT OF WAY SAN

[7. Public Hearing * VACROA 2022-11 San Sebastian Commercial - Public Hearing to vacate portions of Sartillo Street and Quitto Street.]

THIS OUT OF THE EQUATION. THAT'S A LITTLE LATE.

BUT THE NEXT AFTERNOON, FOR THE RECORD, DOUG BURNETT, SAINT JOHN'S LAW GROUP, 104 MAIN STREET, HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE SOMEWHAT CASUAL ATTIRE.

I WAS TOLD WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE THIS MORNING THAT I WAS GOING TO BE FIGHTING RAIN.

LIKE MOST OF US WERE, SO SOMEHOW ESCAPED IT. WITH ME TODAY IS BOB, A LONGTIME CLIENT? LONG TIME. AS MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY OVER THE YEARS HERE IN THIS LOCATION.

HE'S ONE OF THOSE SMALL GUYS WITH A SMALL PROJECT THAT COMES IN FROM TIME TO TIME.

THIS RIGHT OF WAY VACATION IS ONE OF HIS TO ORIENT YOU.

IT'S RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM WHERE WE'RE LOCATED RIGHT NOW. BUT, YOU KNOW, MIDDLE PART OF THE COUNTY. THAT'S WHAT THE RIGHT OF WAY LOCATION LOOKS LIKE FROM A LOCATION MAP. IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THIS MAP ON AN AERIAL THE BOTTOM RIGHT IS YOUR PERMITS THAT ARE BUILDING, YOU KNOW, OFF THE SCREEN FURTHER TO THE SOUTH.

WOULD BE THE BUILDING WE'RE STANDING IN RIGHT NOW, TODAY.

SO YOU CAN SEE THE JAIL ALWAYS KIND OF REMINDS ME OF SOME SORT OF STAR WARS SPACE PLANE, YOU KNOW? BUT ANYWAYS, VACATION THE RIGHT OF WAY IS PART OF AN OLD PLAT.

A COUPLE BENEFITS OF VACATING THIS RIGHT OF WAY.

NEGATIVES OF THE CURRENT RIGHT OF WAY ARE BIG, BUT JUST A FEW THINGS ABOUT IT.

IF YOU BUILT IT OUT, POTENTIALLY THESE ROADS WOULD BE PUBLIC ROADS IF YOU BUILT THEM TO COUNTY STANDARDS, BECAUSE THE ROADS WITHIN THAT PLAT CURRENTLY ARE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY.

THERE WAS AN ADOPTION DEDICATION IN THERE WHERE THE COUNTY ACCEPTED IT, AS CRAZY AS THAT SOUNDS, WAY BACK WHEN. SO YOU HAVE SOME LONG TERM ROAD MAINTENANCE, POTENTIALLY, EVEN IF SOMEONE BUILT IT AND YOU GET NO TAX BENEFITS BY VACATING THE RIGHT OF WAY. YOU'RE NOT CHARGED. OBVIOUSLY, YOU DON'T HAVE LONG TERM MAINTENANCE OF THE ROADS.

THERE'S NO CHANGE TO DEVELOP THE LOTS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR. THE LOT COUNT STAYS THE SAME.

AND YOU ALSO WIND UP WITH AD VALOREM TAX REVENUE, BECAUSE THE LAND THAT IS MARKED IN THIS RIGHT OF WAY WILL BECOME.

[04:00:05]

IF YOU WANTED THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND ZONING MAP, HERE THEY ARE.

NOTHING REALLY CHANGES FROM THIS. AND HERE'S AN OVERALL AERIAL OF THE ENTIRE.

BOUNDARY OF THE PARCEL OWNED BY MY CLIENT. AND WITH THAT, I'LL SHUT UP AND BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME. ALL RIGHT. LET'S HEAR.

PUBLIC COMMENT. AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT, MISS NADINE.

YES, SIR. APPROVED. MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 226.

APPROVING VACATION OF RIGHT OF WAY 2022 DASH 11 SAN SEBASTIAN COMMERCIAL A PETITION TO VACATE PORTIONS OF SALTILLO STREET AND CATO STREET IN THE NAVARRA SUBDIVISION. SECOND, I'M BACK IN SPAIN.

MOTION. MR. DEAN. SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER LIMA.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES FIVE ZERO.

CONGRATULATIONS. ALL RIGHT. THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, WHICH IS A VACATION OF PLAT LOT 30 AT

[8. Public Hearing * VACPLA 2023-01 Lot 30 at St. Augustine Shores.]

HELLO. MY WIFE AND I WERE TRYING TO BUILD A POOL BEHIND OUR HOUSE AND THE ZONING DEPARTMENT.

WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS, THERE WAS A DRAINAGE EASEMENT IN OUR BACKYARD.

SO THEY SAID THERE IS A WAY TO STILL PUT IT BEHIND THE HOUSE AND NOT INTERFERE AMONG YOUR NEIGHBORS BY PUTTING THAT ASIDE.

AND WE'RE THIS IS THAT PROCESS THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE IT THERE IT IS. BILL, WE'RE BACK IN THE CORNER.

WE'RE BACK UP FROM MOSES CREEK PARK. WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP.

YOU CAN SEE THERE. THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTED IS THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT AREA.

WE GOT A LETTER FROM OUR HOA, AND WE HAD AN ENGINEER LOOK AT IT, SAYING THAT IT WILL NOT IMPACT ANY OF THE PLATTED LOTS OR ADJACENT PROPERTY IF THIS IS APPROVED. THE HOA HAS NO PROBLEM WITH IT. YOU CAN SEE THE LEFT IS WHERE OUR CURRENT YARD IS AND THE RIGHT WILL SHOW WHAT IT WOULD BE FINISHED.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT ONE, BUT IT'S ALL THERE.

ANY QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.

SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT.

FURTHER QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER. NO QUESTIONS, MR. CHAIRMAN. IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE POOL THERE. I'M GOING TO OFFER A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS.

2023. HYPHEN 227. PETITION FOR A PARTIAL CLASSIFICATION OF A DRAINAGE EASEMENT.

V.A.C. PL A 23 HYPHEN ZERO ONE, LOT 30, AT SAINT AUGUSTINE SHORES, BASED ON THE FIVE FINDINGS OF FACT.

SECOND MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. CONGRATULATIONS.

PASSES FIVE ZERO. THANK YOU. OKAY, SO THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER NINE.

[9. Public Hearing * VACPLA 2023-02 Lot 80 at Turtle Shores.]

OKAY. DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY TO REPRESENT THE APPLICANT FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER NINE? THIS IS A VACATION OF A PLAT FOR LOT 80 AT TURTLE SHORES.

MR. MEIGHAN, I MEIGHAN. I DON'T SEE THE APPLICANT HERE. MR. ROBERTSON. WE DON'T SEE THE APPLICANT HERE EITHER, SO.

OKAY. SO WHAT DO YOU ADVISE THAT WE DO? SO THIS IS AT THE BOARD'S DISCRETION.

THERE SHE IS. SHE JUST WALKED IN. YEAH. OKAY.

RIGHT ON TIME. SAVED BY THE BELL. I RESCIND ANYTHING I SAID.

IT'S GREAT ADVICE. IT'S GREAT ADVICE. GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. JUST HEAD TO MY SEAT.

I'M FEELING GREAT. MY NAME IS DIANE SCHERF. I LIVE AT 332 EBB TIDE COURT.

YOU CAN'T HEAR ME. I AM I'M SO SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE BOARD TO DO THEIR QUASI JUDICIAL, AND I DIDN'T DO THAT.

SO WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH OUR EX-PARTE DISCLOSURES.

COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

YES, I I SPOKE WITH MISS DIANE SCHERF ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK.

AND AS RECENTLY AS OF THIS MORNING WE DISCUSSED THE PROJECT.

SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE. MR. DEAN. I'VE HAD AT LEAST PROBABLY TWO TELEPHONE CALLS WITH MISS SHERIFF IN THE PAST MONTH.

[04:05:06]

WHICH THE BACKYARD, THE PROPOSED POOL, THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT.

YEAH. WHAT HAPPENED HERE? OKAY. I, TOO, HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF PHONE CALLS WITH MISS SCHERF TO DISCUSS THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT.

YOU KNOW, THE THE IDEA THAT SHE WANTS TO PUT A POOL IN HER BACKYARD THE HOA POSITION ON THE FACT THAT SHE WANTS TO PUT A POOL.

I ALSO REQUESTED A MEETING WITH STAFF, AND I HAD THAT MEETING ON JUNE 15TH AT 1230 WITH MR. MIDGETT AND MR. ROBERTSON. IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO AN EMAIL THAT HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT MR. POOL. SO WE WILL JUST KIND OF ANSWER ALL MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INFORMATION AND THE LEGALITY OF WHAT MR. IS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

YES. I ALSO SPOKE WITH THE SHERIFF ON JUNE 13TH VIA PHONE.

WE DISCUSSED KIND OF THE HISTORY OF THIS, THE HOA APPROVAL, AND I GUESS THE PATH THAT'S KIND OF TAKEN HER TO GET HERE.

COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. WELL, I'M REALLY CURIOUS. I NEVER GOT A CALL. NEVER MET WITH STAFF.

THAT'S INTERESTING. HOW COME I JUST DIDN'T CALL EVERYBODY? I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO. EVERYONE BUT ME. I'M JUST CURIOUS.

HELL, NO. OH. I DID GET A EMAIL WITH SOME PROBLEMS FROM ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS, AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU. SURE. WELL, JUST TO BE CLEAR, MY MEETING WITH STAFF WAS AT MY REQUEST.

YEAH, BUT SHE CALLED YOU, RIGHT? NO, SHE CALLED ME.

YEAH, I GOT NO CALLS. OKAY. SO WITH THAT, I THINK WE'RE READY TO HEAR YOUR PRESENTATION.

SURE. SORRY FOR THE DELAY. THAT'S OKAY. THIS IS TO VACATE A PLAT.

OH. DO YOU WANT ME TO DO IT? YEAH.

THERE WE GO. SO I LIVE AT 332. COURT IS IN TURTLE SHORES.

IT'S ABOUT 15 MILES SOUTH OF. I WOULD GUESS MICHAEL BEACH WOULD PROBABLY BE A GOOD SPOT.

AS YOU CAN SEE, I'M IN BETWEEN THE OCEAN AND THE INTERCOASTAL.

AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE IS NOT JUST FOR A POOL.

THIS IS ABOUT CORRECTING A PLAT. THE PLAT FOR THIS PROPERTY.

AND EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT A POOL. BUT THAT'S HOW IT STARTED. BUT NOW I'M JUST TRYING TO CORRECT WHAT THE DOCUMENTS ARE SHOWING RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS INCORRECT. IT IS SHOWING THAT I HAVE A POND AND I DO NOT HAVE A POND.

I KEEP GOING THE WRONG WAY. THERE WE GO. THIS IS TO.

THE REQUEST IS TO IS TO VACATE A 20 FOOT DRAINAGE EASEMENT THAT GOES FOR THIS LITTLE SLIVER.

IF YOU SEE THE YELLOW, YOU CAN TELL THAT THAT IS A PORTION OF AN RETENTION POND THAT HAD BEEN HAD BEEN BUILT ON LOT 81.

I'M LOT 80. THEY HAD THE BUILDER HAD ORIGINALLY DESIGNED THIS PROPERTY, THE POND TO EXTEND, KIND OF LIKE A FINGER IN A VERY SMALL AREA TO CONTINUE THE POND.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S VERY SMALL. BUT THERE IS I GUESS THE BUILDER DECIDED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR IT.

SO THERE IS NO POND IN MY YARD. THERE NEVER HAS BEEN A POND AT THIS PROPERTY SINCE 1999, AND THAT'S WHEN IT WAS BUILT.

I'M NOT SURE WHY IT STILL EXISTS ON THE PLAT, BUT THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

I CALLED COUNTY. ONCE I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS MY POOL GUY ACTUALLY FOUND IT, I DIDN'T KNOW.

AND SO IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET IT REMOVED.

I WAS TOLD FROM THE COUNTY THAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH MY HOA TO GET THEM TO RELEASE THE EASEMENT, WHICH IS WHAT I DID. SO I WENT TO THE HOA AND I SAID, I'M GOING TO GET I NEED A RELEASE OF EASEMENT.

AND THEY SAID, OKAY, WELL, WE NEED YOU TO GET AN ENGINEER TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S ENOUGH WATER DRAINAGE AND TREATMENT, ETCETERA. SO I DID THAT.

I HIRED JOHN NEVIN, WHO HAS ALSO DONE SOME WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO HE CAME. HE DID HIS DUE DILIGENCE. THEN HE SUBMITTED EVERYTHING TO THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER DISTRICT MANAGEMENT.

THEY HAD TO APPROVE OF IT. THEY DID. ALL OF THAT WAS SENT TO THE HOA.

THEY VOTED ON IT. THEY RELEASED IT. AND I HAVE A DOCUMENT TO SHOW THAT.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT. THIS IS THE LETTER FROM THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT SAYING, YES, WE APPROVE. THERE'S NO REASON FOR THIS. THERE'S NO REASON FOR YOU TO TAKE DOWN A 100 YEAR OLD TREES AND PUT IN A POND IN YOUR BACKYARD. THIS IS THE COVENANT FOR THE RELEASE.

AND IT SAYS PARTIAL RELEASE OF EASEMENT BECAUSE MY NEIGHBOR'S POND STILL HAS AN EASEMENT, NOT ME.

[04:10:04]

SO THERE IS NO LONGER A POND ON MY PROPERTY, NOR THE EASEMENT.

AND THAT'S WHERE I AM TODAY BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.

I NOW HAD TO COME IN FRONT OF YOU GUYS, WHICH IS GREAT TO SAY.

COULD YOU FIX IT? AND THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR.

SO. ANY. OKAY. I THINK WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR CHRISTINE. CAN WE ACTUALLY VERIFY THE HOA PERSON CAN ACTUALLY RELEASE THE RIGHTS TO THAT PROPERTY.

THE CHANGES TO PLATTED SUBDIVISION, WHETHER IT'S CHANGING LOTS OR RELEASING EASEMENTS, IS CONTROLLED BY A PROCESS IN THE PLATTING STATUTE IN CHAPTER 177 FLORIDA STATUTES. IT DOESN'T REQUIRE THAT THE HOA AGREE TO THE PARTICULAR REQUEST.

IN MY OPINION, THE HOA DOESN'T HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO UNILATERALLY CHANGE FEATURES IN A PLATTED SUBDIVISION.

I BELIEVE THAT THE PROCESS WE'RE HERE TODAY FOR IS THE LEGAL AND APPROPRIATE WAY TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES.

SO THE HOA LETTER DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING, BUT HAS SHE GOTTEN EVERY OTHER THING THAT SHE NEEDED FOR THIS? YES. OKAY. THANK YOU. YES. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE BOARD? OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME.

THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER NINE.

WELCOME. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO HEAR ME OUT. NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

AND CAN WE MAKE SURE HIS MICROPHONE IS TURNED ON? JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CAPTURING.

SORRY IF THE RED LIGHT'S NOT ON. THERE WE GO.

THERE WE GO. EVERYBODY HEAR ME NOW? YEAH. YEAH.

LET ME LET LET ME BACK YOU UP. MY NAME IS JAY GOSS G A S I LIVE AT 1452 ATLANTIC BREEZEWAY WITHIN TURTLE SHORES. I'M HERE TODAY TO REQUEST THAT YOU EITHER DENY OR DELAY THIS REQUEST FROM THE PETITIONER. THIS VACATION. BECAUSE OF A NUMBER OF REASONS.

THE FIRST REASON THAT I HAVE IS WELCOME TO HURRICANE SEASON.

WITH THE IMPENDING HURRICANE BRET BEING NAMED IN A IN A FEW HOURS.

WE ARE VERY CONCERNED WITH INTERNAL STORES. AND I'M PARTICULARLY CONCERNED WITH INTERNAL STORES OF THE IMPACT OF HURRICANES ON OUR SUBDIVISION. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAD IN 2020, WE HAD A STUDY DONE IN THIS STUDY, AND I'M NOT SURE IF EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS, BUT YOU PROBABLY DO.

TURTLE SHORES HAS A TUNNEL FOR RESIDENTS UNDER A-1-A TO THE BEACH.

AND THAT TUNNEL IS A LARGE CONCERN TO US FROM THE STANDPOINT OF BEACH EROSION.

SINCE HURRICANE MATTHEW, WE'VE LOST 70 TO 75FT OF OUR DUNE.

AND AS OF THE LAST MEETING OF THE BOARD THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD ON IN JUNE DECLARED THAT THE DUNE WAS BREACHED AND THEY HAD TO ACTUALLY GO OUT AND REPAIR THE DUNE WHICH RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT 40FT OF DUNE LEFT BETWEEN THE BEACH AND THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE.

NOW, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS DIAGRAM THAT I HAVE HERE PROPERTY 80 IS RIGHT HERE, APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS AWAY IS THE ENTRANCE OF THE TUNNEL. THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED UNDER FLORIDA STATE STATUTES OF BEACH EROSION, SHOWING THAT WITH THE ELIMINATION OF THE DUNE, WE WOULD HAVE APPROXIMATELY 500 GALLONS OF WATER PER MINUTE FLOW THROUGH THE TUNNEL. AND THAT STUDY ONLY REPLICATED A BASICALLY A NOR'EASTER COMING THROUGH OUR AREA. A HURRICANE WOULD PROVIDE A LOT MORE WATER THROUGH THE TUNNEL.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE ENTRANCE TO THE SUBDIVISION, WHICH IS ONLY THERE'S ONLY TWO ENTRANCES TO THE SUBDIVISION WOULD COME OUT.

THE WATER WOULD, WITH A STRONGER STORM, WOULD COME OUT ONTO TURTLE SHORES, DRIVE DOWN TURTLE SHORES DRIVE AND INTO THIS AREA.

THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. CAN I ASK ONE QUICK QUESTION?

[04:15:08]

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? SO WE NEED MORE DRAINAGE SO THAT WITH THE STRONGER STORMS AND THE MORE FREQUENT STORMS WE ANTICIPATE. I ANTICIPATE THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO DIG MORE OF MORE OF A POND WHICH THE ORIGINAL EISAI WHO DEVELOPED THIS AREA. THEIR ENGINEERS AND THE COUNTY BOARD WHO APPROVED THE PLAT ALSO SAW INTO THE FUTURE. RIGHT NOW, I THINK WE'RE BEING VERY SHORTSIGHTED BY ELIMINATING THIS DRAINAGE EASEMENT, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO NEED. THAT'S JUST A FACT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Y'ALL APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER DEAN, YOU HAD A COMMENT. LET ME PUT ON MY WATER MANAGEMENT HAT.

FROM DAYS GONE BY AND COMMENT ON THIS HISTORY OF THIS PROJECT AND THIS ISSUE.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS POND AS OUTLINED ON THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT THAT WAS SUBMITTED ORIGINALLY, PROBABLY 25 OR 30 YEARS AGO WHEN TURTLE SHORES WAS FIRST APPROVED AND STARTED DEVELOPMENT.

THAT THERE WAS A MASTER STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PERMIT FOR THE ENTIRE TURTLE SHORES PROJECT, AND WHAT THAT REQUIRES IS SUBMITTAL OF ENOUGH PONDS.

