May 19, 2026 Board of County Commissioners

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS LIBBY MORIN, I'M A RESIDENT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

I LIVE AT 111-14TH STREET. HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE INCLUSION OF A STATE SCATHE PARK.

I'VE SKATE PARK. PRE- COVID, RIGHT BEFORE COVID-19 THIS EXACT INITIATIVE HAD A LOT OF MOMENTUM AND ACTIVE MOVEMENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND TODAY OUR FAMILY IS BACK TO ENSURE THAT -- TO ENSURE THAT IT'S NOT LOST AND WE FINISH WHAT WE STARTED. THE SURF SKATE CULTURE IS HUGE HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH. WE'RE A BEACH COMMUNITY AND IT'S THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY'S IDENTITY.

FROM LOCAL ICONS TO KIDS PICKING UP THE BOARD FOR THE FIRST TIME, BOARD SPORTS DEFINE WHO WE ARE, YET OUR INFRASTRUCTURE HAS COMPLETELY STAGNATED WHILE OUR POPULATION HAS SURGED.

RIGHT NOW HAMILTON [INDISCERNIBLE] PARK IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WE HAVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH AND TO CALL IT A SKATE PARK IS GENEROUS. IT'S BECOME DANGEROUSLY SMALL AND OVERCROWDED. I HAVE VIDEOS OF EVEN 6 CHILDREN THERE, IT'S DANGEROUS. THE CONSEQUENCE OF UNDERSIZING BECAUSE OF HAMILTON UP CHURCH CAN'T HANDLE THE SHEER VOLUME OF SKATERS. THEY'RE MIXING DANGEROUSLY WITH HEAVY PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE [INDISCERNIBLE] PARKER IS THE SOLUTION. IT PROVIDES THE SPACE WE NEED.

IT ALSO FEATURES PARKING LOT, RESTROOM FACILITIES AND WE CAN BUILD A SAFE STRUCTURE, WORLD-CLASS CONCRETE SKATE PARK WITHOUT SPRAWLING INTO GREEN SPACES.

WHILE THE COUNTY IS MAKING HUGE INVESTMENTS IN THIS PARTICULAR PARK AS WELL, AND OTHER ATHLETIC COMPLEXES, OUR LOCAL BEACH COMMUNITY IS BEING LEFT BEHIND. I'M ASKING THE BOARD TODAY TO MOVE BEYOND PUBLIC COMMENT AND FORMALLY PLACE A DISCUSSION TOUGH BACK FOR RON PARKER SKATE PARK ON A MEETING AGENDA.

I HEARD ONE COMMISSIONER HERE TO CHAMPION FOR OUR LOCAL YOUTH, SPONSOR THIS INITIATIVE AND DIRECT COUNTY STAFF TO HELP.

I'VE MET WITH FEW COUNTY MEMBERS AND THEY SAID THERE WAS MOMENTUM ON THIS IN THE PAST, YOU KNOW, ALWAYS OPEN TO A NEW PLACE, A NEW PROPOSAL BUT RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT YOUTH THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO BIKE TO A PARK AND THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY WHO MAY BE INTERVOTERS AND THIS IS KIND OF A VERY INCOME, LOW COST SPORT THAT EVERYONE CAN DO, MY SON INCLUDED. AND I URGE YOU TO GO TO HAMILTON UP CHURCH PARK AFTER SCHOOL ONE DAY AND IT'S CRAZY.

THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE AND THERE ARE ALSO YOUTH TO AGE 50 TO 60-YEAR-OLDS ON THE SKATEBOARDS.

IT'S COOL TO SEE BUT TAME IT'S KIND AT THE SAME TIME IT'S KIND OF DANGEROUS AND IT WOULD BE A HUGE ASSET.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS CHERYL FIELDS... BRANCH LANE, ST. JOHNS.

JUST QUICKLY, MY COMMENT IS REGARDING AN AGENDA ITEM ON LAS- SOMEWHAT REGARDING THE OUTPOST. MY HUSBAND RICKY FEELS AND RICKI OWN PROPERTY -- ALL LOCATED TOGETHER RIGHT ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACK. WE SUBMITTED A PRE-APPLICATION TO THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT ON APRIL 15TH, 2026 FOR A PROPOSED SMALL FOOD TRUCK PARK AT THIS LOCATION.

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A COUPLE DAYS AFTER OUR SUBMISSION, WE SAW THE CLOSURE OF THE OUTPOST FOOD TRUCK PARK ON THE NEWS, WHICH PIQUED MY INTEREST AS TO HOW THEY WERE EVEN ALLOWED TO OPEN.

609 WEST KING STREET IS DESIGNATED COMMERCIAL GENERAL AND HAS AN EXISTING VACANT TAKEOUT RESTAURANT ALONG WITH ASSOCIATED OUTDOOR SEATING. THIS IS THE STROH MAN'S BARBECUE AND WE HAVE RENTED IT OUT OVER THE YEARS.

THE PROPERTY HAS AN AREA DESIGNATED AS PARKING AND HAS AN ADA CLIENT BATHROOM. WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE UPGRADES TO THIS PROPERTY AND TURN IT INTO A SMALL FOOD TRUCK PARK AND WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS BY TAKING THE APPROPRIATE STEPS IN THE CORRECT ORDER AND FOLLOWING ALL LAWS AND ORDINANCES.

AFTER A DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING FOR OUR PROJECT ON MAY 6TH IN WHICH WE WERE ESSENTIALLY TOLD TO STAY TUNED, THERE MAY BE CHANGES AND THEN BY MY GOING AND WATCHIN THE MAY 5TH MEETING, I EMAILED BEVERLY FRASER QUESTIONING THE DECISION TO ALLOW THE OUTPOST TO RE-OPEN.

WE WERE FINALLY GIVEN A THOROUGH EXPLANATION OF THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OUR TWO PROJECTS.