SORT OF LIKE THE DISCUSSION WITH MEVO THIS MORNING THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF, IN THIS CASE, OF 1 IN 25 YEAR STORM. I DON'T THINK 1 IN 100 ACTUALLY WAS CORRECT.

BUT THEY SAID THIS MORNING. BUT SO THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT APPROVED THIS MASTER STORMWATER PLAN PERMIT 25 OR 30 YEARS AGO WITH THIS PARTICULAR POND, WITH THE EASEMENT OUTLINED, THE PLAT, THE PLAT APPROVAL.

THAT'S WHAT THAT WHAT IS WHAT MET THE WATER MANAGEMENT TEST.

AND THEY'RE THE ONES IN CHARGE IN FLORIDA OF MASTER STORMWATER DRAINAGE PLANS AND PERMITS AND CONDITIONS FOR EVERY LARGE DEVELOPMENT.

YOU'VE HEARD MANY, MANY HOURS OF TESTIMONY ABOUT MARSH LANDING, FOR EXAMPLE.

OKAY, SO WITH THAT SAID, SCOTT, NO, I'M SORRY, SCOTT.

BRAD PURCELL, WHO IS NOW THE CHIEF OF STAFF AT WATER MANAGEMENT.

SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT, HAS SENT US A LETTER.

OR MAYBE IT WAS TO MISS SHERIFF, BUT THE LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF WATER MANAGEMENT SAID, NO, THAT'S INCORRECT. WE DON'T NEED THAT. WE RECOMMEND RELEASING THIS PART OF THE PLAT, THIS, THIS, THIS PART OF THE EASEMENT, BECAUSE IT LITERALLY COVERS THE SHERIFF'S BACK HALF OF HER BACKYARD, WHEN IN FACT, THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN THAT ALL THAT'S NEEDED IS THE POND THAT'S THERE NOW.

AND SO, TURTLE SHORES, I DON'T WANT TO DISAGREE WITH THE GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE.

I THINK TURTLE SHORES MAY DEFINITELY, AS A DEVELOPMENT, MAY NEED MORE DRAINAGE AND MORE STORAGE AREA, BUT NOT IN THIS SPECIFIC SITE AS DETERMINED BY THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE THAT BACKGROUND WITH I SINCE I MY OLD JOB.

SO WITH THAT SAID, I CERTAINLY WOULD WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF THIS OF THIS PROJECT, A REMOVAL OF THE THAT PORTION OF THE EASEMENT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN. I KNOW WE'RE STILL HERE IN PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT I KNOW COMMISSIONER DEAN WANTED TO SPEAK TO THAT. ANY FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER NINE? GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ROGER FRY.

I LIVE AT 1416 ATLANTIC BREEZE WAY IN TURTLE SHORES.

I HAD SOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE HOA APPROVAL, WHETHER IT WAS VALID OR NOT.

WE DON'T FEEL IT IS WAS VALID, BUT APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T NEED TO BE EVEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

MY CONCERN IS THAT IN OPPOSITION OR NOT OPPOSITION, BUT IN REFERENCE TO MR. DEAN, I THINK THIS FLOOD POTENTIAL FLOODING IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

THE DUNE, ACCORDING TO THE BOARD, WAS BREACHED IN JUNE.

THE LAST STORM THAT WATER GOT TO ALMOST DOWN TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE TUNNEL.

IF THE DUNE IS. DEMOLISHED BY A STORM, THAT WATER WILL ALL RUN INTO THE INTO THE HOUSING AREA. AND I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD CHANGE ANYTHING OR REDUCE ANY DRAINAGE.

BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. SO APPRECIATE THE TIME.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER NINE? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

[04:20:04]

SO I CANNOT I DON'T WANT TO SEE TURTLE SHORES FLOODED OUT.

SO I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE THE OTHER SIDE. OKAY.

THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO GIVE MR. SCHIFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.

THAT'S HER RIGHT TO MAKE A MOTION. BUT SHE'S WELCOME TO SPEAK IF YOU'D LIKE TO RESPOND.

YOU DO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY IF YOU WANT TO. DO THAT.

OR THE ENGINEER THAT I HIRED COULD NOT BE HERE.

BUT TO THESE TWO GENTLEMAN'S POINT EVEN IF WE WANTED TO BUILD UPON THERE, YOU CAN'T IN ORDER TO HAVE A WET POND, IT HAS TO BE NINE FEET DEEP.

IT'S ONLY 20FT WIDE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FIVE FOOT BERM ON ONE SIDE AND A FIVE FOOT BERM ON THE OTHER.

THEREFORE MAKING THIS WET POND, IF YOU WILL, ABOUT A FOOT.

YOU CAN'T KEEP WATER IN THERE. RIGHT NOW THERE'S VEGETATION.

AND WE'VE BEEN THROUGH TWO HURRICANES JUST RECENTLY, AND THEY LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WHERE I LIVE.

THEY HAD FLOODING. I DID NOT. NOTHING. MY YARD NEVER FLOODED.

IT'S NEVER FLOODED IN TEN YEARS. AND RIGHT NOW, SUPPOSEDLY THAT'S A DRAINAGE EASEMENT, BUT IT'S NEVER BEEN USED FOR THAT.

SO I SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WITH THE ENGINEER.

HE CALCULATED ALL THE SCENARIOS COMING IN THROUGH THE TUNNEL.

HOW MY LITTLE STRIP OF YARD THAT IS WAY AWAY FROM THE TUNNEL WOULD BE AFFECTED OR WOULD AFFECT ANYTHING.

AND HE SAID, ABSOLUTELY NOT. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT.

THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. SHERIFF. COMMISSIONER DEAN, YOU'RE PREPARED TO MAKE IT NOW BASED ON THE LETTER FROM THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT APPROVING THIS PLAT ADJUSTMENT.

I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023 228. PETITION FOR PLAT VACATION OF THE CPLA 2020 302, LOT 80 AT TURTLE SHORES BASED ON THE FIVE FINDINGS OF FACT.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEAN, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LIMO.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. PLEASE VOTE.

THE MOTION TO APPROVE PASSES 4 TO 1. THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS, MR.. OKAY, THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TEN.

[10. Public Hearing * PLNAPPL 2023-02 Strickland Carport.]

THIS IS LISTED AS A QUASI JUDICIAL ITEM. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, I APPRECIATE THAT. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, EX-PARTE ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TEN.

NOTHING, SIR. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. YES, I HAD I WENT TO A SITE VISIT WITH MR. STRICKLAND ON MARCH 28TH AT APPROXIMATELY NOON.

I ALSO HAD A MEETING ON THURSDAY, JUNE 15TH, 2023 AT 10:30 A.M.

WITH JIMMY JOHNSON AND STAFF IN OPPOSITION TO THIS APPEAL.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. I HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY MEETINGS, COMMISSIONER DEANE.

NONE. COMMISSIONER. ALAIMO. NO. EX PARTE. ALL RIGHT, SIR.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JACK STRICKLAND.

I'M CO-OWNER WITH MY WIFE, KAREN STRICKLAND, WHO'S HERE WITH ME THIS MORNING OF THE PROPERTY AT EIGHT FOUR, SEVEN THREE PERRY PARK ROAD. WE BUILT THIS PROPERTY ON STARTING IN 2008 AND FINISHED IN 2009.

AND I HATE TO SAY IT THIS WAY, BUT UNLIKE SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORS, WE HAVE CONTINUALLY TRIED TO IMPROVE THE VALUE OF OUR PROPERTY BY ADDITIONS. THE CARPORT IN QUESTION WAS BUILT APPROXIMATELY SEVEN YEARS AGO, WITH NOTHING BEING SAID ABOUT THE CARPORT FROM MR. JOHNSON, MY NEIGHBOR OR ANYONE ELSE, AND HE STATED HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE CARPORT UNTIL IT WAS FINISHED.

WELL, THAT WAS SEVEN YEARS AGO, SEVEN YEARS, AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS AGO.

AND I REGRETTED HIS MEMORIES FAILED HIM. BUT WHILE MY CONTRACTORS WERE BUILDING THE CARPORT, MR. JOHNSON PULLED THEM AWAY FROM OUR JOB TO HAVE THEM GIVE HIM A BID TO BUILD A SCREENED PORCH ON THE REAR OF HIS TRAILER.

MY MEMORY, TOO, IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMED. WHAT IT WAS IN MY YOUNGER YEARS.

BUT BOTH MY WIFE AND I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER DISCUSSING OUR CONTRACTORS, WHY OUR CONTRACTORS WOULD LEAVE OUR JOB WHILE THEY WERE ON THE CLOCK, TO GIVE MR. JOHNSON A BID. OKAY. AFTER SEVEN YEARS, MR. JOHNSON BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION OF HIS DISPLEASURE WITH MY CARPORT AND TO THE CLOSENESS OF THE PROPERTY LINE ON THE FAR SIDE OF MR. JOHNSON'S PROPERTY. HE'S IN VIOLATION OF THE SAME SETBACK THAT HE CLAIMS THAT I'M IN VIOLATION IN.

WHY IS IT? MY QUESTION IS, WHY IS HE SINGLING ME OUT? WHY DO I HAVE TO BE THE ONLY PERSON ON THIS STREET TO LIVE UP TO SETBACKS?

[04:25:01]

ON THE. ON THE STREET, ON VARIOUS PARK ROAD, AND OUT OF THOSE 12 RESIDENCES.

EVERYONE THAT I KNOW OF, THERE MIGHT BE AN EXCEPTION, BUT I DON'T THINK SO.

EVERYONE IS IN VIOLATION OF THE SEVEN OF THE EIGHT FOOT SETBACKS, SIMPLY BECAUSE THESE LOTS ARE TINY.

THEY'RE VERY SMALL. AND HE HE IS. HE HAS STATED THAT THAT I'M IN VIOLATION.

AND I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I COULD TO BUILD ON EVERY SQUARE INCH OF THE PROPERTY THERE.

I'M THE ONLY PERSON ON THE STREET THAT THAT HAS A 20 FOOT SETBACK, WHICH IS, WHICH IS, IS REQUIRED FOR THE FOR THE EASEMENT.

IF, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO POINT FINGERS AT NEIGHBORS, THAT'S NOT ME, OKAY.

BUT I'M THE ONLY PERSON ON THE STREET THAT MAINTAINS A 20 FOOT SETBACK AS REQUIRED.

AND MY QUESTION IS AND MY QUESTION THAT THE REASON I THINK THAT THIS THIS VARIANCE SHOULD BE APPROVED.

IS IT IF EVERYBODY ON THE STREETS IN VIOLATION? WHY DO I HAVE TO BE THE EXCEPTION? THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. MR. STRICKLAND. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME FROM THE BOARD? YES, I ACTUALLY HAVE A FEW FOR MISS FRAZIER.

MR.. MISS FRAZIER, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND COMING UP HERE, PLEASE.

OH, NO, SIR, YOU CAN HAVE A SEAT. IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE'LL JUST GIVE YOU A CALL.

THANK YOU. YES, COMMISSIONER. MR. FRAZIER. MR. STRICKLAND INDICATED THAT HE HAD CONTINUED TO IMPROVE HIS PROPERTY WITH, I GUESS, VARIOUS DIFFERENT STRUCTURES AS THE YEARS HAVE GONE ON.

WERE ANY OF THOSE PERMITTED? BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THE ONLY PERMIT THAT I FOUND OTHER THAN THE SINGLE FAMILY HOME IS FOR ONE SHED THAT WAS LESS THAN 200FT². OKAY. OKAY. THANK YOU. YOU'RE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? ALL RIGHT, MADAM VICE CHAIR, LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TEN.

COME ON DOWN.

WELCOME. GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY FOR US.

AND I KNOW FOR Y'ALL. NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.

MY NAME IS JIMMY JOHNSON. I LIVE AT 8925. EXCUSE ME.

HIPS ROAD, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. I'M THE OWNER OF 8479 PARRISH PARK ROAD AND ADJACENT NEIGHBOR TO THE SOUTH OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE COOPERATION I'VE HAD FROM EVERYBODY THAT'S INVOLVED HERE, ALL THE CORRESPONDENCE THAT I'VE HAD ALL THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT I'VE HAD.

IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE TO DO, TO SPEAK WITH PEOPLE.

LIKE I SAID, I LIVE IN DUVAL COUNTY AND THERE WHEN YOU GO DOWN THERE TO DO BUSINESS IN JACKSONVILLE, THEY LOOK AT YOU LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU KNOW.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THE CORRESPONDENCE AND ALL THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

THERE'S A LOT OF DEFINITIONS, YARDS, SETBACKS, EASEMENTS AND VARIANCES NOT GOING TO GO INTO THEM BECAUSE I KNOW THAT Y'ALL KNOW WHAT THEY ARE. BUT THE ONE DESCRIBES VARIANCES I THINK APPLIES TO THIS VERY WELL.

I STAND IN OPPOSITION TO APPROVAL OF A ZONING VARIANCE REQUEST INVOLVING TABLE 601 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, ALREADY DENIED BY THE PLANNING AGENCY. THERE'S THREE ISSUES CLOSED IN ON THE PROPERTY LINE BETWEEN 8473 AND 8479 PARIS PARK ROAD, REQUIRED BY THE TABLE SIX TO HAVE AN EIGHT FOOT SETBACK AT CURLIE HAS ZERO PROXIMITY TO STRUCTURE IN THE FOOT TRAFFIC ACCESSING WITHOUT TRESPASSING AT 8479.

RAINWATER FROM THE ROOF CAUSES A PROBLEM DURING RAINY DAYS.

THE WALL PREVENTS A CLEAR VIEW OF SITES. FOR MANY YEARS, THE FRONT YARD VIOLATION OF OF 601 20 FOOT SETBACK RULE.

THIS INTRUSION, ALONG WITH THE METAL SHED INTRUSION OF SEVEN FEET IN THE ROADWAY DESCRIBED AS EASEMENT, ADVERSELY AFFECTS ROADWAY ACCESS. THE 300 PLUS SQUARE FOOT CLOSED IN WIRED PLUMBED AIR CONDITIONING PERMANENT STRUCTURE, REFERRED TO AS A METAL SHED THAT EXTENDS SIX FEET IN THE ROADWAY EASEMENT.

THIS OBSTRUCTION, BLOCKBUSTERS WANTS A CLEAR VIEW PREVENTS ANY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM CHANGING DIRECTION.

8473 ALL TRAFFIC UPS, AMAZON VISITORS, GUESTS, PROSPECTIVE BUYERS AND THE SELLERS ALL ARE FORCED TO TURN AROUND IN MY YARD.

IF THIS INTRUSION INTO THE ROADWAY IS GRANTED, I'M FORCED TO INSTALL A FENCE TO PROTECT MY YARD.

ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE FORCED TO TURN ALL THE WAY.

CANNOT RETURN. HAVE TO BACK ALL THE WAY OUT. OKAY, YOU CANNOT TURN AROUND IN A 20 FOOT SPACE IN THE EASEMENT.

YOU JUST CAN'T DO IT. NOW, THIS COMMUNITY ENJOYS A LOT OF RIVER ACTIVITIES.

THE LOTS FOUND ON PARIS PARK ROAD ARE UNIQUELY SMALL AND ZONED MOBILE HOMES.

ALL LOT LINES AND EASEMENTS ARE EASEMENTS ARE CLEARLY ACCESSIBLE.

[04:30:02]

IF YOU HEAR THE RULES ADOPTED BY SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY.

YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT A LOT MORE THAT AIN'T GOING TO BE FINISHED.

SEE, THE CLOCK IS RUNNING OUT. SO ANYWAY, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

AND I REQUEST THAT THIS THIS VARIANCE NOT BE GRANTED.

IT IS A HARDSHIP. AND I THINK WE'VE HAD TWO PEOPLE THAT'S BEEN AND ACTUALLY SEEN EVANS BEEN THERE AND, YOU KNOW MISS ARNOLD'S BEEN THERE. SO I THINK THEY HAVE FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TEN? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT.

WELL, I WANT TO GIVE MR. STRICKLAND THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.

AGAIN, IT IS A QUASI. YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME UP AND SPEAK AGAIN, SIR.

BUT I DO WANT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AGAIN IF YOU WISH TO. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN, AND I'M SO SORRY THAT I'M VERY HARD OF HEARING.

I WORKED AROUND AIRPLANES FOR 20 YEARS, AND I TELL EVERYONE I'M DEAF IN THIS EAR AND I CAN'T HEAR OUT OF THIS ONE, AND I'M HAVING A REAL HARD TIME. MR. JOHNSON AND HIS STATEMENT JUST THEN, HE TALKED VERY FAST AND I COULDN'T HEAR HIM.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT. I PICKED UP A COUPLE OF WORDS, AND ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SAID WAS TALKING ABOUT TRESPASSING.

OKAY. IT'S VERY TRUE DUE TO THE SIZE OF THESE LOTS THAT WERE IF I GO AROUND THIS CARPORT, I HAVE TO GO.

I CAN I CAN BE VERY CAREFUL AND STAY ON MY SIDE, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, HOW BIG THE EASEMENT IS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.

OKAY. I'M THE ONLY PERSON ON THE ROAD THAT HAS THAT BIG OF AN EASEMENT.

AND MR. JOHNSON MENTIONED IN THE LAST HEARING THAT THE I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT'S CALLED THE ONE THAT WAS A 3 TO 3 VOTE TO TO NOT APPROVE THE VARIANCE. YES, WHICH IT WOULD. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJORITY RULE IF EVERYBODY HAD BEEN THERE.

OKAY. AND THAT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. BUT HE HE MENTIONED THAT WE WERE TRYING TO SELL THE PROPERTY, AND THIS IS TRUE. AND THE REASON THAT WE CANNOT SELL THE PROPERTY.

EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY THAT'S COME AND LOOKED AT OUR PROPERTY HAS MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD AND THE CONDITION OF THE ADJACENT RESIDENCE TO OUR PLACE, WHICH IS NOT A RESIDENCE.

MR. JOHNSON'S OWNED IT. HE SAYS FOR 42 YEARS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT, BUT HE'S DONE NO IMPROVEMENTS ON IT IN 42 YEARS.

AND HE TALKED ABOUT TRESPASSING. I CAME HOME ON WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY OF THIS PAST WEEK AND FOUND MR. JOHNSON ON MY PROPERTY. AND WHEN HE SAW ME, HE TOOK OFF.

OKAY. BUT THEN WHEN HE THOUGHT I WAS IN THE HOUSE, HE CAME BACK AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, I JUST. I JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE GALL OF SOME PEOPLE TO THINK THAT RULES APPLY TO EVERYBODY BUT THEM.

AND I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. OKAY, WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION. YES, MA'AM. MOTION TO DENY.

THE PLANNING AND ZONING APPEAL 2020 3-02 STRICKLAND CARPORT ZONING VARIANCE 2022 DASH 24.

UPHOLDING THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY AND DENYING ZONING VARIANCE.

2022 DASH 24 BASED UPON FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION TO DENY BY COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMOS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY. PLEASE VOTE. OKAY. THE MOTION TO DENY PASSES FIVE ZERO.

[11. Public Hearing * LDCA 2023-04 - Workforce Housing, Land Development Code Amendment, Second Reading.]

WHICH IS MISS RING WORKFORCE HOUSING. HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. WHAT. MY MOTION. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS AMY RING WITH GROWTH MANAGEMENT.

I AM HERE TO PRESENT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11. THIS IS THE SECOND HEARING OF A LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT AFFECTING OUR WORKFORCE HOUSING ZONING DESIGNATION.

SO THIS OUR WORKFORCE HOUSING ZONING DESIGNATION WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2020.

AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS ZONING DISTRICT IS TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MIXTURE OF HOUSING TYPES AFFORDABLE TO LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS DEVELOPMENTS, PROVIDING A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF OVERALL UNITS AS WORKFORCE HOUSING ARE ELIGIBLE TO UTILIZE FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND INCREASED DENSITY WITHIN FUTURE LAND USES.

THESE REGULATIONS ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, MAKE PROVISION OF WORKFORCE HOUSING ECONOMICALLY VIABLE, WHILE ASSURING AFFORDABILITY TO LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH MULTIPLE PUBLIC MEETINGS.

[04:35:04]

AND I'D LIKE TO SHOW A TABLE TO ILLUSTRATE WHAT'S PROPOSED IN THE AMENDMENT.

SO FIRST IS THE REQUIRED PERCENTAGE OF WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS.

CURRENTLY THAT IS AT 40%. HOWEVER, AT THE JUNE 6TH MEETING, THE BOARD WILL PROBABLY RECALL VOTING TO APPROVE ADOPTION OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT, WHICH CHANGED THIS TO 30% IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

SO THE THE PERCENTAGE DOES NEED TO CHANGE IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AS WELL.

CURRENTLY, THE MAXIMUM INITIAL SALES PRICE OF WORKFORCE HOUSING IS $240,000.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ADJUST THAT TO $260,000.

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER. OR THE BOARD IN OCTOBER DID HEAR FROM THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, WHICH ORIGINALLY PROPOSED THESE CHANGES, CITING RISING CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND INCREASED IMPACT FEES.

AT THAT TIME, THEY PROPOSED 270,000 AS THE MAXIMUM INITIAL SALES PRICE, AND THE BOARD BASICALLY CAME TO $260,000 AS A COMPROMISE TO THAT. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO RENTAL OR RENTAL REGULATIONS IN OUR REGULATION, AND THERE ARE NO RENTAL UNITS INCLUDED IN OUR REGULATIONS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING.

THAT CHANGES IN THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT. IT ADDS A FIVE YEAR DEED RESTRICTION LIMITING RENT TO NO MORE THAN 90% OF AMI, OR SPECIFICALLY NO MORE THAN 10% HIGHER THAN THE RENT LIMITS.

NOT INCLUSIVE OF UTILITIES ESTABLISHED ANNUALLY BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

SHIP PROGRAM FOR THE 80% OF AMI. FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS FOR SALE.

THE DEED RESTRICTION CURRENTLY ENDS AT THE INITIAL SALE, AND THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE EXTENDS THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE HOME BE OWNER OCCUPIED TO TWO YEARS, AND IT ALSO LIMITS THE SALES PRICE OF THE HOME TO THE MAXIMUM INITIAL SALES PRICE DURING THAT TIME.

THE AMENDMENT DOES INCREASE SOME FLEXIBILITY STANDARDS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT REDUCES LOT SIZE FOR SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS BY 500FT² AND FOR DUPLEX AND TOWNHOMES BY 100FT².

CURRENTLY, THE TIME THAT'S ALLOWED TO PASS BETWEEN THE TIME THAT THE LAND IS ZONED TO WORKFORCE HOUSING, TO THE TIME THE CONSTRUCTION COMMENCEMENT COMMENCES, THAT'S TWO YEARS.

CURRENTLY, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT CHANGES THAT TO THREE YEARS, SO IT ADDS A YEAR.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE A DEFINITION FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING HOUR.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ADDS RENTALS TO THAT DEFINITION, AND IT ALSO INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL DEFINITION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THOSE ARE AS LISTED. BASICALLY, THE DEFINITION FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING SIMPLY ADDS THE WORDS OR RENTED TO THE DEFINITION.

THE DEFINITION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THE SAME AS WAS PRESENTED AT THE LAST BCC MEETING.

SO HERE ARE THE MOTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE BOARD TODAY.

THE FIRST IS, OF COURSE TO APPROVE THE MOTION.

SECOND IS TO APPROVE IT WITH MODIFICATIONS TO THE LANGUAGE.

AND THE THIRD IS TO DENY IT. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU, MR. RING, FOR THE PRESENTATION. ONCE AGAIN, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

OKAY. SO LET ME CAN I REITERATE, MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE WORKFORCE CAN'T AFFORD $260,000 AND THE RENTAL RATE IS IS IF I'M LOOKING AT THE RENTAL RATE.

I'VE MET WITH CHRISTINE ON THIS, AND AT 90% AM I, THAT'S 14, $1,500 A MONTH, WHICH AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO BE MAKING PROBABLY OVER 60 OR 70,000 A YEAR, WHICH AGAIN, NURSES AND FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN ARE MAKING AROUND 50.

SO UNLESS OF COURSE, THEY'RE MARRIED OR THEY FIND A PARTNER.

SO I DON'T KNOW. YOU KNOW, I HAD THREE REVISIONS THAT I, I GAVE TO THE BOARD MEMBERS, AND I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD GO OVER THEM WITH HER OR JUST WAIT TILL AFTER THE PRESENTATION OR AFTER WHICH IT'S YOUR.

SHOULD WE TALK ABOUT IT NOW? I THINK IF YOU WANT TO PRESENT THEM TO THE BOARD NOW FOR OUR CONSIDERATION, THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. OKAY, GREAT. WELL, LET ME SAY COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, I'VE REVIEWED AND YOUR, YOUR THREE SUGGESTIONS AND I FULLY SUPPORT THEM.

AND I WAS PREPARED IF AND WHEN IT'S TIME TO TRY ANOTHER MOTION TO INCLUDE THOSE THREE RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE CAN DISCUSS THEM. WE CAN WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO.

BUT I'M FULLY UNDERSTANDING OF THE THREE, AND I'M PREPARED TO MOVE THEM AS PART OF THE OVERALL MOTION.

ALL RIGHT. DO YOU WANT TO PUT THOSE UP ON THE SCREEN? DISCUSS THEM. THANK YOU.

AND I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS ONE. GO AHEAD CHRISTINE, IF YOU WANT TO DESCRIBE THEM.

THANK YOU. SURE. SO THIS IS THE FIRST REVISION, WHICH IS A CHANGE TO THE DEFINITION OF MAXIMUM RENTAL RATE.

[04:40:07]

THANK YOU. CHRISTINE. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, WE HAVE COMMISSIONERS WHO WANT TO ENGAGE IN THIS CONVERSATION. EXCELLENT. PLEASE GO IN THE ORDER THAT I. PLEASE, COMMISSIONER. OH, NO.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I JUST HAD A QUESTION, HONESTLY, ABOUT THE ABOUT THE PROCESS.

I MEAN, IF WE ADOPT THESE CHANGES, THEN IT HAS TO GO BACK BEFORE PCA AGAIN WITH THESE CHANGES TO BE APPROVED.

AND THEN HOW DOES THAT PROCESS WORK? NO, IT'S NOT REQUIRED.

ALL OF THESE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE TITLE OF THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS ADVERTISED.

THEY DON'T EXCEED WHAT WAS ADVERTISED OR DISCUSSED.

IT'S ALWAYS UP TO THE BOARD'S DISCRETION IF THEY FEEL CHANGES SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY PCA TO SEND IT BACK DOWN.

IN GENERAL. ARNOLD, THE COMMENTS I WANTED TO MAKE WERE NOT ON THIS EDITION.

YEAH, THEY'RE ON THEIR OWN. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PERCENTAGE OF AMI THAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO SEE? I MEAN, MAYBE 70 OR 80%? IS THERE ANY WAY TO DO THAT? 70 WOULD BE I'M COMFORTABLE WITH 70 OR 80 OR 90.

BUT I MEAN, SO I'M I'M COMFORTABLE WITH 70. ALL RIGHT.

WELL I'M COMFORTABLE TOO WITH 70. OKAY. SECOND PAGE.

SO THE RENT WOULD NOT INCREASE FOR TWO YEARS, WHICH, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEONE IS HAVING A HARD TIME, IT USUALLY TAKES A COUPLE OF YEARS TO GET BACK ON YOUR FEET. MAYBE DIVORCED SINGLE MOM OR DAD AND YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY BY TWO YEARS THEY CAN BEFORE THEY, YOU KNOW, THE RENT GOES UP ON THEM.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THAT. OR SHOULD IT BE THREE YEARS? OR ANY COMMENTS? OR OFFERED FOR RENT OR FOR SALE? ARE WE ON THE FOR RENT OR SALE? ELSE FOR RENT.

RIGHT. THIS IS THE RENTAL. YES. YEAH. YEAH. IS THAT OKAY? WELL I'M LOOKING AT NUMBER TWO AND I'M READING THE THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHT AND I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT IF THAT'S WHAT WE'RE COMMENTING ON OKAY.

IN REVISION THREE IS FOR BOTH RENTAL AND FOR SALE.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY. ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND WE SHOULD ALSO HELP US IN THE FUTURE TO SEE IF THIS IS WORKING.

AND IF IT'S NOT WORKING, THEN WE CAN READJUST IT AGAIN.

COULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU WERE THINKING? SURE.

SO THIS IS A DEMOGRAPHIC REPORTING REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SOME FEEDBACK INFORMATION TO HOW THE WORKFORCE HOUSING ZONING IS WORKING. WITH THE FOR SALE PRODUCTS, THE DEVELOPER WOULD REPORT ANNUALLY HOW MANY WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS WERE SOLD, THE SALES PRICE AND WHETHER ANY OF THOSE RESIDENTS ARE EMPLOYED IN ONE OF THE DESIGNATED CLASSIFICATIONS BEING LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDER, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, HEALTHCARE, OR HOSPITALITY.

THAT REPORTING WOULD BE A REQUIREMENT UNTIL THE WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS ARE SOLD FOR THE RENTAL PRODUCT.

A SIMILAR CONCEPT. THE PROPERTY OWNER MANAGER OF THAT PRODUCT WOULD ANNUALLY REPORT THE SAME INFORMATION UNTIL SIX YEARS AFTER THE LAST UNIT RECEIVES A KO. AND THAT'S IT. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

YES. THANK YOU. CHRISTINE. YOU AND I HAD DISCUSSED THIS IN MY BRIEFING.

THIS IS JUST INFORMATION GATHERING. MY CONCERN IS THAT BY US LABELING EACH INDIVIDUAL PROFESSION, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT EXCLUDING ANYBODY WHO MAY WORK FOR SOME PLACE DIFFERENT THAN THAN IS NOT LISTED.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET INTO ANY SORT OF LEGAL SNAFU THERE, BECAUSE I CAN THINK OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS WHOSE INCOME LEVELS SLIDE RIGHT INTO WORKFORCE, BUT ARE NOT NECESSARILY JUST LABELED RIGHT HERE.

SO IF IT'S FOR REPORTING ONLY, THAT'S ONE THING.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT ONLY THAT WE'RE NOT LIMITING WHO CAN APPLY FOR THESE HOUSES? THAT IS CORRECT. IT'S FOR DEMOGRAPHIC REPORTING INFORMATION ONLY.

IT IS NOT A REGULATORY REQUIREMENT TO ONLY SELL OR RENT TO FOLKS EMPLOYED IN THESE PROFESSIONS.

IS THIS LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE? IT'S A YES. IT'S A REPORT, JUST A INFORMATIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

IT'S NOTHING THAT RUNS AFOUL OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT.

AWESOME. OKAY, SURE. BUT AGAIN, IT ALLOWS US TO LOOK AT IT.

AND IF WE WANT TO READJUST IT DOWN THE ROAD, UP OR DOWN, WE HAVE THAT ABILITY BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE SOME ACTUAL DATA.

[04:45:04]

I CAN ASSIST WITH ANY OF THESE THREE OPTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE.

YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. WHAT'S YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT? AT THIS TIME? THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11.

GOOD AFTERNOON. WELL, LET ME BACK IT UP.

OH, HERE WE GO. MY NAME IS JUDY SPIEGEL. I LIVE AT 101 GREENWILLOW LANE.

I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

I'M ALL FOR ANY ACCOUNTABILITY AND ANY GATHERING OF ACTUAL FACTS.

I KNOW WHEN WE HAD OUR MEETINGS LAST WEEK WITH THE COMMISSIONERS, WE DID HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE A LITTLE BIT WITH SEVERAL OF YOU, AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE LOSING SLEEP OVER IT. IT'S A PART OF YOUR YOUR PASSION AND YOUR HEARTS OF COMPASSION FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK IT'S HUGE AND IT REALLY DOES NEED TO WORK.

AND IF THIS WAS JUST STARTED IN 2020, THIS IS THE TIME TO MOLD IT AND SHAPE IT AND TO TO MAKE SOME CHANGES.

SO I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT MAYBE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

MAYBE NOT A NUMBER CAP AT A PERCENTAGE CAP ON THE PRICE.

AND I KNOW THAT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD MAKE THE DEVELOPERS SQUIRM OR SMILE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE NEVER KNOW IF PRICES ARE GOING TO BE GOING UP OR DOWN AND HOPEFULLY THE ECONOMY WILL SETTLE ITSELF DOWN.

WHO KNOWS? BUT ANYWAY, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I SUPPORT THESE CHANGES AND ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP THESE PEOPLE GET A PLACE TO LIVE.

I'M ALL FOR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON. AUSTIN NICKLAUS, 6747 SOUTH POINTE PARKWAY IN JACKSONVILLE.

JUST HERE, ON BEHALF OF THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE, INCLUDING STAFF AND OBVIOUSLY THE COMMISSIONERS, FOR ALL THEIR WORK ON THIS. I KNOW IT HASN'T BEEN AN EASY PROCESS MOVING THROUGH THIS, AND WE JUST REALLY APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH US ON THIS BECAUSE WE THINK AS YOU DO, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. AND I THINK THIS IS A STEP, AS COMMISSIONER DEAN HAS SAID, IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT DOESN'T FIX EVERYTHING. THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE MORE WE NEED TO DO PARTICULARLY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BUT AGAIN, WE JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AND AND STAFF AND AMY AS WELL, DID A GREAT JOB.

SO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE, BUT THANKS AGAIN.

THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. BOB PORTER, 4220 RACETRACK ROAD.

AS AUSTIN SAID, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY. I THINK EVERYBODY HERE CARES ABOUT THE WORKFORCE HOUSING AND I APPRECIATE IT.

QUICK UPDATE WE HAVE AT THIS POINT IN OUR RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY, WE HAVE 24 WORKFORCE UNITS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE DRYWALL IS GOING UP AND THE ONES THAT ARE FARTHEST ALONG, WE WILL IF THIS PASSES TODAY, WE WILL RECORD A DEED RESTRICTION AND WE'LL START OFFERING THESE FOR SALE, HOPEFULLY BY THE WEEKEND TO FIRST RESPONDERS, INITIALLY FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN IN GENERAL AFTER THAT.

BUT WE'LL ALSO RECORD ONE FOR STOKES LANDING AND AND HOPEFULLY NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE PULLING CLEARANCE SHEETS AND GETTING STARTED THERE.

AND AND WE'VE GOT OUR CORDERO PROJECT OVER ON 207 UNDERWAY.

SO A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON, AND I KNOW EVERYBODY WONDERED HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE, BUT HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE SELLING SOME THIS WEEKEND IF WE'RE LUCKY.

SO I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S HELP. I DON'T KNOW THE RENTAL BUSINESS WELL ENOUGH TO KNOW IF THIS WORKS FOR EVERYBODY, AND THE FOLKS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH US ON. RENTALS ARE NOT HERE TODAY.

BUT I THINK THIS IS A GREAT FIRST STEP. IF WE FIND THAT THERE'S SOMETHING HERE THAT JUST DOESN'T WORK, OBVIOUSLY WE'LL BE BACK IN TOUCH, AND WE'RE PLANNING ON WORKING WITH THE CHAMBER TO SEE IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING WHICH WILL REQUIRE MORE HELP FROM THE COUNTY, OBVIOUSLY, TO TRY AND REACH SOME OF THOSE MOTORHOMES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON.

SUZANNE CLULOW, 109 LAURELWOOD WAY, UNIT 10232086.

WELL, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME GETTING HERE, BUT WE FINALLY LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GETTING THIS NAILED DOWN.

AS FOR THE SPECIFICS, IT WAS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO READ THAT SCREEN.

IT'S MUCH EASIER UP HERE. I MIGHT I MIGHT NEED TO GET AN EYE DOCTOR APPOINTMENT, BUT I'M STILL A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT WHO QUALIFIES FOR THIS. I AT THE BEGINNING I SORT OF THOUGHT I HEARD THAT AS LONG AS YOU FIT INTO THE INCOME REQUIREMENTS AND THEN WITH THESE RENTALS, IF IT'S LIKE ONE THIRD OF YOUR INCOME OR LESS THAT YOU'RE SPENDING, THAT IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DID FOR A LIVING OR DIDN'T DO FOR A LIVING.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU WERE RETIRED LIKE I AM ON FIXED INCOME, AND NOW LATER IN THE DISCUSSION,

[04:50:03]

I'M NOT REAL SURE ABOUT WHO IT'S FOR. REGARDLESS, I'M FOR IT.

BUT I THINK THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CAN QUALIFY, THE BETTER.

I'M ALSO NOT SURE ABOUT THE IT CAN THE PERCENTAGE SAY IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD A DEVELOPMENT AND YOU'RE SETTING ASIDE. I THINK ONE WAS 50. THEY'RE GOING TO SET ASIDE 50 LOTS.

SO IT'S NOT THE ENTIRE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S WORKFORCE HOUSING, EVEN THOUGH IT FALLS WITHIN THAT ZONING DESIGNATION.

IT'S IT'S EITHER A PERCENTAGE OR SO MANY UNITS THAT THEY ARE COMMITTING TO GIVE TO THE PROGRAM.

I, I'M SEEING A NOD. SO I'M, I THINK I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK HERE.

OKAY. WELL, I'M ABSOLUTELY FOR IT. I THINK WE DO HAVE TO JUST GET SOMETHING ROLLING HERE AND SEE HOW IT WORKS.

AND THEN EACH YEAR, MAYBE REVISIT AND LOOK AT SOME HARD FIGURES AS TO WHERE WE'RE GOING, BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT TAKES ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO TWO YEARS TO ACTUALLY SEE A UNIT THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE DOOR AND OWN.

I HAVE SOME OTHER THINGS IN TERMS OF HOUSING FOR SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY.

BUT I'M GOING TO SAVE THAT FOR THE END BECAUSE IT REALLY ISN'T JUST WORKFORCE.

IT'S FOR EVERYTHING. AND I'LL GET THREE MINUTES THEN.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM.

GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, DORIS TAYLOR, 208 LOBELIA ROAD.

I HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DISJOINTED THINGS.

FIRST, CERTAINLY WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO, YOU KNOW, IS VALID AND WONDERFUL.