WITH THAT SAID, I AM REQUESTING THAT MR. ROBERTSON, DIRECTOR OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT, AS HE LOOKS AT THE CHANGES TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODES FOR THE OUTPOST THAT I WOULD HOOK AT THE AREA OF WEST AUGUSTINE AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY SITE IS DEVELOPED FOR COMMERCIAL USE AND THAT FOOD TRUCK PARK/MOBILE VENDING ARE CURRENTLY CLASSIFIED AS A MORE INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL USE THAN ALLOWABLE. WITHIN THE CG ZONING AND WEST AUGUSTINE OVERLAY DISTRICT. I AM REQUESTING, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD PERMIT A SMALL FOOD TRUCK PARK ON THIS SITE AS EITHER A PERMANENT USE AND/OR AMEND THE CODE TO ALLOW MOBILE VENDING IN COMMERCIAL GENERAL ZONING.

EITHER AS THE PRINCIPAL USE OR ACCESSORY TO AN EXISTING ESTABLISHMENT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE CHAIR OF THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA AND HE WAS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS PROJECT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME? PLEASE COME ON UP. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M VICKY PEPPER.

I LIVE ON HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND I'M HERE AND PARTICIPATING MYSELF AND CARE [INDISCERNIBLE] CARE'S PURPOSE IS TO SERVE BLACK AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY AND LINKING THEM WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS. CARE HAS NOTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO URGE THAT AS A COMMUNITY, WE SHOULD USE WHATEVER TOOLS WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO OBTAIN MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EVEN WHILE WE ARE WAITING FOR REMOVAL OF THE SB180 IMPEDIMENTS.

SO YOU CAN RESUBMIT ST. JOHNS COUNTY'S UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. TWO OF THE TOOLS WE'VE NOTED REMAIN AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTY THAT WE'VE LONG URGED YOU TO WIELD EFFECTIVELY TOWARD OBTAINING MORE HOUSING, ATTAINABLE AT LOWER INCOME LEVELS ARE 1, REVISING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO BUILD IN MEANINGFUL INCENTIVES FOR DEVELOPERS TO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT HOUSING, AFFORDABLE TO BUYERS AND RENTERS AT LOW, VERY LOW AND EXTREMELY LOW INCOME LEVELS. AND 2, CONDITIONING YOUR DISCRETIONARY APPROVAL OF ZONING CHANGES SOUGHT BY DEVELOPERS UPON THEIR COMMITMENTS TO PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF HOUSING, AFFORDABLE TO COUNTY RESIDENTS AND/OR WORKERS AT LOWER INCOME LEVELS. SO WE CONTINUE TO URGE YOU TO DEVELOP AND EMPLOY THESE TOOLS AND WE ALSO URGE YOU AND THE STAFF TO SET CONCRETE ANNUAL GOALS FOR NUMBERS OF HOUSING UNITS AVAILABLE AT MODERATE, LOW AND EXTREMELY LOW INCOME LEVELS.

THESE ISSUES AND STRATEGIES ARE NOT BEING ADVOCATED AS CARE AS YOU KNOW IS AN INFORMAL INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP, YOUR OWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS ALSO CONSIDERING SIMILAR APPROACHES AND TOOLS TO INCREAS% OUR STOCK OF VARIOUS TYPES OF HOUSING AFFORDABLE AT DIFFERENT INCOME LEVELS.

YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO BE GETTING A LOT MORE ADVICE ABOUT SEVERAL THINGS YOU CAN AND SHOULD DO TO INCREASE ST. JOHNS COUNTY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK. AS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S UPDATED HOUSING STUDY AND OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLANNED UPDATING EXERCISE DEMONSTRATES, OUR NEED FOR HOUSING AFFORDABLE TO SENIORS AND OTHERS ON FIXED INCOMES AND A FULL RANGE EVER OUR WORKFORCE IS GREAT AND GROWING.

PLEASE HEED THIS ADVICE. THANK YOU.

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>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT, COME ON UP.

(APPLAUSE)GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KELLY MCTAGGERT, BOX 203 HASTINGS FLORIDA. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT ON A GREAT EVENT THAT OCCURRED LAST NIGHT IN HASTINGS.

24 CHILDREN WERE JOINED BY THEIR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, UNDER AND UNCLES, GUARDIANS, AND FAMILY FOR HASTINGS CUB SCOUT PACK 332.

THIS EVENT CULMINATED THE SCHOOL YEAR LONG CUB SCOUT ACTIVITIES WHERE THE CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND GROWING WERE RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED AT THEIR BLUE AND GOLD BANQUET.

THE EVENT TOOK PLACE AT THE LORD'S TEMPLE CITY OF REFUGE CHURCH WHICH IS THE SPONSOR FOR CUB SCOUT PACK 332.

THEIR GENEROUS OFFER OF A PLACE TO CALL HOME ALLOWS THESE YOUNGEST RESIDENTS OF SOUTHWEST ST. JOHNS COUNTY A SAFE AND LOVING PLACE TO GATHER AND EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLES OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WHICH SINCE 2018 OFFICIALLY HAS WELCOMED BOYS AND GIRLS TO JOIN CUB SCOUTS. IN 2019 THE ORGANIZATION BECAME SCOUTING AMERICA AND FULLY INTEGRATED GIRLS TO JOIN SCOUTS BSA TO EARN THE PRESTIGIOUS EAGLE SCOUT RANK.

BUT FOR NOW, IN HASTINGS, THANKS TO THE CHURCHES, THE BUSINESSES, THE RESIDENTS AND SUPPORT FROM THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA NORTH FLORIDA COUNCIL ST. JOHNS DISTRICT, ALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME TO TRY SCOUTING AND LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES, THEIR COMMUNITY, THE NATURAL WORLD AROUND THEM AND HOW TO BECOME GOOD CITIZENS, LOVING HELPING AND SUPPORTING OTHERS.

TO LEARN MORE HASTINGS CUB SCOUT PACK 332, GO TO BEASCOUT.ORG, SELECT CUB SCOUT FOR GRADES K THROUGH 5, ENTER THE ZIP CODE 32145 FOR PACK CONTACT AND INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME? GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD TO SEE Y'ALL. NAME IS BILL HEN HE IS I, 54614TH STREET. ST. AUGUST FLORIDA.

THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOAT RAMPS ARE CRAP.

YOU HAVE NO SIGNS TELLING YOU TRAILER PARKING ONLY.

IT'S A WILD, WILD WEST OUT THERE.

I'M TELLING YOU, SEND A SPOTTER OUT THERE FOR THE HOLIDAY AND DON'T TAKE IT FROM ME, I'M JUST SOME FOOL.

BUT I'VE BEEN LIVING IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 30 YEARS.

I'VE STOPPED PEOPLE FROM FIGHTING WHEN I'M DOWN THERE.

AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS. I'M LUCKY TO BE HERE.

Y'ALL KNOW THE SITUATION. DEATH AT THAT GODDAMN RAMP.

AND YOU THINK I GOT A CHIP ON MY SHOULDER? GOING TO AI GOT A BOULDER ON MY. I WANT TO TAKE IT OUT ON SOMETHING. WE'VE GOT THESE PEOPLE AT THE END OF THE ROAD WHO WANT TO PUT THEIR GODDAMN BOOT ON MY BACK.

>> WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE, PLEASE. >> IT'S A BUNCH OF -- OKAY, I'LL

LEAVE. >> THANK YOU.

>> FIVE YEARS I'VE BEEN UP HERE. FIVE YEARS AND Y'ALL HAVE DONE NOTHING. TAKE THE EAR PLUGS OUT, MAN.

YOU COULD COST PEOPLE THEIR LIVES.

Y'ALL ARE COMPLICIT WITH THEM PEOPLE AT THE END OF THE ROAD.

GO DOWN THERE TODAY AND IT'S FULL OF CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE FROM GOD [INDISCERNIBLE] MF ADDITION. AND THEY'RE PUTTING THEIR BOOTS ON PEOPLE. YOU'VE GOTTEN EMAILS AND TEXTS AND STUFF, HAVEN'T YOU? I'VE CALLED UP.

I'VE NEVER SENT A TEXT OR EMAIL.

I GOT A TRUCK AND I GOT A VOICE% AND I'M GOING TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. BUT YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION.

YOU ALL UP THERE TWIDDLING YOUR THUMBS.

IT COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT? MAN, LOOK AT Y'ALL. SAD.

REAL SAD. IF I WAS A TEACHER, Y'ALL WOULD ALL HAVE AN F. I WOULD TELL YOU TO MOVE ON SOMEWHERE ELSE. DROPPING THE MICROPHONE.

I'M OUTTA HERE, Y'ALL. I'LL COME BACK TO THE FIRST -- THE ONE NEXT MONTH BECAUSE THAT WILL BE THE DAY THAT I GOT BEAT

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UP. AND I'VE SPENT FOUR YEARS WITH THIS DOG HELPING ME AROUND. THANK GOODNESS FOR DOGS.

I'M GONNA USE EVERY SECOND I GOT.

JUST TO LOOK AT Y'ALL. PITIFUL.

THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY IS PITIFUL. WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT LAWYER YOU

WAS GONNA HIRE? >> GUYS, LET'S GET BACK TO THE

MEETING HERE PLEASE. >> PAL MEADOWS LANDING 32804.

THIS QUICK LESSON HERE SKIN TIESK SCIENTIFIC FACTS ABOUT HORSES, HEAT AND SHADE.

EXTREME THERMAL REGULATION STRESS, HORSES POSSESS A LARGE BODY MASS, MEANING THEY ABSORB HEAT.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE REST, THE ASPHALT AMPLIFICATION HE CAN.

AMPLIFICATION EFFECT. I'M TALKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE OF THE FELONY ANIMAL ABUSE DOWNTOWN.

THE HORSE CARRIAGE INDUSTRY. THIS WEEK I FOUND OUT WHO THE HORSE CARRIAGE GODFATHER IS. I KNOW YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT BUT IT'S JOE BOLES. THE MAN WHO ROBBED DEAD PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES, TURNED IN HIS LAW LICENSE AND THEY STOPPED THE INVESTIGATION. AND UNFORTUNATELY, NOBODY PICKED UP THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. BESIDES THE EXTREME HEAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TODAY I WANT YOU TO HEAR, THE OPTION OF SHADE IS MANDATORY. SO WHEN YOU GO BY THOSE HORSES AND THERE'S NO SHADE, THAT'S A FELONY.

BUT I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU BECAUSE I REALLY, REALLY WANT YOU TO SEE THESE CRIMINALS. SEE, WHEN I LOOK UP THE LAW, ACCESSORIES, ACCESSORIES, THAT'S WHO THEY ARE.

NOW FOLKS, YOU KNOW THESE FOLKS HERE.

WHY WON'T THEY DO ANYTHING? BECAUSE THE GODFATHER, JOE BOLES, TOLD THEM NOT TO. BECAUSE THE GODFATHER OF THE HORSE CARRIAGE MAFIA, YOU KNOW, OWNS HORSES CANCER THAT CARRIAGE GOT FROM JB HANSON WHO JB HANSON DIED.

HOW MYSTERIOUS, HUH? THE MAN WHO SAT ON THE COUNCIL ON AGING, JOE BOLES, CHAIRMAN, ROBBING PEOPLE FOR YEARS, IS SITTING UP IN THE CAROLINAS IN HIS MANSION.

AND MEANWHILE, THESE FELONS RIGHT HERE ARE AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT. REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO ITEMS

1 AND 2. >> ALL RIGHT, NEXT.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER GENERAL -- >> FOLKS, FOLKS, YOU DON'T NEED TO LAP AT CLAP AT EVERYTHING. WE DON'T MIND YOU SAYING THAT YOU APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE OF SOMETHING BUT WHEN YOU DISRUPT THE MEETING BUT CONTINUING INTO THE NEXT SPEAKER THEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM SO BE QUICK ABOUT YOUR APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

>> -- EXCUSES THE ACTIONS OF THOSE ARRESTS, THIS CONTINUES TO JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

I'M STILL WORKING ON GOOD NEWS, HOPEFULLY, ABOUT RECEIVING PUBLIC RECORDS FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

IT'S TAKEN A WHILE. NOW, REMEMBER, SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAVEN'T HEARD THIS: CIGARS CAN BE SMOKED ON ST.