BUT I HAVE SOME CONCERNS. ONE IS THE LANGUAGE.

WORKFORCE HOUSING, LOW INCOME HOUSING. SAYING HIGH DENSITY HOUSING WORKFORCE HAS TO DO WITH WHO IT'S FOR, BUT IT DOESN'T DESCRIBE WHAT IT IS. HIGH DENSITY IS WHAT IT IS.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S CHEAPER TO BUILD HIGH DENSITY HOUSING.

AND DEVELOPERS LIKE TO BUILD HIGH DENSITY HOUSING, AND IT'S USUALLY QUITE PROFITABLE FOR THEM, IN SPITE OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE WANT YOU TO BELIEVE.

AND THAT LEADS ME TO MY CONCERN THAT IT'S THE BUILDERS THAT WROTE THIS.

THEY HANDED IT TO YOU. YOU USED. YOU USED THE RED LINE BUILDERS.

THEY WROTE IT FOR SOMETHING THAT'S GOOD FOR THEM.

THAT HAS EXTRA SPECIAL ADVANTAGES FOR THEM. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE COST SIDE.

ALL OF THIS CONVERSATION IS ABOUT WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST THE CONSUMER.

CERTAINLY, THAT'S THE DRIVING FORCE IT'S ESSENTIAL TO BE LOOKING AT IT, BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY THING WE NEED TO REALLY TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE DEVELOPERS, WHAT THEIR COSTS ARE AND IF THEIR COSTS.

I LOOKED AT A JOB COST PROGRAM. I USED TO DO JOB COSTING IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, SO I PULLED UP A JOB COST PROGRAM, AND THE AVERAGE COSTS FOR DEVELOPERS TO BUILD HIGH DENSITY HOUSING OF THIS SORT IS LESS THAN HALF THE NUMBERS THAT I'M BEING TOLD THAT YOU GUYS ARE, THAT THE DEVELOPERS HERE SAY THAT THEY'RE COSTING HERE.

WHY? WE NEED A REAL SOLID ANSWER WITH SPECIFICS AS TO WHY THE DIFFERENCE? BECAUSE THAT'S MASSIVE. AND IT MAY ACTUALLY BE OUR FAULT.

OUR FAULT? THE COUNTY'S FAULT. THE PEOPLE WRITING THE RULES.

WE MAY REQUIRE THEM TO DO THINGS THAT ARE THAT ARE UNREASONABLE.

SO LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE, PLEASE. BECAUSE WHEN YOU DON'T, YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE THE PEOPLE BUYING THE HOUSES LOWER COSTS. YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE SPECIAL DISPENSATION TO THE BUILDERS.

WHO'S GOING TO PAY THE PRICE? ME? THE TAXPAYER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NO THANK YOU. SO LET'S LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE.

THANK YOU. OH, AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT RENT CONTROL.

RENT CONTROL GETS ABUSED EVERY TIME IT'S DONE.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO RENT CONTROL, TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11? SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD.

[04:55:03]

COMMISSIONER DEANE, I'LL START WITH A SHORT STORY.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IN WEST TEXAS AND ONLY ABOUT TEN YEARS OLD, I GOT UP ON A FRISKY COLT.

AND WITHIN A MINUTE OR A SECOND AND A HALF, I WAS ON MY BACK.

YOU KNOW WHAT I DID? I GOT UP AND GOT ON THAT DARN HORSE AGAIN.

WITH THAT IN MIND, I'M GOING TO TRY ANOTHER MOTION.

I WANT A LOT OF HELP NOW. A LOT OF MORAL SUPPORT.

OKAY, LET ME PREFACE THAT, KRISTINE, BY SAYING THAT I WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION IN OUR BOOK ITEM 11.

I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION. THE SECOND MOTION, WHICH WILL BE WITH FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS.

AND I'VE GOT THE MODIFICATIONS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW THAT YOU PROVIDED.

AND WE JUST AND I JUST AGREED TO A 70% NUMBER ON THE FIRST.

SO I SHALL READ THE MOTION. DO I NEED TO READ THE HIGHLIGHTS INTO THE OF THE RECORD OR DO YOU HANDLE THAT? NO, I THINK YOU CAN JUST REFER TO THEM AS THE CHANGES PRESENTED ON THE OVERHEAD FOR REVISIONS ONE, TWO AND THREE WITH 70%. OKAY. LET'S TRY IT. SO I WILL MOVE TO ENACT ORDINANCE 20 2324, APPROVING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKFORCE HOUSING PROVISIONS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE WITH THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS.

AND THE FIRST MODIFICATION IS ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE HANDOUT UNDER MAXIMUM RENTAL RATE AND THE MAXIMUM RENTAL RATES WILL BE NO MORE THAN 70%. YES. SO WE ALL KNOW WHAT I'M READING FROM.

YES, SIR. ALL RIGHT. NEXT ONE. THIS IS BASICALLY A REVISION TO NO RENT INCREASE FOR SECOND YEAR LEASE.

AND THAT'S THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHT UNDER TWO POINT A.

YES. AND THEN NUMBER THREE IS THE ANNUAL REPORTING OF DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, AND THAT'S UNDER A1E THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS AND TWO D THERE'S A SECOND 2 TO 2 D YES.

ON THE LAST PAGE. CORRECT. ALL RIGHT. WE GOT THAT.

LAWYERS, STAFF, THE WORLD SECONDS WITH US. THAT'S MY MOTION.

CAN I SECOND IT? I THINK YOU JUST DID. YES, MA'AM.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION, MISS VALLIERE? YES, WE HAVE A MOTION.

OKAY. AND WE HAVE A SECOND. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD? OKAY. PLEASE VOTE. OH, MY GOD, IT'S FIVE ZERO.

HOW ABOUT THAT? CONGRATULATIONS. WELL DONE. IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, THANK YOU ENOUGH.

THANK YOU. TO THE CHAMBER. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO HAD A HAND IN THIS.

OBVIOUSLY IT WILL BE A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, BUT AT LEAST WE HAVE ONE FOR THE NEXT YEAR, RIGHT? WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO TAKE THIS UP EVERY MEETING.

IT WOULDN'T BE A BAD IDEA. AS FAST AS THINGS CHANGE.

MAKE SOME CHANGES. ALL RIGHT. WE ARE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 12.

[12. Public Hearing * Public Hearing and Adoption of Final Schedule of Water, Wastewater, and Reclaimed Water Rates, Deposits, Charges, Fees, and Costs for Fiscal Year 2023 for the Main and Ponte Vedra Systems.]

HOW ARE YOU? GOOD AFTERNOON, COLIN GROFF, DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES.

I'M REALLY GLAD TO BE HERE. IT'S IT'S VERY RARE IN OUR BUSINESS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE OFFERING TO YOU ALL TO MAKE A DECISION FOR TODAY.

DOING THIS A LONG TIME, WE'VE ONLY HAD. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS. AND I HAVE PLENTY OF PEERS THAT HAVE NEVER DONE IT, SO WE'RE REAL GLAD TO BE HERE.

OH, LET ME FIND MY LITTLE BUTTON HERE. SO WE STARTED LOOKING IN DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR.

WE STARTED LOOKING AT OUR COSTS AND OUR WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF EFFICIENCY WORK IN THE UTILITY TO MAKE, MAKE OURSELVES A LITTLE BIT MORE EFFICIENT AND HOW WE PROVIDE SERVICES. SO WE WENT TO OUR TO OUR CONSULTANTS IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY OF THIS YEAR AND SAID, LET'S LOOK AT OUR RATES, AND OUR RATES ARE ADEQUATE FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING.

OR DO WE NEED TO DO SOME ADJUSTMENTS? AND THEY CAME BACK WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS. AND WHAT THEY DID IS THEY LOOKED AT OUR SYSTEM, AND THEY'RE RECOMMENDING A RATE REDUCTION OF 3% ACROSS ALL OF OUR MAIN SYSTEM RATES, WHICH IS, LIKE I SAID, RARE.

VERY RARELY DO UTILITIES WANT TO REDUCE RATES. SO THEY'RE RECOMMENDING A 3% RATE REDUCTION.

THE OTHER THING THEY'RE RECOMMENDING IS IS OUR RATES.

WE HAVE SEPARATE RATES FOR POINT OF VIEW AND THE MAIN SYSTEM. AND THEY AND FOR YEARS THEY'VE BEEN RECOMMENDING WE NEED TO EQUALIZE THOSE RATES. IT'S BEEN NEEDED FOR YEARS.

AND SO THEY'RE RECOMMENDING THAT ALSO THAT WE EQUALIZE THOSE RATES. THEY ALSO LOOKED AT THE TOP TIER RATE FOR WATER, THE WATER CONSERVATION RATES, THE TOP TIER RATE, AND SAID THAT'S GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT TOO HIGH.

SO THEY'RE RECOMMENDING ABOUT AN 8.5% REDUCTION IN THAT TOP TIER.

SO ALL OF THESE TOGETHER IS A RATE REDUCTION AND A RATE EQUALIZATION THAT WE'RE OFFERING TODAY FOR Y'ALL'S CONSIDERATION.

JUST A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE POINT OF VEDRA. I'LL GO THROUGH THIS REALLY QUICK.

THE COUNTY BOUGHT TWO UTILITIES IN PONTEVEDRA IN 2006, 2007.

[05:00:03]

SOME ARE PAYING HIGHER AND ONE IS HIGHER THAN THE OTHER. SO SO THAT'S WHY WE DO IT.

IN 2016 THEY ACTUALLY CONSOLIDATED THE FINANCIAL REPORTING BETWEEN THE TWO UTILITIES.

IT WAS ACTUALLY TWO SEPARATE UTILITIES FOR A WHILE. AND THEN IN 2022 WE ACTUALLY CONSOLIDATED ALL THE FUNDS.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT WAS IS PONTEVEDRA RATES WEREN'T QUITE SUPPORTING THE PORT OF ENTRY AREA, SO WE HAD TO WE CONSOLIDATED THE FUNDS. SO EVERYBODY PAYING AND NOW WE'RE TO THE POINT WHERE WE NEED TO EQUALIZE THOSE RATES AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY PAYS THE SAME FOR THE SERVICES AT THE COST. THE SERVICES COST THE COUNTY BECAUSE THIS IS A NONPROFIT, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO MAKE A PROFIT.

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO CHARGE WHAT IT COSTS US.

SO IMPORTANT SHEET. THIS IS THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAIN SYSTEM RATES, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT FROM THE FROM THE 2023, RATES ON WATER RATES WERE RECOMMENDED TO STRAIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD, 3% DECREASE IN THE BASE RATE IN THE FIRST THREE TIERS OF RATES AND WATER, AND THEN AN 8.5% DECREASE IN IN THE LAST YEAR FOR THE WATER, AND THEN A 3% ON ALSO THE BASE RATE AND THE AND THE SEWER RATE ACROSS THE CITY.

SO IT'S A 3% RATE DECREASE IN PONTE VEDRA. AGAIN, WE'RE RECOMMENDING EQUALIZING THOSE RATES.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN PONTE VEDRA THE WASTEWATER IS ACTUALLY BASE RATE IS ACTUALLY ABOUT TWICE AS HIGH AS WHAT THE MAIN SYSTEM IS.

SO THEY WERE PAYING A LOT MORE FOR WASTEWATER AND A LOT LESS FOR WATER.

SO EQUALIZING THAT SAME THING IN WATER, THE, THE THE BASE RATE IN WATER WAS HIGHER THAN THE MAIN SYSTEM, BUT WHERE THE DIFFERENCE WAS WAS IN THE CONSUMPTION USE AND THE CONSUMPTION, OF COURSE, THE BASE RATE PAYS FOR ALL THE PIPES IN THE GROUND, THE PLANTS AND ALL OF THAT. THE CONSUMPTION PAYS FOR WHAT IT COSTS TO PRODUCE THE WATER AND TAKE THE WASTEWATER IN AND TREAT IT.

SO THOSE RATES WERE ABOUT HALF ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO EQUALIZING THOSE MOVES THOSE RATES UP. AND OVERALL IT'S AGAIN IT'S IT'S A 3% REDUCTION ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND THEN AN EQUALIZATION OF THE POINT OF VIEW RATES.

WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE REVENUE. IT DOESN'T IT SHOWS THAT WE'LL REDUCE OUR REVENUE BY ABOUT 0.2%, WHICH IS PERFECTLY FINE FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE WE ARE BASICALLY COLLECTING 0.2 PERCENT MORE THAN WE NEED RIGHT NOW.

SO BY REDUCING IT, WE'RE COLLECTING WHAT WE NEED FOR THE UTILITY.

THIS IS REALLY THE IMPORTANT SLIDE. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? MEANS IN THE MAIN SYSTEM, 5000 GALLONS IS THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER.

THAT'S WHAT AVERAGE CUSTOMER WITHOUT IRRIGATION THAT DOESN'T IRRIGATE THEIR YARD WITH DRINKING WATER, THEY USE ABOUT 5000 GALLONS A MONTH. AND THAT'S A REDUCTION FROM 79 TO $77, ABOUT $2 A MONTH REDUCTION.

SAME THING IN PONTE VEDRA BECAUSE PONTE VEDRA, WHEN YOU'RE USING THE LESS WATER, YOU'RE ALSO PAYING ABOUT THE SAME AS MAIN MAIN.

AND THOSE ARE CUSTOMERS THAT REALLY DON'T HAVE USING IRRIGATION THROUGH THEIR WATER METER. THE LARGER CUSTOMERS WE CONSIDER 9000 GALLONS A DAY IS OUR AVERAGE CUSTOMER THAT IRRIGATES THEIR LAWN. THAT'S AVERAGE. NOW THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT USE A LOT MORE AND THERE'S PEOPLE THAT USE LESS, BUT THAT'S AN AVERAGE ACROSS ALL OF OUR CUSTOMER BASE.

SO WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THEIR THE MAIN SYSTEM, PEOPLE WILL SEE A REDUCTION IN THEIR RATES BY ABOUT $4 A MONTH.

PONTE VEDRA THOUGH UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE THEY ARE PAYING LESS RIGHT NOW, IF YOU'RE USING WATER FOR IRRIGATION, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A RATE INCREASE. AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE.

SO OUT OF ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS, I JUST TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS.

WE HAVE ABOUT 54,000 CUSTOMERS. ABOUT 90% OF THOSE ARE ABOUT 40.

LET'S SEE, DOING MATH IN MY HEAD, ABOUT 50,000.

I'M JUST GOING TO USE ROUND NUMBERS. IT'S EASIER. ABOUT 50,000 CUSTOMERS WILL SEE A RATE DECREASE ACROSS OUR SYSTEM, AND THE REST OF THEM WILL SEE EITHER THE SAME RATES.

IF THEY USE THE SAME EXACT AMOUNT OF WATER, THEY'LL USE THE SAME RATES, OR THE BILL WILL BE THE SAME.

IT'S NOT THE RATES, THE BILL WILL BE THE BE THE SAME. AND IF THEY'RE USING WHAT WE CONSIDER A HIGHER LEVEL OF WATER USAGE FOR IRRIGATION, THEY'RE GOING TO SEE THEIR BILL GO UP. AND THAT'S ABOUT 4500 OF OUR CUSTOMERS.

OUT OF THE 54,000 CUSTOMERS, WE'LL SEE THEIR RATES, THEIR BILL GO UP A LITTLE BIT.

SO SINCE WE KNEW THAT IN POINT OF VIEW, SOME PEOPLE ARE USING MORE WATER OUT THERE IN SOME CASES BECAUSE THEY IRRIGATE WITH IT.

WE HAD SOME PUBLIC MEETINGS UP IN PONTE VEDRA. WE WE HAD BOTH ONE IN THE MORNING AND ONE IN THE EVENING.

SO EVERYBODY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT AND TALK TO US.

WE'VE HAD PHONE CALLS. WE TRIED TO GET INFORMATION OUT IN WRITING.

WE'VE SENT LETTERS TO ALL OF THE CUSTOMERS NOTIFYING THEM AND IN MOST CASES, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE TALKED TO US, THE RATES WERE ACTUALLY GOING DOWN. THEY WERE A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT WAS BEING OFFERED AND THE RATES WERE GOING UP. BUT THAT'S NOT TO SAY THERE'S NOT. THERE ARE THERE ARE ABOUT 25 TO 2000 500 TO 3000 CUSTOMERS IN PONTE VEDRA.

IF THEY DO NOT CHANGE THEIR USAGE, IF THEY LEAVE THEIR USAGE JUST LIKE IT IS, THEIR THERE.

THEIR BILL WILL GO UP BASED ON THIS CHANGE. I JUST WANTED TO SHOW REAL QUICK.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHEN WE SAY THAT WE HAVE CUSTOMERS, THE CUSTOMERS ARE GOING TO SEE THE RATE INCREASES.

THE CUSTOMERS ARE USING MORE THAN 10 TO 12,000 GALLONS A MONTH.

[05:05:04]

I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHERE THEY ARE, BUT THERE ARE TWO HOUSES THAT ARE BASICALLY THE SAME SIZE. ONE'S USING ABOUT 50,000 GALLONS A MONTH, THE OTHER ONE'S USING ABOUT 25,000 GALLONS A MONTH. THEY'RE BOTH GOING TO SEE RATE INCREASES, THE ONE USING 50,000 GALLONS A MONTH.

IF THEY WANT TO SEE A DECREASE, THEY CAN REDUCE 15,000 GALLONS A MONTH.

SO AND THESE HOUSES ARE NEXT DOOR TO EACH OTHER.

THE LANDSCAPING IS THE SAME. THE SIZE IS THE SAME. THEY BOTH HAVE POOLS. THEY BOTH HAVE THINGS.

SO THERE WILL BE CHANGES. THEY WILL SEE IT. BUT PEOPLE CAN CONTROL WHAT THEY WANT TO PAY BY REDUCING IT AND GOING BACK DOWN TO THE RECOMMENDED VALUES.

WE HAVE A PUBLIC OUTREACH SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE WHO, IF THEY IN POINT OF VIEW, IF THEY'RE IN ONE OF THESE HIGH WATER USAGE, WE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TOOLS TO HELP THEM LOWER THEIR WATER USAGE GENERALLY.

MOST OF THIS IS BECAUSE THEY'VE SET THEIR IRRIGATION METERS TO EITHER IRRIGATE EVERY DAY, OR 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK.

THEY'RE IRRIGATING TOO LONG, THEY'RE PUTTING TOO MUCH WATER OUT AND BUY JUST SOME SLIGHT CHANGES.

THEY CAN ACTUALLY KEEP THEIR BILL EXACTLY WHERE IT IS NOW OR ACTUALLY REDUCE IT.

AND WE OFFER THOSE SERVICES. WE GO OUT AND WORK WITH PEOPLE TO TRY TO HELP THEM DO THAT.

SO WITH THAT, I DON'T HAVE MY I SHOULD HAVE PUT WHAT THE EMOTIONS WERE.

I DID NOT PUT THAT IN HERE, SO I APOLOGIZE. BUT WITH THAT I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR ANY PUBLIC COMMENT.