JOHNS COUNTY BEACHES BUT NOT CIGARETTES.

ONE SMOKE, OTHER SMOKE ALLOWED, NOT ALLOWED.

QUESTION: HOW MANY TICKETS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT PEOPLE SMOKING CIGARETTES? I'M GLAD THE LADY BROUGHT THIS UP, FOOD TRUCKS. THE FOOD TRUCKS THAT WERE DISCUSSED AT YOUR LAST MEETING WERE ADVISED IN AUGUST 2025 WHAT

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IS REQUIRED. THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH DID OUTPOST PAY A LAWYER AND A SPOKESPERSON? THEY COME IN HERE, THEY WERE TOLD WHAT TO DO IN AUGUST AND THEN THEY COME IN AND MANIPULATE.

IT'S INTERESTING. AND ALWAYS, BECAUSE IT'S GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER, PEOPLE, BE CAREFUL WHEN VOTING FOR BCC COMMISSIONERS. ASK QUESTIONS AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT PUBLIC COMMENT SHOULD REMAIN BEFORE AGENDA ITEMS, AND IF IT'S NOT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT THROUGH ALL OF THESE AGENDA ITEMS AND YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU ASK THESE PEOPLE RUNNING FOR ELECTION HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE, YOU CAN JUST LOOK AT THEIR FACE AND THEY DON'T LIKE TO HEAR FROM US, BUT THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S JUST PART OF IT. AND I WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SHOWN UP WITH RED SHIRTS, AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER JOSEPH FOR BRINGING UP THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE IRON SITUATION THAT WAS HELD, BECAUSE -- IT'S OKAY TO BE IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S NEIGHBORHOOD? THAT WAS CONCERNING TO ME BECAUSE BRINGING THIS UP BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING, MORE OF THAT SHOULD BE DONE.

IF YOU HAVE YOUR COMMENTS, YOU HAVE THE ADMINISTRATORS AND THE LAWYER'S COMMENTS, THEN THE PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. SO I THANK EVERYONE IN RED SHIRTS, I HOPE EVERY ONE OF YOU GETS UP AND SPEAKS.

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME?

[Items 1 & 2]

>> WE'LL GO STRAIGHT TO -- WE ARE QUASI-JUDICIAL.

SO LET'S START OFF WITH THAT. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD?

YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

I HAD ALMOST 60 EMAILS. I ALSO HAD A MEETING IN THE OFFICE WITH MATT GLASS WHO IS THE OWNER OF MAIN STREET PIZZA.

IN ADDITION TO THAT I'VE SPOKE WITH COUNTLESS CHURCH RESIDENTS AND DID A MEETING AND A SITE VISIT DOWN THERE SEVERAL WEEKS

AGO. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> YES. I HAD 45 PLUS EMAILS AS WELL AS HANDWRITTEN LETTERS FROM CHILDREN AS WELL AS PEOPLE, WHICH WAS VERY INTERESTING. AND MEETING WITH MATT GLASS, OWNER OF MAIN STREET PIZZA, JEN ASHTON AND THE TEAM OF THE I ALSO DID GO FOR A SITE VISIT AT THE -- I THINK IT'S THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND MET WITH A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THERE AND

DID A SITE VISIT. >> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH,

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

MET WITH MATT GLASS HERE IN THE OFFICE AND OUR STAFF.

WE DISCUSSED THE SITE LOCATION AND THE NATURE OF THE PIZZA BUSINESS RIGHT THERE ON MAIN STREET.

I ALSO RECEIVED 63 OR MORE EMAILS, FELT LIKE A LOT MORE.

MIGHT HAVE BEEN OVER A HUNDRED EMAILS AND SOME HANDWRITTEN LETTERS THAT WERE MAILED TO THE OFFICE.

ALSO DID A MEETING AT MAIN STREET BAPTIST CHURCH WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO WHO ARE MAYBE E TODAY.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HASTINGS, THE HISTORY OF MAIN STREET, ALL THE NEW COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEN WE FINISHED THE MEETING BY TALKING ABOUT THE ONLY TWO THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD

BE CONCERNED ABOUT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH,

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YES, GREAT.

YES, I RECEIVED CLOSE TO AT LEAST 100 EMAILS ON THIS.

AND I DID -- I MET WITH MATT GLASS, OWNER OF MAIN STREET PIZZA, JEN ASHTON AND STAFF. I ALSO HAD A SITE VISIT THERE AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AND ALSO MET WITH A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF

THE CHURCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I ALSO HAD -- THIS SAYS 52 PLUS BUT IT WAS A LOT OF PLUS.

I ALSO HAD A MEETING WITH MATT GLASS, THE OWNER MUCH MAIN STREET PIZZA AND STAFF, ALSO HAD A SITE VISIT AND SPOKE WITH SEVERAL RESIDENTS FROM THE BAPTIST CHURCH AND ALSO OTHER CHURCHES AND OTHER RESIDENTS DOWN THERE, FARMERS, GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME DOWN THERE.

SO OTHER THAN THAT -- WE ALSO HAVE -- FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER G TO GO -- AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT APPEALS TO THE SAME RULING FROM THE PZA.

WHAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO DO IS EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE TO VOTE ON TWO SEPARATE ISSUES, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THIS ISSUE ALL

TOGETHER, IS THAT FAIR? >> THAT'S CORRECT, WE'VE CONSOLIDATED THE APPEAL SO YOU'LL HEAR THEM TOGETHER.

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>> OKAY, SO -- WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS GOD'S WAY BAPTIST CHURCH AT HASTE, MS. SMITH, HOW ARE YOU, IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU. YOU GET 20 MINUTES, THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HASTINGS, MR. BOYKINS YOU'LL GET 20 MINUTES AND THE APPLICANT FROM MAIN STREET PIZZA WILL GET 20 MINUTES.