THANK YOU, MR. GROFF, FOR THE PRESENTATION. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

SO SINCE PONTE VEDRA IS SORT OF MY AREA, I HAVE HEARD FROM SOME SOME PEOPLE ABOUT IT, BUT CAN YOU JUST POINT OUT AGAIN THAT THE REASON WHY THE PEOPLE ARE IRRIGATING EVERY DAY OR OR THREE TIMES A WEEK IS NOT BECAUSE OF THEM, BUT BECAUSE OF YEAH, A LOT OF CASES, WHAT WE FIND IS, IS WHEN WE GO OUT AND PEOPLE SAY, HEY, WE'RE USING A LOT OF WATER, WHY DON'T WE GO OUT AND LOOK WHAT WE FIND IS THERE.

THERE ARE IRRIGATION. TIMERS ARE SET 4 OR 5 DAYS A WEEK, SIX DAYS A WEEK THAT SOMEBODY JUST SET IT AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW BECAUSE THEY THEY IRRIGATE AT NIGHT. SO EVERYBODY'S SLEEPING. THEY DON'T KNOW. AND WE CAN GO OUT THERE AND MAKE A SLIGHT CHANGE. THE LAW BASICALLY SAYS YOU'RE ONLY ALLOWED TO IRRIGATE TWICE A WEEK. THAT'S WHAT THE LAW SAYS. BUT WE DON'T REALLY IT'S NOT TOTALLY ENFORCED ALL THE TIME.

SO BY JUST MAKING SOME SLIGHT CHANGES, WE CAN SEE A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN WATER.

AND THERE'S NO IMPACT TO THE LANDSCAPE. SO SO ON THE HIGH END, HOW MANY WHAT IS THE GALLONS? YOU KNOW, 35,000 GALLONS. WHAT IS THAT. I MEAN IT'S A SWIMMING POOL.

SO SO A SWIMMING POOL IS ABOUT A STANDARD SWIMMING POOL IS 20 TO 25,000 GALLONS.

OKAY. SO THAT'S A STANDARD SWIMMING POOL. YOU KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT AN OLYMPIC POOL. AN OLYMPIC POOL IS 660,000 GALLONS.

SO PEOPLE WHO ARE USING 50 TO 60,000 GALLONS A MONTH ARE FILLING UP AN OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOL EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S LIKE 30 REGULAR POOLS A YEAR. THEY'RE FILLING UP WITH WATER, AND THE LANDSCAPING DOESN'T NEED IT.

I MEAN, IT REALLY DOESN'T NEED IT IN FLORIDA. DOESN'T NEED DOESN'T NEED THAT MUCH WATER. AND AGAIN, MOST OF THE TIME WHEN WE MEET WITH PEOPLE, WE SHOW THEM IT'S VERY EASY TO LOWER THOSE REALLY HIGH VOLUMES. SO IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO DO IT.

COMMISSIONER DEAN, I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM COLIN'S NUMBERS BECAUSE THAT'S I STARTING OUT IN PROBABLY 1970S AND EARLY 80S. WE WERE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

IN FACT, AGRICULTURE USED ALMOST ALL THE WATER IN THE STATE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, AT LEAST OVER 50% LARGE NUMBER.

BUT AS FLORIDA HAS GROWN TO 22 MILLION MORE AND MORE PEOPLE USING MORE AND MORE WATER, WE STARTED TO SEE ALL OVER THE STATE A DEPLETION OF OUR AQUIFER, AND WE ACTUALLY STARTED TAKING AFFIRMATIVE STEPS LIKE COLIN HAS JUST EXPLAINED.

ANYONE. AND THAT NUMBER, MY RECOLLECTION IS 30, 40, 50,000 GALLONS A MONTH.

THAT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR LARGE HOMES WITH LARGE LANDSCAPING.

AND SO ONE SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID WAS START IMPLEMENTING WHAT WE CALLED A STRUCTURED RATE, WHERE WE WOULD INCREASE THE PRICE PER GALLON FOR 1000 GALLONS WHEN THE NUMBER GOT ABOVE A CERTAIN THRESHOLD, BECAUSE. MOST PEOPLE SHOULD TRY TO AVOID USING POTABLE WATER FOR IRRIGATION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY'RE USING 30 OR 40,000 GALLONS A MONTH. AND SO THAT ALL THAT ALL COMES TOGETHER WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DEAL WITH BOTH CONSERVATION AND ALSO JUST SMART WATER USE, YOU KNOW, PUTTING A TWO INCH WELL INTO THE INTO THE SURFICIAL AQUIFER.

DON'T USE POTABLE WATER TO WATER YOUR LAWN. SO I COULDN'T AVOID JUMPING HERE ON MY MY LITTLE MY LITTLE HOBBY, WATER MANAGEMENT. RIGHT. IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE.

LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 12.

SEEING NONE. WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 12.

12. ALL RIGHT. SO WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD. DO WE HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS OR PERHAPS A MOTION? I'LL MOVE THIS MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 229, ADOPTING THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY UTILITY RATE

[05:10:02]

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEAN.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, WE HAVE A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, PLEASE VOTE. ALL RIGHT. THAT PASSES FIVE ZERO.

MR.. THANK YOU. THIS IS EXCITING NEWS. I APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK.

[13. First Reading of Floating Structure Ordinance.]

MISS FERGUSON. GOOD AFTERNOON.

WELCOME. GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSION. LISA FERGUSON FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

BACK ON FEBRUARY 21ST OF THIS YEAR, THE BOARD DIRECTED THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE A FLOATING STRUCTURE ORDINANCE.

AND JUST SOME OF THE REASONS WHY WAS BECAUSE THE COUNTY HAS SEEN A RISE IN THE ANCHORING AND MOORING OF FLOATING STRUCTURES.

ANCHORING AND MOORING OF FLOATING STRUCTURES POSES A SPECIAL RISK TO OTHERS IN PROPERTIES, AS THESE STRUCTURES ARE NOT SELF-PROPELLED AND THEY CAN LEAK HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND MAY NOT BE MOVED DURING EMERGENCIES.

A FLOATING STRUCTURE IS A IS A FLOATING ENTITY WITH OR WITHOUT ACCOMMODATIONS BUILT THEREON, WHICH IS NOT PRIMARILY WHICH IS NOT PRIMARILY USED AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION ON WATER, BUT SERVES THE PURPOSE OR PROVIDES SERVICE TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH A STRUCTURE OR OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO REAL PROPERTY.

AND THAT IS THE DEFINITION FROM THE FLORIDA STATUTE REGARDING FLOATING STRUCTURES AND.

THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE IS TO PROHIBIT ANCHORING AND MOORING OF FLOATING STRUCTURES.

AND I'LL JUST GO OVER SOME KEY PROVISIONS THE APPLICABILITY, THE PROHIBITED USES, AS WELL AS THE ENFORCEMENT AND THE PENALTIES.

THIS AFFECTS ALL OF THE WATERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

WHICH MEANS ALL PORTIONS OF THE WATER, PUBLIC WATERS UP TO AND TO INCLUDE THE HIGH MEAN WATER MARK LOCATED IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

WHETHER INCORPORATED OR UNINCORPORATED, UNLESS A MUNICIPALITY, A MUNICIPALITY OPTS OUT OR ADOPTS AN ORDINANCE IN CONFLICT, IN WHICH CASE THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE TO THE EXTENT NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE MUNICIPALITY, WITH THE MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE, AND IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO ANCHOR MORE, OR TIE OFF OR OTHERWISE AFFIX A FLOATING STRUCTURE UPON OR TO THE WATERS OF THE COUNTY.

IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO STORE ITEMS UPON, OCCUPY, OR RESIDE UPON A FLOATING STRUCTURE WITHIN THE WATERS OR SUBMERGED LANDS INCLUDED WITHIN THE WATERS OF THE COUNTY OR PUBLIC OR PUBLICLY OWNED UPLANDS.

AND THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS. THE FLOATING STRUCTURE IS LAWFULLY MOORED IN A PERMITTED FLOATING, EXCUSE ME. PERMITTED PUBLIC MOORING FIELD. PUBLIC PRIVATE MOORING FIELD, MARINA OR MARINE FACILITY.

A GOVERNMENT MARKED WATER OR GOVERNMENT WATERWAY.

MARKERS PERMITTED FLOATING STRUCTURES BY GOVERNMENT PROJECTS OR PERMITTED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AS WELL AS VESSELS, AND TYPICALLY A NOTICE WILL BE PLACED ON THE FLOATING STRUCTURE TO NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE VIOLATION AND THEY'LL HAVE 21 DAYS TO REMOVE THE STRUCTURE. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS A TROPICAL STORM COMING, THEY WILL.

THE OWNER WILL BE GIVEN 24 HOURS TO REMOVE THE STRUCTURE AND THEN THE VIOLATION IS PUNISHABLE UP TO A FINE, UP TO $500 PER DAY AND IMPRISONMENT NOT TO EXCEED 60 DAYS.

AND AFTER THE 21 DAYS HAS PASSED, IF THE FLOATING STRUCTURE STILL REMAINS, EACH DAY WILL WOULD CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE OFFENSE AND THE COUNTY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO REMOVE THE STRUCTURE, HOWEVER, RECOUPING THE COST OF THAT REMOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE MAY BE DIFFICULT.

AND STAFF RECEIVED NUMEROUS CORRESPONDENCE AND CALLS REGARDING THE FLOATING STRUCTURE, AND STAFF RECEIVED THE EMAIL FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THIS ORDINANCE, AND THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS REACHED OUT TO THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, AS WELL AS TO THE CITY BEACH AND THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

[05:15:02]

AND TODAY THERE'S NO ACTION REQUIRED BY THE BY THE BOARD, AND IT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK FOR A SECOND READING AT A LATER DATE.

AND AT THAT TIME, YOU GUYS CAN VOTE TO ADOPT IT.

ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION, BUT I HAVE A STATEMENT.

I WAS JUST WATCHING THE NEWS YESTERDAY AND NEAR PENSACOLA, WHERE THEY HAD THAT BIG STORM.

THERE WAS A FLOATING STRUCTURE, AND THEY WERE RESCUING THE PEOPLE THAT HAD BEEN SELLING CRAFTS AND AND SURFBOARDS OFF THE STRUCTURE.

AND I THINK SOMEONE ACTUALLY DROWNED. AND IT WAS ALL FLOATING STRUCTURES.

SO I THOUGHT OF YOU AND THIS ORDINANCE AND GOOD TIMING.

AND IF I MAY, ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT, ROY, U2, PROBABLY, IS THE FLOATING STRUCTURE IN MATANZAS INLET. AND EVEN BEFORE THAT FLOATING STRUCTURE IN THE VARIOUS PARTIES THAT HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED AND HAD, THEY ARE ACTUALLY ADVERTISING PARTIES THAT START AT THREE IN THE AFTERNOON AND GOING TO MIDNIGHT AT MATANZAS INLET ON THIS FLOATING STRUCTURE, SELLING VARIOUS AND SUNDRY DRINKS. AND THERE ARE NO THERE'S NO BATHROOM FACILITIES.

AND I MEAN, IT'S JUST THIS IS WHAT WHERE WE ARE AND WHY WE NEED TO PURSUE THIS, IN MY OPINION.

DON'T YOU AGREE? ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. I JUST SPOKE WITH LISA ABOUT THIS EARLIER FROM THE CIVIC ROUNDTABLE.

SHE WAS EXPRESSING CONCERNS AND I GUESS THERE'S THESE PEOPLE WHO TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, THESE POP UP PARTIES THAT ARE GOING ON OVER THERE.

AND IT'S A BIG CONCERN. BUT I'VE HEARD FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS AND FORT MATANZAS THE CIVIC ROUNDTABLE THE RIVERKEEPER ALL CONCERNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE HAZARD OF THE WATERWAYS AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND JUST A KIND OF A VISIBLE SITE.

SO I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.

SO NO ACTION REQUIRED. LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT JUST IN CASE SOMEBODY CAME AND WANTS TO BE HEARD ON THIS TOPIC.

OKAY. AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 13.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LISA MCGLYNN. I LIVE AT 703 PINEHURST PLACE.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MISS FERGUSON AND TO OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO GO OUT AND LEARN WHAT WAS HAPPENING THERE, AND ALSO TO TELL EVERYBODY THAT IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM AND YOU BRING IT TO THE COUNTY, THEY ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SO IN A PRETTY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, WE HAVE THIS ORDINANCE.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE MATANZAS INLET IS SUCH A PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS PART OF OUR COUNTY, AND IT IS GOTTEN TO THE POINT NOW THAT WE CAN'T GO THERE ANYMORE.

THE TRAFFIC, THE PARKING ALONG A-1-A BECAUSE THE BEACH IS SO OVERRIDDEN WITH PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S ALL THE FAULT OF THIS FLOATING STRUCTURE, BUT THIS IS JUST WHAT'S HAPPENED AND IT'S REALLY HAPPENED SINCE COVID.

AND THIS FLOATING STRUCTURE THAT'S OUT THERE IS AN EYESORE.

AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE ADVERTISING THESE PARTIES AND SAYING, WELL, YOU CAN'T DRINK ON THE BEACH, EACH, BUT YOU CAN DRINK IN THE WATER. AND THEN THEY'VE GOT ALL THESE KIDS OUT THERE.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT EVERYBODY'S DONE TO BRING THIS FORWARD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. HELLO. DORIS TAYLOR, 208 LOBELIA ROAD.

I WASN'T PLANNING ON SPEAKING ON THIS, BUT THE SLIDES WENT BY REALLY FAST, AND AND I WANT TO KNOW, DID I MISS SOMETHING? IS THIS ONLY ABOUT STRUCTURES WITHOUT MOTORS? THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. YOU ARE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE.

THERE IS AN ENTIRE, YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF VESSELS GO THROUGH HERE, MIGRATING SOUTH AND THEN NORTH EVERY YEAR THERE ARE PEOPLE LIVING ON THEIR BOATS TRAVELING THROUGH.

AND WE'RE. IT USED TO BE, WHEN I WAS DOING IT, THAT THIS WAS A GREAT PLACE TO STOP.

ON YOUR WAY. PEOPLE COME, THEY GO OUT. IT'S WONDERFUL TO WALK AROUND DOWNTOWN.

EAT OUT ALL OF THAT. ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THE.

IS THE WORD OUT GOING TO BE STAY AWAY FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE BECAUSE THAT WORD GOES OUT FAST.

BOATERS WON'T STOP HERE. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU WRITE THIS IN A WAY THAT YOU DON'T UNINTENTIONALLY BONK YOURSELF.

THERE ARE CRUISERS, SAILORS THAT VALUE THIS PLACE AND ARE VALUABLE TO THIS PLACE.

[05:20:01]

COMMISSIONER DORIS, THEY'RE NOT. THEY'RE NOT BOATS.

THEY'RE THESE PEOPLE. GET THESE RAFTS, AND THEN THEY START SELLING ALCOHOL TO MINORS.

NO, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT A BOAT IS A FLOATING STRUCTURE.

THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN. MAKE THAT CLEAR. PROBABLY THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN.

YOU MIGHT BE MAKING IT ILLEGAL FOR THESE PEOPLE TO COME ANCHOR ON THEIR WAY THROUGH AND COME AND HAVE DINNER DOWNTOWN.

WELL, I THINK WE CAN LOOK TO LEGAL RIGHT NOW. I MEAN, THIS IS THIS HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER COUNTIES, IN OTHER AREAS AND IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA PARTICULARLY. AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE WORD GOES OUT AMONGST THE SAILING COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE DON'T STOP THERE ANYMORE.

MR. MAYOR, CAN YOU ADDRESS. SURE. ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY FERGUSON AND I LOOKED AT THIS EXACT ISSUE.

IT'S A VERY VALID POINT. WE EXCLUDED FROM FLOATING VESSELS, FROM FLOATING STRUCTURES OUR VESSELS, WHICH WE DEFINE IN PART AS BEING CAPABLE. CAPABLE OF BEING USED AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION ON WATER.

SO FLOATING STRUCTURES. THE DEFINITION OF FLOATING STRUCTURES WITHIN THE ORDINANCE ALSO STATES.

PARDON ME WHILE I SCROLL UP. IS NOT PRIMARILY USED AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

SO SO THESE BOATS THAT THAT MAY COME HERE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THEY ARE BEING USED AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

SO THEY'RE EXEMPT FROM THIS FROM THIS ORDINANCE.

AND THEY WOULD NOT BE CITED OR IN VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 13? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MADAM VICE CHAIR. SO THERE'S NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM.

I BELIEVE THAT TAKES US TO THE END OF OUR REGULAR AGENDA.

AND WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK INTO PUBLIC COMMENT.

[Public Comment]

GOOD AFTERNOON. AFTERNOON. SUZANNE CLULOW. 109 LAUREL WOOD WAY, UNIT 102.

I WENT TO LUNCH. I MUST HAVE MISSED A LOT, WHICH IS GOOD.

I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE KEEP SEEING ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT JUST THE MULTIFAMILY, THAT WE HAVE A GOOD FIRM IDEA OF HOW MANY WE'VE ALREADY APPROVED THAT AREN'T BUILT. BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ALL GET PAPERWORK LIKE THIS TWO TIMES A MONTH, AND IT ALL BECOMES A BLUR AFTER A WHILE, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE ANYBODY'S KEEPING A LIST OR TRACKED.

AND THE ONLY WAY YOU FIND OUT IS WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING AROUND AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, A MULTIFAMILY COMPLEX.

IT'S MUSHROOMED OUT OF NOWHERE OVERNIGHT. IT SEEMS LIKE, AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING AROUND QUITE A BIT BECAUSE I CAN'T GET MEDICAL CARE HERE ANYMORE.

I'VE GOT TO GO TO MIRABELLA. I'VE GOT TO GO TO JACKSONVILLE, I'VE GOT TO GO ALL THESE PLACES BECAUSE WE HAVE WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE AND NOT ENOUGH DOCTORS. AND I'M SEEING ALL THESE MULTIFAMILY UNDER CONSTRUCTION COMPLEXES.

AND I TRIED TO FIND A LIST THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET ONE.

SO I'M SORT OF DEVELOPING ONE. AND I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MANY WE ACTUALLY HAVE IN THE PIPELINE.

FOR EXAMPLE 16 AND 95, 240 APARTMENTS ARE GOING IN THERE, AND I KNOW THERE'S OTHERS OUT 16.

I DIDN'T EVEN GET OUT TO MIRABELLA YET. 510 APARTMENTS, RIGHT? ALMOST ACROSS THE STREET DOWN HERE. JUST OPENED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

THE EXCHANGE, 312 APARTMENTS. THEY'RE ALL MOULTRIE IN 312.

THEY DID 312 BECAUSE IT WASN'T THREE. ANYWAY, ADD THAT UP AND IT'S A LITTLE OVER A THOUSAND RIGHT THERE.

NOW THEY'RE NOT THEY DON'T HAVE PEOPLE BANGING THEIR DOORS DOWN SAYING, I WANT ONE OF THESE APARTMENTS BECAUSE THEY'RE ADVERTISING EVERYWHERE AND THEY'VE GOT OPENINGS. IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE FILLED. I THINK WE NEED TO BE KIND OF CAREFUL HERE.

LET'S NOT OVERBUILD WE NEED THOSE WORKFORCE. WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE MARKET RATE AT.

IT'S ALMOST PRICE FIXING WHEN YOU GO AND READ IT.

ONE ONE'S 1875 PLUS TWO TWOS, 21, 50 PLUS AND UP.

THREE TWOS, 26, 25. YOU CAN GO RENT A TOWNHOUSE CHEAPER AND YOU CAN RENT ONE OF THESE APARTMENTS.

[05:25:01]

AND IT'S THOSE THAT BUILD WHOLE COMMUNITIES TO LEASE.

AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THEM HERE. THANK YOU MA'AM.

MISS CLEWLOW. I JUST WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE. YOU MAY WANT TO GO SEE MR. ROBERTSON IN THE BACK. THERE IS A DEVELOPMENT TRACKER ON OUR WEBSITE.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HIM. THANK YOU. HE CAN SORT OF TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN TRACK WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS COMING.

SO WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD HANDLE ON ON WHAT'S WHAT'S COMING.

THERE'S A WAY FOR YOU TO GO ONLINE AFTER THE MEETING IS OVER. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK.

YOU. WELCOME BACK. DORIS TAYLOR, 208 LITTLE VALLEY ROAD.

STILL. HEY. SO I THINK WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT RENT CONTROL.

ONE OF THE MANY THINGS I'VE DONE IS I LIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND BROKE, AND THERE WAS RENT CONTROL THERE.

AND MANY OF US KNEW SOMEONE WHO HAD A RENT CONTROL APARTMENT.

I KNEW TWO PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN RENT CONTROL APARTMENTS.

NEITHER OF THEM WAS ON THE LEASE BECAUSE ONCE AN APARTMENT GOT INTO THE SYSTEM, THE PERSON THAT HAD IT HAD SOMETHING VALUABLE. THEY NEVER, EVER, EVER LET IT GO.

THEY JUST SUBLET TO FRIENDS TOTALLY ILLEGALLY.

BUT EVERYBODY DID IT AND EVERYBODY KNEW IT. SO THAT'S HOW TO CHEAT ON RENT CONTROL 101.

EVERYBODY THAT'S EVER LIVED IN A CITY AND BEEN POOR KNOWS IT.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO COPE WITH THAT? INFORMATION. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE. PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU, MADAM VICE CHAIR.

WE'RE INTO COMMISSIONER REPORTS. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

[Commissioners’ Reports]

BUT THROUGH LOVE AND SUPPORT. AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY WATCHING FROM PHOENIX, ARIZONA.

SO HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER. ALAIMO. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

ROCK SPRINGS FARMS JUST WANTED TO GIVE AN UPDATE. I I MET WITH THEM LAST FRIDAY INTRODUCED THEM TO TERESA BISHOP.

THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS FOR THE THE MAJOR MODIFICATION.

OUR STAFF HAS WAS HELPFUL, AS THEY ALWAYS ARE.

THE QUESTION CAME BACK UP REGARDING CLOSING THE PARK UNTIL THE MAJOR MODIFICATION APPLICATION COMES FORWARD.

I DID SPEAK WITH OUR ATTORNEY ABOUT THAT, AND WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO ON JUST EMOTION.

THAT IS A RESOLUTION, RIGHT? DAVID, IF YOU WOULD JUST KIND OF CLARIFY WHAT WOULD NEED TO TO.

SO IT COULD BE IT COULD BE DONE EITHER WAY. IT'S IT'S BETTER FOR IT TO BE IN A RESOLUTION.

BUT IT COULD BE TEMPORARILY DONE. JUST BE A MOTION.

BE A MOTION WITH MAYBE DIRECTION TO BRING BACK A RESOLUTION TO FURTHER RATIFY THAT AND PUT THE TERMS IN WRITING.

SO HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PROCEED. OKAY. SO I CAN OFFER A MOTION THEN TO CLOSE ROCK SPRINGS FARMS UNTIL THE MAJOR MODIFICATION APPLICATION COMES FORWARD IN END OF SEPTEMBER. THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE. I DO HAVE I DO HAVE ONE SUGGESTION ON THAT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES APPLICATIONS MOVE AT THE SPEED OF THE APPLICANTS SOMETIMES. SO PERHAPS PUT AN ALTERNATE DATE SO THAT IT DOESN'T STRETCH UNNECESSARILY.

WHAT I BELIEVE I'M HEARING, I'M INFERRING THAT YOUR INTENT IS TO CLOSE THE PARK JUST JUST WHILE THEY'RE UNDERGOING THEIR MAJOR MODIFICATION TO POTENTIALLY PERMANENTLY REMOVE THE PARK OR WHATEVER THEY PLAN ON DOING WITH THAT MAJOR MODIFICATION.

SO PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, A SECOND TIME LIMIT, LIKE THE SHORTER OF SO MANY MONTHS OR UNTIL THE MAJOR MODIFICATION IS HEARD, WHICHEVER IS SHORTER. SO THAT WAY, IF FOR SOME REASON THE MAJOR MODIFICATION TAKES 6 TO 8 MONTHS TO COME BACK, THE PARK ISN'T CLOSED THAT LONG. BECAUSE IF THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU WANT, IF YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE CLOSED THAT LONG.

OKAY. SO A DATE TO BE DETERMINED THEN WOULDN'T BE SUFFICE, WOULD SUFFICE.

IT WOULD BE UNTIL THE MAJOR MODIFICATION COMES BEFORE THE BOARD.

I WOULD SUGGEST THE EARLIER OF MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW, NOVEMBER 1ST.

I'M JUST THROWING A DATE OUT THERE. THAT'S YOUR DISCRETION OR MAJOR MODIFICATION IS HEARD BY THE BOARD, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO BRING BACK A RESOLUTION ON FUTURE CONSENT AGENDA.

[05:30:03]

THAT IS THE TYPE OF MOTION THAT WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE YOU ALL VOTE ON IT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. APPRECIATE THAT.

I'LL OFFER A MOTION THEN TO CLOSE ROCK SPRINGS FARMS PARK.

DIRECT THE COUNTY STAFF TO CLOSE THE PARK UNTIL THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 1ST.

SECOND. JUST A JUST TO CLARIFY. SO WE HAVE WE HAVE A MOTION.

WE HAVE A SECOND. COMMISSIONER LIMO. IF WE ARE ABLE TO HEAR THE MAJOR MODIFICATION BEFORE NOVEMBER 1ST, WOULD YOU WANT TO THEN LIFT THE CLOSURE OF THE PARK IF WE RESOLVE THAT ISSUE DURING THAT HEARING? YES. YES, THAT WOULD BE THAT WOULD BE FINE. SO I JUST I JUST WANT THE MOTION TO REFLECT WHAT YOU WHAT YOUR INTENT IS.

AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE MR. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE THAT WE THAT WE HAVE THAT COVERED IN THIS MOTION.

YES. AS HE JUST CLARIFIED. AND THEN IF WE COULD GET THE IF COMMISSIONER DEAN IS OKAY WITH THAT SECOND, THAT CLARIFICATION. SURE. ALL RIGHT. SO NOW WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE AN AMENDED SECOND.

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, I'M REALLY CONCERNED CLOSING THE PARK.

I THINK IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ADVERTISED. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO STILL SHOW UP WITH THEIR KIDS IF THERE'S A, I DON'T KNOW, SIGNAGE OUT THERE AND A MOM BRINGS HER KIDS READY TO GO RUN AROUND.

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO DO, ESPECIALLY NOW.

IS THERE ANY I MEAN, WELL, THAT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN.

I THINK WE JUST HIRED A NEW PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR.

I KNOW, BUT I'M. I'M NOT. WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET THE WORD OUT? MR. LARSON, CAN WE DO A PRESS RELEASE? CAN WE DO SOMETHING THAT THERE'S A TEMPORARY CLOSURE? DO YOU THINK WE CAN GET THE MESSAGE OUT EFFECTIVELY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER MEANS? OKAY, I HEAR YOU. I YOU. I THINK THAT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, KIND OF JUST TO BUILD ON THAT. I'M A LITTLE WORRIED WHO'S GOING TO BE DOING MAINTENANCE WHILE THE PARK IS CLOSED. WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT? IF THE MOTION DOESN'T ADDRESS THAT, IT WOULD BE WHOEVER'S REQUIRED TO DO MAINTENANCE UNDER THE CURRENT PUD.

OKAY. AND WE DID SHARE THESE CONCERNS. I HAD ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SARAH TAYLOR EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROCESS OF WHAT THE CLOSURE OF THE PARK WOULD BE.

YOU KNOW, WE PUT UP THE BARRICADES, WE WOULD, YOU KNOW, TAPE UP THE PARK EQUIPMENT.

AND SHE EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT, YOU KNOW, SARAH HAD EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THIS WOULD NOT STOP THEM FROM WHAT THEY HAD ASKED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CLOSING THE PARK UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED. I GUESS AS A AS A DEFENSE, IF SOMEBODY WERE TO GET HURT THAT THEY WOULD SAY THAT THE PARK WAS CLOSED.

SO THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I'M BRINGING IT FORWARD FOR.

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND. WE NEED TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. SO LET'S DO THAT. AND IF THERE'S ANY OTHER HAVE A DISCUSSION. WE CAN HAVE THAT AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON COMMISSIONER ALAMO'S MOTION TO CLOSE ROCK SPRINGS PARK UNTIL NOVEMBER 1ST.

HELLO AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU. YOU CLOSE RAMPS AND STAIRS WHEN THE HURRICANE WIPES THEM AWAY AND PEOPLE COME TO THE BEACH AND THEY CAN'T GET DOWN, SO THEY GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. AND I THINK THINGS GET CLOSED ALL THE TIME FOR A GOOD REASON.

AND I THINK SOMEONE GETTING HURT IN A PLACE THAT IS NOT INSURED IS PROBABLY A BIGGER RISK THAN A MOM BEING DISAPPOINTED WITH HER KIDS THAT THEY CAN'T PLAY THAT DAY.

SO THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

WELCOME BACK. RANDY FITCH. VICE PRESIDENT, ROCK SPRINGS FARMS, 496 OCEAN JASPER DRIVE.

JUST TO CONFIRM THE ATTORNEY'S STATEMENT, WE WILL CONTINUE MAINTENANCE UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED.

THANK YOU SIR. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ROCK SPRINGS FARMS? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH? YES. IS THERE SARAH? IS THERE ANY WAY TO COVER THE INSURANCE TO.

I MEAN, THE COUNTY INSURES IT ANYWAY, RIGHT? YES, MA'AM.

SARAH TAYLOR, ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. YES. THE COUNTY. THE COUNTY ALREADY INSURES THE PARK FOR THE COUNTY'S INTEREST IN THE PARK AND THE LIABILITY.

SO THE COUNTY IS FINANCIALLY PROTECTED AGAINST THAT RISK.

AND SHOULD THE REQUEST BE TO EXTEND THE COUNTY'S COVERAGE, FOR EXAMPLE, IN ADDITION TO ADDITIONAL INSURED ENDORSEMENT, WE WOULD HAVE TO SEEK OUT THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES TRUST PERMISSION TO DO THAT AND THAT WE'RE STILL HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS, WHETHER THAT'S PERMISSIBLE OR NOT. I'M NOT SURE AS TO HOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT IT? IS IT VERY EXPENSIVE? BECAUSE I REMEMBER GETTING INSURANCE FOR MY RUNNING CLUB ON THE TRACK OF A COUNTY TRACK AND IT WAS HARDLY ANYTHING.

IT JUST THERE WOULDN'T BE NO COST TO THE COUNTY.

SHOULD WE EXTEND THAT ADDITIONAL INSURED ENDORSEMENT? BUT I WOULD DEFER TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IT TYPICALLY REQUIRES SOME LEGAL DOCUMENTATION STATING THAT WE HAVE

[05:35:01]

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER WOULD BE, BUT FOR THE COUNTY, IT WOULD BE NO COST FOR AN ADDITIONAL INSURED ENDORSEMENT.

THANK YOU. OKAY. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. ALL RIGHT.

THAT PASSES 4 TO 1. COMMISSIONER ALAIMO, ANYTHING ELSE ON YOUR REPORT? NOTHING ELSE TO REPORT. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

YOU'RE WELCOME, SIR. COMMISSIONER DEAN. YES, MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE ONE ONE ITEM THAT IS OF AN EMERGENCY NATURE THAT I'M GOING TO BE ASKING EACH OF YOU TO HOPEFULLY SUPPORT.

AND I'LL TRY TO MAKE THIS A I'LL TRY TO BE SUCCINCT YET COMPREHENSIVE IN THE SAME MOVE.

EMBASSY SUITES, WHICH IS ON SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, THE VERY NORTH END BEFORE IT BECOMES A STATE PARK.

ANASTASIA STATE PARK HAS HAD MAJOR DAMAGE IN THE LAST SEVERAL HURRICANES, INCLUDING THE IAN AND NICOLE THAT TOOK OUT A GOOD PART OF THE SEAWALL THAT SERVES TO PROTECT THE WHOLE SWIMMING POOL AREA AND THE DECK, AND THEN THE HOTEL FOUNDATION.

AND THEY DESPERATELY NEED TO PROCEED WITH TO FINISH THIS PROJECT OF REBUILDING THE SEAWALL.

AND WE HAD GIVEN THEM A PERMISSIVE USE APPROVAL ONCE BEFORE TO HAVE ACCESS THROUGH POPE ROAD.

TO CLOSE THIS, THE CONSTRUCTION NEEDED TO CLOSE THE SEAWALL, AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE SOON.

BUT BUT THEY'RE THEY THEY AGREED WITH US IF WE IF WE APPROVE THIS NOT TO START UNTIL AFTER THE JULY 4TH WEEKEND, SO IT WOULDN'T CREATE SOME TYPE OF A RESTRICTION TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE VISITING THE BEACH ON JULY 4TH WEEKEND.

BUT THEY NEED TO DO IT EARLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THAT, BECAUSE THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS ARE STARTING LATER THIS SUMMER, EARLY FALL WITH THE REDO OF THE BEACH. REMEMBER SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH AS WELL AS FEDERAL PROJECT.

AND AFTER THE STORMS WE'VE HAD, THE CORPS IS GOING IN AND RE REBUILDING THE BEACH TO PRE-STORM CONDITION ON THEIR OWN DIME.

NO LOCAL MONEY. AND SO THEY'RE GOING TO WE DON'T WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE CORPS BULLDOZERS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT CRASHING WITH THE EQUIPMENT NEEDING TO DO THE SEAWALL. WE NEED TO GET THE SEAWALL FIXED. EMBASSY SUITES IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST TAXPAYING ENTITY IN SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH AND ONE OF THE LARGER IN THE COUNTY.

PROBABLY. BUT HAVING SAID THAT, I ONLY LEARNED OF THIS FRIDAY, THAT'S WHY I'M BRINGING IT UP NOW.

THAT THEY NEED A PERMISSIVE USE AGREEMENT WITH US.

RECKON PARKS WOULD BE HANDLING THAT? RYAN'S HERE TO ANSWER ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, BUT THAT IS THE WHAT? WHAT WE NEED, IF POSSIBLE. AND WHAT I'M ASKING YOU FOR IS DIRECTION TO STAFF AS A POLICY TO DIRECT STAFF TO ENTER INTO THE PERMISSIVE USE AGREEMENT THAT'S NEEDED WITH EMBASSY SUITES SO THEY CAN GET THE SEAWALL CONSTRUCTED AS, AS THE BEFORE THE CORPS STARTS THEIR PROJECT IN LATE SUMMER, EARLY FALL. ANY ANY QUESTIONS YET? I HAVE A QUESTION. JUST HOW LONG THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT OR EARLY FALL.

WE EXPECT IT TO BE OVER. THAT I DON'T. RYAN, HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD TAKE TO TO FIX THE SEAWALL? YES, SIR. RYAN CAIN, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. THE REQUEST WAS UNTIL OCTOBER 15TH.

OCTOBER 15TH. CORRECT. WELL, THAT'S THAT'S PRETTY LONG.

BUT LET ME SAY THIS. THIS IS NOT A MAJOR. FIRST OF ALL, IT'S IT'S NOT REALLY A IT'S CERTAINLY NOT A VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE BEACH AT THAT POINT. WE HAVE QUITE A FEW VEHICULAR ACCESS POINTS ON ANASTASIA ISLAND, BUT THIS ISN'T ONE OF THEM. IT'S BASICALLY WHERE PEOPLE WILL WALK THROUGH.

AND I THINK THAT WE COULD PROBABLY HAVE THE COMPANY TAKE SOME ACTION TO MAKE SURE THERE'S SAFETY FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO WALK THIS POPE ROAD NEXT TO EMBASSY SUITES, AND WE COULD MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAFETY SOME TYPE OF SAFETY PROCEDURE WITH A GUARD OF SOME KIND.

BUT IT REALLY NEEDS TO. IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. IT'S IN THEIR PARKING ON THE OTHER SIDE ANYWAY.

YES, THERE'S THERE'S PARKING. BUT I MEAN, IN FAIRNESS, THERE'S ALWAYS A SHORTAGE OF PARKING IN SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST THAT'S WE GOTTA WE GOT MORE BEACHGOERS THAN WE DO PARKING IT'S JUST LIKE THE WHOLE COUNTY ANYMORE.

SO, COMMISSIONER DEAN, DO WE NEED A MOTION TO TO.

WELL, EITHER I'LL ASK DAVID. EITHER I'M ASKING FOR EITHER A MOTION OR A CONSENSUS.

DAVID, DO YOU HAVE A. SO THIS IS SPECIFIC ACTION.

SO IT WOULD REQUIRE A MOTION WITH OF COURSE WITH PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE A VOTE.

I DO HAVE SOME PROPOSED LANGUAGE BEFORE I READ THAT IF THE COMMISSIONER DEEMS OKAY WITH ME READING IT,

[05:40:07]

SO IT MAY ALSO DELEGATE SIGNING AUTHORITY TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JUST FOR THE CONTRACT TO SIGN FOR THE CLOSURE OF THE BEACH.

I'VE GOT NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. COMMISSIONER DEAN, WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ A PROPOSED MOTION FOR YOUR REVIEW? OKAY, GOOD. SO I HAVE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE A PERMISSIVE USE AGREEMENT RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION AT THE EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL. EFFECTIVE DATE JULY 5TH, 2023, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION.

AND A SECOND. WE NEED TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THIS TIME. THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE MOTION TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE THE BEACH.

ACCESS BY EMBASSY SUITES. HI THERE, SUZANNE CLULOW 109 LAURELWOOD WAY, UNIT 10232086. WELL, I DON'T LIVE OVER ON THE BEACH ANYMORE, BUT I STILL HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS OVER THERE.

AND I'M JUST TELLING YOU ALL THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A POPULAR MOVE.

THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PUBLIC INTEREST OTHER THAN IT'S A LARGE TAXPAYER.

WE ARE GOING TO LOSE QUITE A NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES IN THERE, NOT JUST THE WALK DOWN RAMP, IF I UNDERSTAND THIS CORRECTLY. OCTOBER 15TH.

THAT'S A LONG TIME. THAT'S A REALLY LONG TIME.

WOW. THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE POPULAR. YOU BETTER BE PREPARED TO AND I KNOW HENRY'S UP TO THE TASK OF EXPLAINING TO PEOPLE WHY THIS IS NECESSARY.

THERE'S NOT A GOOD TASTE IN PEOPLE'S MOUTHS FOR THE EMBASSY SUITES.