WE'LL PROVIDE COMMENT AFTER THAT AND THEN A REBUTTAL, THEN DISCUSSION AND THEN MOTION. SO UNLESS THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE, MS. SMITH, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. WELCOME.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS WENDY SMITH.

I LIVE AT 9345 HASTINGS BOULEVARD IN HASTINGS.

I AM HERE REPRESENTING GOD'S WAY BAPTIST CHURCH OF HASTINGS INCORPORATED. SMITH WHO SENDS HIS REGARDS AND HIS REGRETS THAT HE'S UNABLE TO SAY BE HERE PERSONALLY WITH YOU THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF OUR REQUEST THAT YOU APPEAL THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD'S DECISION THAT TOOK PLACE ON FEBRUARY 19TH, 2026 TO GRANT THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT. FIRST THOUGH, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COUNTY.

AS YOU KNOW IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO THAT JEB SAT IN YOUR SEATS UP THERE, REPRESENTING OUR DISTRICT 2 AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMITMENT AND THE SACRIFICE THAT YOUR JOB TAKES.

I REMEMBER THE LONG HOURS THAT HE SPENT READING THE AGENDA PREP MATERIALS AND REGULATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT HIS DECISIONS WOULD BE BASED ON PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD UPHOLD AND ENFORCE THE RULES THAT WERE SET OUT BY THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE HIM AND TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND TH PROPERTY OWNERS IN THIS COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT THE CODES OF LAW WERE UPHELD SO I UNDERSTAND THE DEDICATION AND TIME THAT YOU TAKE TO DO THE SAME.

AS YOU ARE AWARE, SECTION 2.03.02 OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE WAS MODIFIED IN 2011 BUT IT HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY REVIEWED AND ACCEPTED SINCE THEN BY THIS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ESTABLISHING THE CONDITIONS AND LIMITATION TOSS GRANTING SPECIAL USE PERMITS TO ALCOHOL BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS. WHEN THIS RULE WAS ADOPTED IT WAS NOT ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING AND PREDICTABILITY BUT TO ALSO OFFER PROTECTION BECAUSE IN THE EVER GROWING POPULATION THAT WE EXPERIENCE HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, IT IS NECESSARY THAT THE PROTECTIVE PARAMETERS BE PLACED TO ENSURE THAT A SPECIAL USE PERMIT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONTIGUOUS AND SURROUNDING AREA AND WILL NOT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON SURROUNDING COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE RULE ALSO PROVIDES THAT A SPECIAL USE NOT BE A DETRIMENT TO THE PUBLIC GOOD.

THUS, THIS PARTICULAR CODE WAS MEANT TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF OUR SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS ERODED BY A DECISION BY YOUR VOLUNTEER BOARD OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY. PERSONALLY, MY HUSBAND AND HIS FAMILY HAVE LIVED HERE AND BEEN A PART OF THE HASTINGS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 100 YEARS. FOR ALMOST AS LONG FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HAS RESIDED IN THE SAME BUILDING FOR 99 YEARS.

GOD'S WAY BAPTIST CHURCH HAS OPERATED IN ITS LOCATION FOR OVER 25 YEARS. LIKEWISE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER CHURCHES IN HASTINGS THAT HAVE ALSO BEEN PILLARS AND LANDMARKS AND HAVE EXISTED FOR MANY DECADES, THAT ARE LOCATED WITHIN THAT 1,000 FEET PROPERTY LINE DISTANCE.

THROUGHOUT THESE YEARS, THE PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET FROM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SERVED AS SOMEBODY'S RESIDENTIAL HOME.

THAT'S RIGHT, THE BUILDING THAT HOWS MAIN STREET PIZZA AND WHICH IT OPERATES WAS SOMEBODY'S HOUSE UNTIL LESS THAN 48 MONTHS AGO.

LISTEN, WE DON'T MIND COMMERCIAL GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE DON'T MIND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. NEVERTHELESS IT IS VIOLATES THAT WE PRESERVE THE SANCTITY OF OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND RESPECT THE BOUNDARY THAT WE HAVE LAWS IN PLACE TO PROTECT.

CHURCHES ARE NOT ORDINARY NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES.

THEY ARE PLACES DEDICATED TO PRAYER, RECOVERY, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, FAMILY SUPPORT, FUNERALS, COUNSELING AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. WEEK AFTER WEEK, OUR CHURCHES PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ANGER, ADDICTION, ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY, BROKEN HOMES, BOUND BY THEIR

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SINFUL LIVES, SEEKING A WAY TO BREAK FREE AND DO BETTER, TO COME AND GET HOPE AND HEALING THROUGH GOD'S WORD AND COUNSELING FROM PASTORS AND TEACHERS AND THOSE THAT MAY DEALT WITH THE SAME STRUGGLES BEFORE THEM, WHO WILL LOVE ON THEM, PRAY WITH THEM AND HELP LEAD THEM OUT OF THE DARKNESS OF SIN INTO A LIFE MORABUND ANT THROUGH MORE ABUNDANT THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN FIND SUPPORT AND STABILITY AS THEY LEARN AND GROW.

APPROVING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR ALCOHOL SERVICE IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SUCH A MINISTRY DIRECTLY UNDERMINES THAT MISSION AND PURPOSE AND CREATES AN UNNECESSARY AND HARMFUL CONFLICT WITHIN THE AREA.

IT IS WHY THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS WERE ESTABLISHED.

OUR CHURCHES NOT ONLY PROVIDE FOR THE MORAL TRAINING OF OUR COMING GAITIONS, THEY PROVIDE A CONGREGATIONS, THEY PLAY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, SUNDAY SCHOOL, BIBLE STUDIES, FELLOWSHIP EVENTS AND A VARIETY OF YOUTH ORGANIZED GATHERINGS. SOME COME SEEKING REFUGE AND RESPITE FROM A HOME LIFE THAT IS ALREADY COMPLICATED BY ALCOHOLISM AND ABUSE. CHURCH LEADERS AND FAMILIES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THEIR CHILDREN WHY ALCOHOL ADVERTISING OR BAR RELATED ACTIVITY IS OCCURRING JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE VERY PLACE THAT THEY BRING THEM FOR WORSHIP, DISI'MLE SHIP AND MORAL INSTRUCTION.