THEY'VE PULLED SOME THINGS OVER ON THE BEACH THAT ARE NOT POPULAR.

THE WAY THEY BUILT OUT INTO THE BEACH, THE WAY THEY DID WITH THE POOL OUT THERE.

EVERYBODY KEPT SAYING, THIS IS YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE THAT OUR COOL AS SOON AS I.

AND AND THEY DID. AND NOW THEY'RE LOOKING FOR US TO HELP THEM PUT THEIR SELVES BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

YEAH. GOOD LUCK ON THAT. I DON'T HAVE A DOG IN THIS FIGHT, BUT I, I JUST THIS IS NOT GOING TO GO OVER WELL.

THANK YOU. MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELL, I FEEL THE NEED TO MAKE.

I'M COMFORTABLE DOING THE UNPOPULAR THING IF I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

AND I THINK THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WE ALL BENEFIT ALL OVER SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY FROM THE LARGE AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUE THAT THIS BUSINESS BRINGS IN.

AGAIN, IT MAY VERY WELL NOT BE POPULAR, AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE, AS I HAVE TO DO WITH EVERY VOTE THAT I MAKE.

BUT COMMISSIONER DEAN, I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP. I DO THINK IT'S THE RIGHT PATH.

WELL, YEAH, I BROUGHT IT UP BECAUSE IT IS DISTRICT FIVE, MY DISTRICT, AND I DO THINK IT IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I'M NOT TRYING I'M NOT TRYING TO DO EMBASSY SUITES ANY FAVORS.

I'M TRYING TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE MORE BUSINESS THEY HAVE, THE MUCH GREATER OUR BED TAX REVENUE IS.

THEY PAY A TREMENDOUS AD VALOREM TAX, AND THEY'RE A WHAT I CONSIDER A VITAL PART OF OUR COUNTY ECONOMY.

AND SO WITH THAT, I'M DOING IT FOR, I THINK, ALL THE RIGHT REASONS, NOT THE WRONG REASONS.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY. IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD ABOUT THIS ITEM? ALL RIGHT, THEN LET'S LET'S REGISTER THE VOTE.

OKAY, SO THAT PASSES FIVE ZERO. THANK EVERYONE.

I APPRECIATE I KNOW THIS IS I HATE TO BRING THINGS UP ON THE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MEETING, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE ON THIS ONE.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONER DEANE, IN YOUR REPORT? NOPE. ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

OKAY. I HAVE A LOT. I MEAN, I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY, SO I APOLOGIZE.

JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO ADDRESS. THE ARNOLD FAMILY HAD A BUNCH OF RUN INS WITH COUNTY STAFF OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

MY MOTHER RECENTLY RELOCATED HERE AND LOST HER BATTLE WITH THE FLORIDA HEAT ON THE BEACH THE OTHER DAY.

AND I HAD TO FRANTICALLY CALL OUR WONDERFUL FIRE RESCUE TEAM TO COME AND BAIL US OUT.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO CHIEF WILSON AND TO JOSH WITH MARINE PATROL.

YOU GUYS WERE AMAZING. SECONDLY, WE RAN IN WITH ANIMAL CONTROL.

WE HAD A GOOSE SHOW UP TO OUR BACKYARD WITH A BROKEN LEG.

AND SO, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK JOANNE SPENCER, PAUL STURDIVANT, AND GREG LOCKHART FOR COMING AND HELPING US SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

[05:45:05]

THE NEXT COUPLE OF THINGS ARE NOT AS EXCITING.

I DO NEED TO BRING SOMETHING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD IN REGARDS TO YESTERDAY BEING JUNETEENTH.

I SIT ON THE TDC, AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT PERHAPS WE MADE A MISTAKE YESTERDAY BY HOLDING A BOARD MEETING ON WHAT IS A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY.

I KNOW WE AT THE COUNTY DON'T RECOGNIZE THIS, BUT GAIL PHILLIPS, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LINCOLNVILLE MUSEUM, BROUGHT IT UP MULTIPLE TIMES, BOTH AT THE PRECEDING MEETING AND YESTERDAY.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE AS A BOARD CAN LOOK IN THE FUTURE IF NOT MAKING IT A COUNTY HOLIDAY, AT LEAST AGREEING NOT TO HOST BOARD MEETINGS THAT DAY BECAUSE IT DID TAKE HER AWAY FROM HER COMMUNITY AND OTHERS AWAY FROM THE COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS THAT WERE SO IMPORTANT IN SAINT AUGUSTINE YESTERDAY. SO I'D JUST LIKE TO OPEN THAT UP A LITTLE BIT FOR DISCUSSION.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. I THINK YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN PRETTY VOCAL IN MY SUPPORT FOR FOR JUNETEENTH.

IT'S THE END OF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND HOW CAN WE BE THE LAND OF THE FREE IF EVERYBODY'S NOT FREE? I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN IF WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE COUNTY OPERATIONS BECAUSE THE 19TH OF JUNE FALLS ON DIFFERENT DAYS OF THE WEEK EVERY YEAR.

AND I'M NOT QUITE SURE THAT WE SHOULD SHUT DOWN COUNTY OPERATIONS.

I KNOW BANKS ARE CLOSED, AND I I'M NOT SAYING IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE.

I THINK JUNETEENTH IS JUNETEENTH IS A VERY IMPORTANT HOLIDAY THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD CELEBRATE. I'M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT SHUTTING DOWN OPERATIONS AND WHAT IMPACT THAT MIGHT HAVE. SO I'M NOT QUITE SURE. NO, ABSOLUTELY. AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY BE A COUNTY HOLIDAY.

THAT WASN'T EXACTLY WHAT I'M SAYING. BUT JUST MAYBE NOT HAVING BOARD MEETINGS THAT DAY OR COMMITTEE MEETINGS, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD MAYBE DISCUSS IN THE FUTURE. SURE, YEAH.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT FROM THIS BOARD? OKAY. YEAH. MAYBE SOMETHING TO EXPLORE? YEAH.

OKAY. AWESOME. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT. THE SECOND THING I NEED TO BRING UP IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY BEEN TROUBLING ME.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS RECENTLY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS ATTENTION. BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE CAN CONVERSE OPENLY IN THE SUNSHINE.

I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE THAT SEEMS TO BE GROWING HERE AMONGST COUNTY STAFF. I KNOW CHIEF BULLARD MENTIONED CULTURE THIS MORNING, SO IT'S JUST INTERESTING THAT THIS WAS REALLY ON MY MIND. A DIRECTOR'S MEETING WAS CALLED BY OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TWO WEEKS AGO, QUITE HASTILY, WHICH WAS IN AND OF ITSELF, I THINK, UNIQUE.

THESE MEETINGS ARE NORMALLY SCHEDULED, BUT THIS WAS CALLED SEEMINGLY IN RESPONSE TO SOMETHING A COMMISSIONER HAD ASKED A DIRECTOR ABOUT. SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD MULTIPLE STAFF MEMBERS COME TO ME IN CONFIDENCE OUT OF FEAR OF RETRIBUTION AND OR TERMINATION, TO EXPRESS DISTRESS OVER WHAT WAS DISCUSSED OR PROPOSED DURING THIS MEETING.

THEY HAVE RELAYED THAT WHAT STARTED AS AN EVALUATION AND BEST PRACTICES CONVERSATION QUICKLY TURNED INTO SOMETHING ELSE.

BASED ON WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD, ADMINISTRATION HAS NOW DIRECTED THAT ALL COMMISSIONER REQUESTS AND DIRECTIVES AND MEETINGS NOW HAVE TO BE IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO ADMINISTRATION AND VETTED THROUGH THEM. WE CAN NO LONGER HAVE ONE ON ONE DIRECT ACCESS WITH OUR DIRECTORS AND OPEN CONVERSATION LINES.

JUST IT SEEMS THAT WE CAN NO LONGER SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH OUR STAFF WITHOUT IT BEING REPORTED, OR PERHAPS EVEN MEET OFF SITE WITH ANY OF THEM FOR A TOUR OR A CONSTITUENT VISIT WITHOUT A FULL REPORT AND INVITATION FOR ADMINISTRATION TO ATTEND.

THIS IS JUST GOING FURTHER INTO WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A BIT OF A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT AND A TROUBLESOME CULTURE IN THE COUNTY.

I'VE BEEN AWARE THAT CERTAIN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO CONCEAL THINGS FROM THE COMMISSION IN THE PAST, AND NOW I'M SEEING THIS LEVEL OF CONTROL AND SILENCE BEING EXTENDED TO ANOTHER LAYER OF STAFF.

BEYOND THAT, MY FEAR IS WE NOW HAVE A CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT THAT WE ARE LOSING STAFF.

I'VE SEEN THAT HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES DURING MY TENURE.

WE HAD YET ANOTHER HUGE LOSS TODAY IN OUR FACILITIES.

AND THERE'S OTHER POTENTIAL TURNOVER THAT JUST FURTHERS MY CONCERN.

IT'S SO HARD TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT, RECRUIT AND RETAIN TALENT RIGHT NOW.

AND I JUST FEEL THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD BE THE BEST PLACE IN SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY TO WORK LIKE WE SHOULD BE THE STANDARD OR WE'RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG IF WE'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE. IT ALSO IS TROUBLESOME TO ME THAT WE, AT LEAST MYSELF, I HAVEN'T BEEN BRIEFED ON THIS POLICY CHANGE AND I THOUGHT THAT.

ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? I'M TALKING TO EVERYBODY. OH, NO.

I'M LOOKING AT ME? I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS BEEN BRIEFED ON THIS NEW POLICY CHANGE. WHERE? WHERE WE'RE NOW HAVING TO FILTER ALL OF OUR COMMUNICATION THROUGH ADMIN. I THOUGHT THAT THE BOARD MADE POLICY DECISIONS.

PERHAPS. PERHAPS I'M WRONG, BUT THAT'S JUST WHAT MY UNDERSTANDING WAS DURING MY TENURE.

YOU KNOW, I WANT TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR. MY ISSUE WITH COMMUNICATION IS ALWAYS BEEN WITH ADMINISTRATION. IT'S NEVER BEEN WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS. THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN RESPONSIVE, TRANSPARENT. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY ON THE RECORD, I WANT ALL STAFF TO KNOW THEY CAN COME AND CONVERSE WITH ME AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITHOUT FEAR OF RETRIBUTION, WITHOUT FEAR OF HAVING TO REPORT IT.

I WANT TO HAVE OPEN, HONEST AND TRANSPARENT LINES OF COMMUNICATION, AND I JUST I JUST FELT THE NEED TO GET IT ON THE RECORD.

[05:50:02]

I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THIS IS TROUBLESOME. I JUST IT'S SOMETHING I, YOU KNOW, WANTED TO GET OUT THERE IN THE OPEN.

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE TALK ABOUT IT. BEFORE I BEFORE I RESPOND, MR. CONRAD, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I'D LOVE TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.

I MEAN, SHE'S ALLUDING TO A MEETING THAT YOU CALLED, AND I'M HAPPY TO RESPOND.

COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, MR. CHAIR. SO, FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE QUARTERLY DIRECTORS MEETINGS.

THEY'RE FREQUENTLY CALLED EITHER WITH A WEEK OR TWO IN ADVANCE.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE CALLED DAYS IN ADVANCE BASED UPON MY SCHEDULE AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S SCHEDULE RELATED TO CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION.

SINCE I'VE GOT HERE THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO NOW, ALMOST FOUR YEARS, THE EMPHASIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON CULTURE RETENTION CREATING A BETTER CULTURE, I BELIEVE. AND I THINK COMMISSIONER DEANE, YOU WERE HERE AT THE TIME WHEN I WAS HIRED.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS I WAS BROUGHT IN, WAS TO IMPROVE THE CULTURE HERE THE WORKPLACE, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BOARD WAS BEING COMMUNICATED WITH BOTH PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY.

AND SO DURING MY TENURE, I CERTAINLY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE COMMUNICATION OTHER THAN COMMISSIONER ARNOLD'S PROBLEM TODAY.

AND SO I WOULD ASK EACH AND EVERY COMMISSIONER TO WEIGH IN ON THAT, BECAUSE I'VE NOT HAD OR ANYONE EXPERIENCE GIVE ME THAT FEEDBACK THAT THERE'S BEEN A NEGATIVE COMMUNICATION PRIVATELY OR PUBLICLY WITH THE BOARD AS RELATED TO DIRECTORS MEETINGS.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. I LOOK TO MR. MIDGETT, UNFORTUNATELY PUT HIM ON THE SPOT.

IT'S WITHIN MY AUTHORITY AS YOUR ADMINISTRATOR TO CALL DIRECTORS MEETINGS WHENEVER I PLEASE, AND I DON'T GENUINELY OR GENERALLY PROVIDE COMMISSIONERS REPORTS OF THOSE MEETINGS.

IF THERE'S A POLICY CHANGE INTERNALLY, THAT'S ALSO WITHIN MY PURVIEW TO PROVIDE.

I'VE NEVER RESTRICTED ACCESS FOR ANY COMMISSIONER TO DIRECTORS, ALTHOUGH BY POLICY AND BY CODE, ADMINISTRATION IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE EVERYTHING FUNNELED THROUGH THEM. THAT'S NOT TO RESTRICT INFORMATION OR ACCESS TO COMMISSIONERS.

THAT'S TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL COMMISSIONERS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE AND INFORMATION, SO NO ONE IS BLINDSIDED OR STEPS ON A LANDMINE.

SO ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN DONE, ANY INTERNAL POLICY THAT'S BEING CHANGED OR WORKED THROUGH IS ALWAYS TO PROVIDE BETTER AND MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION, AND HAS NEVER BEEN DONE ONE TIME IN MY TENURE TO RESTRICT INFORMATION.

AND SO IF THERE'S ANYONE IN HERE THAT SAYS THEY'RE GOING TO BE RETALIATED AGAINST, I'VE NEVER RETALIATED AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE.

THAT'S NEVER BEEN THE CASE. AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO ASK ANY DIRECTORS THAT WORK WITH ME OR ANYONE ON THE ADMIN TEAM, MY TIME AT THE CLERK'S OFFICE. AND SO, QUITE FRANKLY, I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED BY COMMISSIONER ARNOLD'S COMMENTS, HER THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER. I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT SHE DIDN'T BRING THIS TO ME PRIVATELY, BUT NEVERTHELESS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS PERSONALITY CONFLICTS BETWEEN LEADERSHIP, AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY THINGS GO SOMETIMES.

BUT CERTAINLY IF THERE'S ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, I WOULD CERTAINLY BE WILLING TO HEAR THAT, TO ADDRESS THAT AND DO ANYTHING WE CAN TO IMPROVE THAT RELATED TO HAVING MEETINGS AND HAVING PHONE CALLS, OF COURSE, I ASKED DIRECTORS, THIS IS VERY COMMON, AND ALMOST EVERY SINGLE MUNICIPALITY AND EVERY SINGLE COUNTY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE STATE. THAT WHEN YOU'RE COMMUNICATING WITH DIRECTORS, THEY REPORT THAT TO THE CITY MANAGER OR THE COUNTY MANAGER, BECAUSE THE COUNTY MANAGER IS THE ONLY EMPLOYEE OF THE BOARD.

NOW, I'VE NEVER RESTRICTED THIS BOARD FROM COMMUNICATING AND GETTING THINGS DONE AND WORKING WITH DIRECTORS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON SO THAT WE CAN HELP KEEP OPERATIONS FLOWING SMOOTHLY, SO WE CAN COORDINATE WITH THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS OR OTHER STAFF MEMBERS OR OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS WHO MAY BE LEFT OUT OF THE CONVERSATION, BECAUSE A NEWER COMMISSIONER MAY NOT KNOW THAT IT COULD AFFECT FIVE OR 6 OR 7 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, THEIR COMMUNICATIONS, OR THEIR POSITIONS ON CERTAIN ISSUES.

SO ANY EFFORTS THAT ARE DONE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TO IMPROVE THE CULTURE AROUND HERE.

AND I'M SORRY IF THERE'S A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, BUT I STAND ON THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE BY THE TEAM THAT'S BEEN HERE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PRESS FORWARD AND CONTINUE TO DO THINGS THE SAME WAY THAT WE'VE DONE THEM WITH INTEGRITY, WITH HUMILITY, WITH CONFIDENCE. AND WHEN THAT TIME CHANGES AND THIS BOARD WITH FOUR OF THIS BOARD MEMBERS DECIDE THAT THEY DON'T LIKE THE DIRECTION THAT'S GOING.

I WILL GLADLY STEP ASIDE. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

MR. CONNOR, WE DO HAVE ANOTHER. COMMISSIONER WANTS TO SPEAK, BUT I JUST WANT TO BE. SO I DID NOT HAVE A DIRECTOR COME TALK TO ME.

BUT I JUST HAVE TO ASK. WAS THERE A POLICY DIRECTION THAT WOULD LIMIT WHAT A DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CAN HAVE? AN INTERACTION WITH A COMMISSIONER? NO, THERE'S NO POLICY DIRECTION THAT LIMITS AN INTERACTION WITH A COMMISSIONER.

WHAT WE'VE DONE, AND I WAS GOING TO HAVE A MEMO DRAFTED TO YOU ALL PLAN TO SPEAK TO YOU.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I SPOKE WITH MY CHIEF OF STAFF THIS WEEK. MR. CHAIR WAS TO MEET WITH YOU IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. DIRECTORS HAVE BEEN DRIVEN AND THERE ARE SOME THERE ARE SOME THAT DON'T COMPLY AND THERE ARE OTHERS THAT DO.

BUT SINCE WE'RE AIRING IT ALL OUT IN THE PUBLIC, THERE ARE SOME DIRECTORS, NOT ALL, WHO HAVE SAID WE'RE BEING DRIVEN TO MEETINGS ALL THE TIME, RANDOMLY. SOMETIMES WE DON'T NEED TO BE THERE.

AND SO IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THAT MORE EFFICIENT, WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FOR DIRECTORS AND ADMINISTRATION TO BE AT

[05:55:06]

IF THERE'S ANY TIME, THERE'S ALWAYS. I TOLD THE DIRECTORS WAS IF YOU NEED TO HAVE A PHONE CALL WITH THE COMMISSIONER OR AN EMAIL, LET US KNOW. LET YOUR YOU DON'T HAVE TO LET ME KNOW.

LET LET BRAD LET SARAH LET MR. AND MISS ANDREWS, MISS TAYLOR AND MR. BRADLEY KNOW THE COMMUNICATION SO THAT WE CAN RESPOND AND DEEM WHETHER IT'S APPROPRIATE OR NOT, TO LET THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS KNOW THAT THIS MAY BE WHAT'S GOING ON.

DURING MY TIME HERE, I FOUND IT ALWAYS APPROPRIATE THAT EACH COMMISSIONER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, AND NOBODY LIKES TO STEP ON A LANDMINE. SO THAT'S IN AN EFFORT TO CONTINUE COMMUNICATIONS BECAUSE THINGS GET LEFT OUT.

SO IS THERE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE? NO THERE'S NOT.

I WOULD SAY IT'S ALWAYS A WORK IN PROGRESS ON IMPROVING COMMUNICATION, NOT MAKING IT WORSE.

WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO THAT IS IF THAT WAS YOUR INTENT, THAT'S GREAT. BUT THAT WAS NOT THE MESSAGE THAT WAS RECEIVED FROM THE DIRECTORS THAT CAME TO ME IN CONFIDENCE. THE MESSAGE THEY RECEIVED WAS SILENCE.

SO I JUST WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION THERE. CAN I ASK A QUESTION? I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. OF COURSE YOU CAN.

YOU CAN. SOMEONE JUST. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I CAN TALK TO YOU.

SO, DID I DO SOMETHING? NO, NOT AT ALL. NO NO NO NO.

OKAY. I JUST DON'T I DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS. IT WAS. BUT IF I HAVE HAD STAFF COME TO ME.

AND SINCE THEN, I HAVE SEEN A CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR OF CERTAIN STAFF MEMBERS AS WELL THAT SEEM TO BE IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO THIS MEETING.

OKAY. BECAUSE WHEN YOU STARTED SAYING WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, I KIND OF WAS LISTENING AND IT'S THE END OF THE DAY AND I WAS NOT SURE WHAT YOU WERE SAYING. SO I'M SORRY, I JUST NO, I JUST, I, I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF ANYBODY ELSE HAD HAD ANY STAFF MEMBERS OR DIRECTORS COME TO THEM AGAIN.

THEY CAME TO ME IN CONFIDENCE. THEY THEY FELT THAT THEIR COMMUNICATION LINES TO US AND VICE VERSA, WERE BEING CUT OFF. I HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING. AND FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, BUT YOU KNOW, LIKE I HAD MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, I'M ALWAYS WANTING STAFF TO COME AND CHAT WITH ME IF THEY EVER HAVE ANY, YOU KNOW, CONCERNS AND LIKE TO LIKE TO MEET WITH THEM DIRECTLY, BUT NO, I HADN'T HEARD ANY HEARD OF ANY ISSUES OR ANYTHING.

SO I WANT TO SAY THIS FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH. I MEAN, I RELY ON STAFF.

I NEED STAFF. I BENEFITED FROM STAFF'S EXPERIENCE IN TRYING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.

I WOULD HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO LIMIT TO MY INTERACTION WITH STAFF.

I THINK I'D HAVE A BIG PROBLEM IF I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A BIG WALL, OR ANY KIND OF WALL BETWEEN MY MYSELF AND A DIRECTOR OF A DEPARTMENT THAT I NEED, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE TO SERVE A RESIDENT. SO, FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH THAT'S THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS.

COMMISSIONER DEAN. I WAS GOING TO SAY PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING.

JUST A LITTLE BIT OF PERSONAL HISTORY. DURING MY YEARS AS DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EITHER SAINT JOHNS RIVER OR SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT AT SOUTH FLORIDA, WE HAD AS MANY AS 2200 EMPLOYEES AT ONE TIME.

AND I WAS THE IN THE SIMILAR POSITION AS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

I WAS THE WAS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORTING TO A NINE MEMBER BOARD, WHICH WAS ALWAYS INTERESTING.

AND I THINK IT'S HARD TO KEEP FIVE HAPPY. TRY NINE.

BUT I ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ALL MY STAFF. IF A IF A GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER CALLS YOU, PLEASE RETURN THE CALL AND PLEASE, YOU KNOW, EXPLAIN WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED.

BUT OH, BY THE WAY, JUST DROP ME A NOTE, LET ME KNOW YOU DID SO I KNOW WHAT THAT WHAT THE BOARD MEMBER KNOWS AND WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

SO SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION FOR SEVEN YEARS, I'VE HAD THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL THE DIRECTORS AND WITH HUNTER CONRAD.

AND SO I WAS NOT AWARE. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBABLY LATE LAST WEEK OF SOMEONE FROM OUT, NOT AFFILIATED, NOT AN EMPLOYEE OR A COMMISSIONER.

CERTAINLY ADVISED ME ABOUT SOME MEETINGS THAT WERE TAKING PLACE THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF UNTIL THAT DISCUSSION.

BUT FOR ME PERSONALLY, AND I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF THE RELATIONSHIP I'VE HAD WITH THE STAFF HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. AND I WOULD ECHO, MR. CHAIRMAN, WHAT YOU SAID.

I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT THAT TO CHANGE. CERTAINLY NOT A CHANGE THAT WE HAVE NOT APPROVED AS A POLICY.

SO I FULLY INTEND TO CONTINUE TO CALL DIRECTORS, ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE FOR THAT MATTER, AND EXPECT THEM TO RETURN MY CALL AND EXPECT TO HAVE THE BLESSING OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. BUT SO FAR AS OF TODAY, I HAVEN'T FELT LIKE I'VE RUN INTO ANY PROBLEMS. AND I WOULD HOPE THAT IF THERE ARE DIRECTORS THAT ARE STILL FEEL STIFLED IN ANY WAY THAT THEY CAN SIT DOWN, MAYBE ONE ON ONE WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND HAVE A GOOD CHAT.

I WANT TO COMMEND ALL, ALL OF YOU TO FOR BRINGING THIS ISSUE OUT IN PUBLIC BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY TIME WE CAN SPEAK, AND IT'S CRITICAL FOR A GROWING COUNTY LIKE WE ARE FOR US TO HAVE VERY SOLID, GOOD COMMUNICATION AMONG OURSELVES

[06:00:10]

SO THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS THIS AFTERNOON. YEAH.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, ANYTHING ELSE? NO. THAT'S IT.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I'VE GOT A FEW THINGS.

AND AGAIN, I KNOW WE'RE ALL ANXIOUS TO GO. MISS ROBERTSON SPEAKING TO ONE OF THE DIRECTORS.

I'VE GOT A I'VE GOT TO ASK FOR FOR A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WE HEARD FROM SOME OF THE FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT TODAY AT FRUIT COVE ESTATES.

OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE A PARCEL OF LAND THAT DIRECTLY AFFECTS THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

I WAS HOPING THAT YOU'D BE WILLING TO WORK WITH AND EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THE PROCESS, ABOUT WHAT THAT PARCEL IS ENTITLED TO, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, STATE ROUTE 13 IS IS A COUNTY GEM.

AND I THINK THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING THE CHARACTER OF THAT PARCEL.

SO ANY THOUGHTS THAT YOU CARE TO SHARE WITH THE BOARD SINCE WE ALL HAD TO HEAR THAT? SURE. ABSOLUTELY. MIKE ROBERTSON GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR MR. AND MRS. SABATELLO AND I BELIEVE ANOTHER GENTLEMAN AND MAYBE SOME OTHER PUBLIC HAD SPOKEN, HAD SOME CONCERNS. WE'VE RECEIVED SOME CORRESPONDENCE ON THAT. SO THE PROPERTY, I THINK THEY CALL IT THE OTOS. THERE WAS A PROPOSAL A FEW YEARS AGO, AS YOU HEARD MENTIONED ON THAT PROPERTY, THERE ARE SOME COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS THAT THAT CAN BE USED WITHIN A CERTAIN LEVEL OF COMMERCIAL.

RIGHT. SO THERE IS A WHAT'S CALLED A COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION PLAN THAT'S IN ENGINEERING PLANS.

SO THEY ARE IN WITH US FOR A LITTLE COMMERCIAL CENTER THAT'S THERE.

THERE IS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE TREES ON SITE BEING REMOVED, AND I THINK THERE'S SOME CONCERNS ABOUT DRAINAGE AND MAYBE ACCESS.

SO IT'S IN LIKE THE FIRST SUBMITTAL OF REVIEW. SO IT'S BEING REVIEWED BY STAFF.

I WILL SAY THIS TO THOSE WHO HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE TREES AND TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE STAFF, ASIDE FROM IMPLEMENTING THE CODE, WE ONLY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO ENFORCE WHAT THE CODE ALLOWS US TO ENFORCE.

BUT WE DO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE TREES, MAYBE EVEN OUTSIDE WHAT THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT IS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAD A LARGE TREE AND THERE WAS A TREE ISLAND, YOU CAN MOVE, POTENTIALLY MOVE THAT TREE ISLAND OVER WHERE THAT TREE IS AND SAVE THAT TREE IF IT'S A, YOU KNOW, A VERY LARGE TREE AND IT'S OLD AND ETC..

SO IT'S IN THE REVIEW. IT DOES HAVE SOME ENTITLEMENTS ALLOWED TO IT UP TO A CERTAIN LEVEL.

AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THAT APPLICANT TO YOU KNOW, REVIEW THAT CONSTRUCTION PLAN AT THIS TIME.

AND CERTAINLY WE WILL REACH OUT. I MR. CONTACT INFORMATION.

MR. MCINERNEY, THEY'VE ALL REACHED OUT TO US.

TOTH. IS THE BOARD OKAY? CAN WE GET CONSENSUS THAT IF THE GROUP FROM THAT AREA SORT OF REACHES OUT TO MR. ROBERTSON, THAT HE CAN MEET WITH THEM AND AND ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS AS MUCH AS HE SEES FIT? IS THAT OKAY? CAN HE ALSO TRY TO WORK WITH THEM TO SAVE SOME OF THOSE TREES? CAN THEY? WELL, I THINK THAT'S THAT'S WHAT HE WAS JUST SPEAKING TO.

THAT WOULD JUST BE. YES. I THINK YOU AND I, AS RESIDENTS COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, WE WANT TO SAVE THE TREES.

BUT THEN THERE'S CODE AND REGULATIONS, I THINK THAT'S.

THANK YOU. OUR HANDS ARE TIED. SO I THINK MR. ROBERTSON ALLUDED TO THAT. BUT DO YOU WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT. RIGHT. AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT I BELIEVE KIMLEY-HORN IS THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE DOING THE ENGINEERING.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF ALL THESE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN VOICED TO US.

AND SO HOPEFULLY THEY'LL THEY'LL UNDERSTAND THAT THAT VIBE, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS AS WELL.

AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN WORK WITH US ON THE PLAN TO SAVE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

OKAY. WE ALL GOOD WITH THAT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. ROBERTSON. YES, SIR, I I APPRECIATE THAT YOU DENIED THAT.

DALE IS. ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, A DALE WAS PROPOSED AT THIS VERY SPOT, AND WE VOTED FIVE ZERO TO DENY THAT.

IS THAT WHY? YES, SIR. ACTUALLY, I ATTENDED THAT COMMUNITY MEETING.

AND AS A RESIDENT OF JULINGTON CREEK PLANTATION, I WANT TO THANK YOU.

OH. YOU'RE WELCOME. I DIDN'T COME SPEAK AGAINST THE PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT I'M HAPPY THERE'S NOT A DAILIES RIGHT THERE.

I LOVE MY DAILIES. WE'RE THE ONE THAT I GO TO.

IT'S OPEN. IT'S. I LOVE IT, BUT RIGHT THERE WAS PROBABLY NOT THE BEST FIT.

SO THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF US WHEN I WAS NOT ON THIS BOARD.

I DO APPRECIATE THAT. LAST TWO THINGS ARE REALLY, YOU KNOW, WE DID A PROCLAMATION TODAY RECOGNIZING JULY AS PARKS AND REC MONTH.

BERT WATSON WAS SORT OF THE GODFATHER OF PARKS AND REC HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, AND HE PASSED AWAY RECENTLY WITHIN THE LAST YEAR.

WE ARE GOING TO DO A MEMORIAL NAMING OF MILLSFIELD FOR BERT BERT WATSON.

IT WILL BE THIS SATURDAY. AGAIN, IF YOU'RE AS INTO PARKS AND REC, AND YOU SEE THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF PARKS AND REC LIKE I DO.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME UP TO RACETRACK ROAD, GO TO MILLS FIELD AND ATTEND THIS THIS NAMING CEREMONY.

AGAIN, CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT BERT WATSON, BUT THERE WILL BE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE THERE WHO WHO KNEW HIM AND WHO WATCHED ALL THE GOOD

[06:05:04]

THE GROWTH IS WELL DOCUMENTED. NOBODY'S SHYING AWAY FROM THAT CONVERSATION. BUT PERHAPS THE PARKS HAVEN'T QUITE KEPT UP.

AT OUR BUDGET WORKSHOP BACK IN MAY, THIS BOARD HEARD STAFF DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF A BONDING SOLUTION SO THAT WE COULD BUILD THREE OF THE FOUR PARKS. THAT SPORTS HAS SORT OF DESIGNED FOR US AND COUNTY OWNED LAND.

HAVING HAD A CONVERSATION WITH STAFF, I THINK THAT THERE'S ENOUGH BONDING CAPACITY TO GET AT LEAST PHASE ONE FOR NOCATEE.

PART TWO. YAY! OKAY. THANK YOU. WAS THAT WAS THAT THE QUESTION I SAW YOU.

ALL RIGHT. SO SO AGAIN, IT'S POSSIBLE I THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF CREATIVITY ON THE PART OF MR. CONRAD, MR. DUNN UP IN OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.

BUT I THINK THAT IF IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WE DIRECT STAFF TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, BECAUSE THE FOLKS OUT THERE THEY'VE BEEN TOLD, JUST WAIT A LITTLE LONGER, WAIT A LITTLE LONGER.

THEY'VE BEEN TOLD THAT FOR DECADES. AND DAVIS PARK IS A BEAUTIFUL PARK.

IT'S AN AMAZING PARK. IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH AT THIS POINT.

SO I THINK THIS BOARD NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION. SO I'D APPRECIATE IF WE COULD GET CONSENSUS TO DIRECT OUR STAFF TO PURSUE A BONDING SOLUTION.

NOW FOR ALL FOUR PARKS. YES. ABSOLUTELY. YES, YES.

ALL RIGHT. WELL, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THAT. THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME. AND I KNOW THE COMMUNITY WILL CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT. WE'RE ON TO

[County Administrator’s Report]

CHIEF SCOTT BULLARD IS HERE THIS MORNING, SO HE'S GOING TO COME UP.

YOU'VE SEEN FROM HIM OR YOU'VE SEEN HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES AND HEARD FROM HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS MORNING AS WELL. I JUST WANT TO TALK JUST A SECOND ABOUT SCOTT.

I THINK ALL OF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROCESS, BUT IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR CHIEF PREVATTE, AFTER 35 YEARS OF SERVICE, RETIRED, AND SCOTT PUT IN AS A BATTALION CHIEF AND WENT THROUGH A PRETTY RIGOROUS INTERVIEW PROCESS ON AN INTERIM BASIS.

AND THEN DURING THAT TIME, HE HAD TO MAINTAIN THE DEPARTMENT, HAD TO MAINTAIN CULTURE, HAD TO MAINTAIN LEADERSHIP, KEEP THE DEPARTMENT MOVING WHILE A NATIONAL SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED.

THAT TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS, MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS.

AND AT THE END OF IT, SCOTT BULLARD STILL CAME OUT ON TOP.

I KNOW YOU SAW HIM BRING THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THIS MORNING HERE TO BE RECOGNIZED.

HE'S COMMITTED TO CONTINUE TO WORK HERE. I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A LIFELONG DREAM FOR HIM. WE'VE DISCUSSED IT IN PRIVATELY. BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU, THIS IS A GREAT MAN. HE'S GOING TO SET A SET A GREAT TONE FOR THE FUTURE OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, AND I COULDN'T GIVE A HIGHER AFFIRMATION OF MY SUPPORT FOR HIM AS HE'S PRESENTED TO YOU FOR CONFIRMATION THIS AFTERNOON.

CHIEF, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? YES, SIR.

I WOULD JUST ABOUT TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE AND WHAT THAT MEANS. FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO THANK MR. CONRAD FOR BELIEVING IN ME AND FOR ENTRUSTING ME TO FULFILL YOUR VISION MOVING FORWARD WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

SECOND, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND EVERYTHING.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE. IT'S BEEN GREAT.

THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IT'S BEEN, I COULDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE.

AND THAT'S THAT'S ALL THE WAY AROUND. NOT MANY PEOPLE GET TO GROW UP AND DO THE JOB THAT THEY DREAMED ABOUT DOING THEIR WHOLE LIFE. I'VE HAD THAT PRIVILEGE. AND THIS. THIS IS A PRIVILEGE.

I TREAT IT AS SUCH. IT'S A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT.

NOTHING'S GUARANTEED. I'VE WORKED HARD TO GET WHERE I'M AT.

NOW I AM TO THE POINT WHERE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING.

THIS IS NOT. I HAVEN'T I HAVEN'T HIT A PINNACLE OF ANYTHING.

THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING FOR ME. JUST AS PASSIONATE TODAY AS I WAS 21 YEARS AGO.

AND I'M NOT GOING TO STOP FIGHTING TO MAKE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE THE BEST DEPARTMENT AROUND.

WE ARE GOING TO BE THE BENCHMARK. AND AS EARLIER TODAY, YOU KNOW, I PRESENTED, YOU KNOW, 22 NEW HIRES TO YOU.

OVER HALF OF WHICH CAME FROM ANOTHER DEPARTMENT.

YOU KNOW, THAT IS THAT'S A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AND ONE OF THESE DAYS, HOPEFULLY SOON, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE NOT LOSING ANY OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT, AND THAT'S OUR GOAL. OKAY. THANK YOU. THAT'S AWESOME.

THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS, CHIEF. WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU ON PERMANENTLY.

AND COMMISSIONER, JUST JUST FOR THE RECORD, I THINK I NEED A YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO A MOTION, BUT JUST BY AT LEAST BY CONSENSUS, I THINK YOU ALL SAID IT WITH YOUR EYES AND YOUR YOUR HANDS. BUT IF YOU'LL ALSO JUST PUT IT ON THE RECORD BY CONFIRMATION THAT YOU WOULD SUPPORT SCOTT BULLARD AS PERMANENT FIRE CHIEF. I THINK A ROUND OF APPLAUSE CONSTITUTES A CONSENSUS.

RIGHT. GOOD. COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. YES, YES. THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU, SIR. MR.

[County Attorney’s Report]

[06:10:08]

YOU MAY RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE RECOMMENDED THAT WE BRING BACK CHANGES TO WHAT'S CALLED THE CHILD SAFETY ZONES ORDINANCE.

YOU ALL GAVE CONSENSUS THAT IS IN MOTION RIGHT NOW.

THAT WILL COME BACK BEFORE YOU LATER THIS SUMMER. RECENTLY ON A ON A SIMILAR NOTE IN REVIEWING ANOTHER ORDINANCE, THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY PROHIBITED HOLIDAY ACTIVITY ORDINANCE FOR SEXUAL OFFENDERS AND SEXUAL PREDATORS.

WE'VE BEEN REVIEWING THAT, AND WE BELIEVE WE CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, AND ALSO STRENGTHEN THE ORDINANCE FROM POTENTIAL CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES BASED ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

SO I'M SEEKING BOARD CONSENSUS FOR US TO BRING BACK PROPOSED CHANGES TO THAT ORDINANCE TO YOU IN THE FUTURE TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBJECTIVES I JUST STATED. CAN WE GET CONSENSUS? YOU GOT CONSENSUS.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR KEEPING YOUR EYE ON THIS. I KNOW IT'S A NECESSARY CHANGE.

THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. OKAY. VERY GOOD.

IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE FOR THE GOOD OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, WE'RE ADJOURNED.

OH, YEAH, I SUGGESTED I.

THINK I'M READY FOR A NAP.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.