ALLOWING ALCOHOL SERVICE IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY WEAKENS THOSE EFFORTS. I BELIEVE THE FOUR VOLUNTEERS THAT YOU HAVE SITTING ON THE PZA BOARD THAT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE APPLICANT DID NOT TRULY UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THEIR DECISION. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE PZA MEETING ON FEBRUARY 19TH WHO STATED THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE SPECIAL USE AND VARIANCE REQUEST, YET THE FINDINGS OF FACT IN THE FINAL ORDER REPORT STATES THAT THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION. HOW CAN THEY REPORT THAT THE REQUESTED USE PROMOTES THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE, MORALS, ORDER, ET CETERA OF THE AREA WHEN IT IS AN OPEN AIR PATIO SEATING RESTAURANT ON AN OUTDOOR SCREENED ONLY DECK WHICH SITS NOT ONLY LESS THAN 100 FEET FROM THE MAIN DOORS OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, IT'S NOT EVEN 5. I ASK THIS BOARD TO CAREFULLY ASK YOURSELVES WHETHER INTRODUCING ALCOHOL SERVICE SO VERY NEAR A PLACE OF WORSHIP TRULY SERVES THE PUBLIC GOOD OR MERELY ADVANCES A PRIVATE COMMERCIAL INTEREST AT THE EXPENSE OF COMMUNITY WELFARE. I WATCHED THE ARCHIVED VIDEO FROM THE FEBRUARY 19TH MEETING OF THE PASES AND I WAS OF THE PZA AND I WAS DISTURBED BY THE MISLEADING STATEMENTS PRESENTED BY THE APPLICANT. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THREE THAT STOOD OUT TO ME AS THE MOST BLATANTLY INCORRECT.

ONE SUCH EXAMPLE THAT WAS EMPHASIZED MULTIPLE TIMES AT THE MEETING AND IT KEEPS GETTING USED ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, SURVEYS AND NEWS OUTLETS IS THE FACT THAT THE DOLLAR GENERAL THAT IS LOCATED ACROSS THE ROAD NEXT TO DOMINO'S PIZZA SELLS AND SERVES BEER AND WINE.

IN FACT, THE DIRECT STATEMENT BY MR. GLASS AT THE PZA MEETING WAS "RIGHT OVER HERE IS THE DOLLAR GENERAL AND THEY DO SERVE BEER AND WINE 24 HOURS A DAY OUT OF THAT LOCATION".

AS YOU KNOW, FLORIDA STATE STATUTE ESTABLISH LICENSING REGULATIONS FOR RETAIL STORES SELLING MALT OR BEER BEVERAGES AND WINE FOR CONSUMPTION OFF PREMISES.

FR THIS REASON, THEY'RE EXEMPT FROM THE SECTION 2.03, 3.02 OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

DOLLAR GENERAL IS NOT OPEN 24 HOURS, NOR DO THEY SERVE BEER AND WINE TO CUSTOMERS. THEIR LICENSE IS PROTECTED BY

[01:20:01]

FLORIDA STATE STATUTE AND IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE WHO PURCHASES ALCOHOL FROM THEM TO CONSUME THEM ON SITE.

SECONDLY, I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR STATED THAT CHURCHES ARE A HARDSHIP TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

YET IT NEVER FAILS TO AMAZE ME HOW OFTEN MY FAMILY WAITS IN LINE WHEN WE GO OUT TO EAT AFTER CHURCH ON SUNDAYS.

WE CAN USUALLY TELL WHAT TIME OTHER CHURCHES LET OUT BY OBSERVING THE PEOPLE IN THOSE LINES.

IN FACT, NORMA DEE'S IN HASTINGS IS NOW OPEN ON SUNDAY AND TAKES ECONOMICAL ADVANTAGE OF THE BUSINESS PROFFERED THEM BY CUSTOMERS SEEKING A PLACE TO EAT OUT ON SUNDAYS.

THE FACT THAT OUR CHURCHES ARE FUNDED BY THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITS MEMBERS MAKES ME ALSO QUESTION THIS STATEMENT, AS I SEE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THESE MEMBERS MAKE THROUGH PHILANTHROPY AND INVESTMENTS IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. FINALLY, UPON CONVERSATIONS WITH PASTORS AND CHURCH MEMBERS, THERE IS A REAL CONCERN THAT BY NOT VOTING IN FAVOR TO APPEAL THE PZA DECISION, THERE WILL BE A PRECEDENT SET THAT SECTION 2.03.02 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHALLENGED AND MORE CHURCHES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY WILL BE THREATENED WITH THE LOSS OF PROTECTION THAT THIS RULE SHOULD PROVIDE TO THEIR PREMISES.

THIS CONCERN WAS MADE VIABLE WHEN I HEARD ON THAT VIDEO MR. GLASS STATE TO THE PZA THAT IN ORDER FOR HASTINGS TO REALLY DEVELOP ECONOMICALLY, SOMEBODY HAS TO BURST THIS BUBBLE AND ALLOW SOME TYPE OF ENTERTAINMENT IN TOWN.

YOU KNOW, IT HAS COST US A LOT OF MONEY TO APPEAL A DECISION THAT VEERED FROM THE CODE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREDICTABLE AND PROTECTIVE OF OUR CHURCH PROPERTY BOUNDARIES. I WOULD LIKE TO RESTATE THAT WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO RESTAURANTS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR LOCAL BUSINESS GROWTH. WE SIMPLY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE MORE APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS FOR ALCOHOL SERVICE THAT DO NOT COMPROMISE THE PEACE, MINISTRY AND PURPOSE OF A CHURCH NEXT DOOR. FOR THESE REASONS, I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE THIS APPEAL OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND THE VARIANCE AND PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY, SAFETY AND CHARACTER OF THIS AREA FOR

FUTURE GENERATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

BEN RODDA AND HE ALSO WILL BE ALLOWED 20 MINUTES.

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS PETE BOYKIN. I LIVE AT 235 DARK HORSE LANE, HASTINGS, FLORIDA AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HASTINGS. THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR APPEAL. FIRST, I THINK SOME BACKGROUND IS IN ORDER FOR THE RECORD: AN ORDINANCE, OWNERS 812 WAS ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 26TH, 1988 BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND IT WAS MODIFIED ON AUGUST 2ND, 2011.

IN STATES IN PART "NO VENDOR OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SOLD FOR CONSUMPTION ON SITE SHALL MAINTAIN A PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHIN A THOUSAND FEET OF AN ESTABLISHED CHURCH OR SCHOOL LOCATED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY". THE AUGUST 2ND AMENDMENT ESTABLISHED THE METHOD OF MEASURING THE DISTANCE.

THE ORDINANCE AND THE AMENDMENT ARE NOW CODIFIED IN ARTICLES 2, 6, 10 AND 12 OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

I WILL BE REFERRING TO THIS CODE SEVERAL TIMES THIS MORNING.

THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE GOVERNS LAND DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY, ARTICLE 2 OF THE CODE DEFINES PERMITTED USES FOR LAND AND PROVIDES FOR SPECIAL USES.

ARTICLE 2 SECTION 2.03.00 GOVERNS THESE SPECIAL USES UNDER THE CODE. ARTICLE 2 SECTION 2.03.01A OF THE CODE DETAILS THE GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE SPECIAL USES.

IT STATES IN A OF THIS SECTION THAT A SPECIAL USE SHALL NOT BE APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING -- SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY ONLY, UPON DETERMINATION THAT THE APPLICATION AND EVIDENCE PRESENTED ESTABLISH THE FOLLOWING THREE THINGS... ONE, ONLY IF THE SPECIAL USE CAN BE

[01:25:05]

GRANTED WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL DETRIMENT TO THE PUBLIC GOOD AND WILL NOT SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OR CODE.

AND 2, ONLY IF THE USE IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONTIGUOUS AND SURROUNDING AREA AND WILL NOT IMPOSE EXCESSIVE BURDEN OR HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACT ON SURROUNDING OR ADJACENT USES, OUR OWN COMMUNITY FACILITIES OR SERVICES.

AND 3, ONLY IF THE USE, WHICH IS LISTED AS A SPECIAL USE IN THE DISTRICT IN WHICH IT IS PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED, COMPLIES WITH ALL REQUIRED REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS OF ARTICLE 2.

IT STATES IN SECTION 2.03.01B THAT IT SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO PRESENT EVIDENCE IN THE FORM OF TESTIMONY, EXHIBITS, DOCUMENTS, MODELS, PLANS AND THE LIKE TO SUPPORT THE APPLICANT FOR APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL USE.

THE BURDEN OF DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL REST WITH THE APPLICANT.

IT ALSO STATES IN SECTION 2.03.01C THAT THE APPLICANT SHALL SUBMIT A DETAILED PLAN -- A DETAILED SITE PLAN SHOWING THE PROVISION FOR OFF-STREET PARKING AND IT STATES IN SECTION 2.03.01E THAT A SPECIAL USE SHALL NOT BE APPROVED IF THE SPECIAL USE WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON ADJACENT OR SURROUNDING LAND USES IN RESPECT TO NOISE AND THAT TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE SPECIAL USE SHALL NOT POSE A POTENTIAL DANGER TO THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS.

ONE OF THE SPECIAL USES THAT CAN BE GRANTED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY IS FOUND IN ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2.3.02 WHICH STATES THAT ALCOHOL BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS MAY BE PERMITTED AS A SPECIAL USE WITHIN DISTRICTS AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2.03.01 AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS... 1, NO VENDOR OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR CONSUMES ON SITE SHALL MAINTAIN A PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHIN 1,000 FEET OF AN ESTABLISHED SCHOOL OR WITHIN 1,000 FEET OF AN ESTABLISHED CHURCH. THIS SECTION ALSO STATES THAT A LICENSE APPLICANT AND HOLDER WHO IS PROHIBITED FROM THE SALE OF BEER AND WINE DUE TO THE DISTRICT'S REQUIREMENT DISTANCE REQUIREMENT FROM A CHURCH MAY APPLY FOR A VARIANCE.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE REASON FOR THE ISSUE BEFORE THE BOARD TODAY. A VARIANCE TO THE DISTRICT'S REQUIREMENT BETWEEN OUR CHURCH AND THE MAIN STREET PIZZA RESTAURANT WHICH APPLIED FOR AND IT WAS GRANTED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY ON FEBRUARY 19TH, 2026.

THAT LED TO OUR CHURCH'S APPEAL WHICH IS BEFORE YOU NOW.

I WILL SPEND THE REST OF THIS PRESENTATION DESCRIBING THE REASONS OUR CHURCH BELIEVES THAT THE VARIANCE SHOULD BE OVERTURNED BY THIS BOARD BASED ON ARTICLES 2, 6, 10 AND 12 OF THE COUNTY'S LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

THE VARIANCE APPROVED ON FEBRUARY 19TH, 2026 WAS REQUESTED BY THE MAIN STREET PIZZA RESTAURANT TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITHIN 1,00D CHURCH.

THE RESTAURANT WAS FIRST LICENSED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2023 WITHOUT A SPECIAL USE LICENSE TO SELL BEER AND WINE.

IT THEN OPENED IN JANUARY OF 2024.

THE THEN OWNER APPROACHED THE CHURCH AND ASKED IF WE WOULD OBJECT TO HIS SELLING BEER AND WINE.

HE WAS TOLD WE WOULD OBJECT TO IT IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OUR CHURCH. HE TOOK NO FURTHER ACTION.

THE RESTAURANT WAS THEN SOLD TO THE CURRENT OWNER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2025. THE NEW OWNER THEN FILED FOR A VARIANCE TO THE 1,000-FOOT RULE. THIS SCREEN GRAB -- THIS SCREEN GRAB FROM GOOGLE EARTH SHOWS FOUR CHURCHES WITHIN 1,000 FEET OF THE RESTAURANT. THE CHRIST UNITED THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, GOD'S WAY BAPTIST CHURCH, 844 FEET. THE PRAISE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 902 FEET. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF

[01:30:02]

HASTINGS, 25 FEET. THAT'S 25 FEET MEASURED PROPERTY LINE TO PROPERTY LINE ALONG THE SHORTEST ROUTE BETWEEN THE PROPERTY LINES SPECIFIED IN THE CODE.

IMPORTANTLY, IT IS 60 FEET FROM THE WINDOWS OF OUR CHURCH TO THE AREA WHERE ALL ON SITE DINING TAKES PLACE.

ALL FOUR CHURCHES WERE ESTABLISHED LONG BEFORE THE RESTAURANT WAS INITIALLY LICENSED TO OPERATE IN A CONVERTED HOME. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HASTINGS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1912 AND OCCUPIED THE CURRENT BUILDING SHOWN IN THE SCREENGRAB IN 1930. THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION THAT THIS CHURCH FALLS WITHIN THE DISTANCE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE AND EXISTED LONG BEFORE THE RESTAURANT.

AND THUS MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CODE IN ARTICLE TWO, SECTION 2.03.02. THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY'S OWN STAFF SUMMARIZED THE INTENT OF THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE VERY WELL WHEN THEY WROTE, AND I QUOTE, "THE ALLOWANCE TO INCLUDE THE RETAIL SALE AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITHIN 1000 FEET OF AN EXISTING CHURCH DOES NOT PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE, MORALS, ORDER, COMFORT, CONVENIENCE, PROSPERITY, OR THE GENERAL WELFARE OF RESIDENTS OF THE A AREA. THIS IS FOUND IN 2016 WHICH WAS A REQUEST TO ALLOW A GROCERY PARCEL TO INCLUDE THE RETAIL SALE AND CONSUMPTION ON SITE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITHIN 1000 FEET OF AN EXISTING CHURCH. THE REQUEST WAS DENIED.

MANY OF THESE THINGS MENTIONED BY STAFF IN THE ABOVE QUOTE ARE IN THE CODE AND THE FLORIDA COURT DECISION RELATING TO THE DISTRICT'S REQUIREMENTS, I WILL DISCUSS THESE LATER.

IN THE CASE OF THE CURRENT REQUEST FOR VARIANCE, THE RESTAURANT HAS NO INDOOR DINING. ALL ON SITE DINING IS ON THE OUTSIDE ON A SCREENED PORCH WITH NO SCREEN DOORS AND WITH OPEN ACCESS TO THE OUTSIDE. IN ADDITION, ALL OUTSIDE DINING IS ON THE CHURCH SIDE OF THE RESTAURANT.

THINK IF YOU WILL OF NOISE. RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE CHURCH, ESSENTIALLY ON THE CHURCH PREMISES.

60 FEET FROM THE CHURCH WINDOWS. THIS IS CLEARLY A VIOLATION OF ARTICLE TWO, SECTION 2.03.01, WHICH STATES, AND I QUOTE "A SPECIAL USE SHALL NOT BE APPROVED IF THE RELATED USE OR ACTIVITY WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON ADJACENT OR SURROUNDING LAND USES IN RESPECT TO NOISE," AND IN ADDITION TO OUR CHURCH THE RESTAURANT ABUTS IMMEDIATELY TO A RESIDENCE IN ITS BACK YARD. ESSENTIALLY, EVERY SUNDAY AND WEDNESDAY AND ON MANY OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK THERE ARE OVER 100 CHILDREN AT OUR CHURCH. THE FACT IS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ABOVE THREE YEARS OLD WORSHIPING AND PLAYING OUTSIDE AT OUR CHURCH ON MANY DAYS AND NIGHTS OF THE WEEK. THE ONLY THING THAT SEPARATES THEM FROM THE RESTAURANT IS THE 25-FOOT WIDE STREET.

THE RESTAURANT HAS ONLY ONE MARKED PARKING SPOT, AND THAT IS MARKED FOR HANDICAPPED USE. ALL OTHER PARKING IS IN THE YARD IN THE REAR OF THE BUILDING. ALL OTHER PARKING IS IN THE YARD IN THE REAR OF THE BUILDING, WHICH IS NOT MARKED FOR PARKING IN ANY WAY. THIS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF ARTICLE TWO, SECTION 2.0, WHICH REQUIRES THAT ALL STREET PARKING -- AND OFF STREET PARKING PLAN, AND ARTICLE SIX SECTION 6.05.02, WHICH REQUIRES ONE OFF STREET PARKING SPACE FOR EACH THREE SEATS AT A RESTAURANT. THE RESTAURANT HAS 48 SEATS, THUS REQUIRING 16 OFF STREET PARKING SPACES ADEQUATELY MARKED AND ON ADEQUATE SURFACE WITH TIRE BUMPERS AND ROOM FOR MANEUVERING TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE.

[01:35:03]

AS IS EVIDENT, MOSTLY STREET PARKING ON THE MAIN STREET AND STANTON STREET WITHIN 25 FEET SEPARATING OUR CHURCH, THAT PLACES CHILDREN AT PLAY AND CARS AND DRIVERS HAVING CONSUMED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN EXTREMELY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER, INVITING A CALAMITY THAT NONE OF US WANT TO SEE HAPPEN.

THIS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF THE LANGUAGE IN ARTICL TWO, SECTION 2.03.01-E THREE WHICH STATES, QUOTE, "TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE PROPOSED SPECIAL USE SHALL NOT POSE A POTENTIAL DANGER TO SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS. IT MUST BE ESTABLISHED THAT THE VARIANCE IS COMPATIBLE WITH CONTIGUOUS AND SURROUNDING AREA AND WILL NOT IMPOSE AN EXCESSIVE BURDEN OR HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACT ON SURROUNDING OR ADJACENT USAGE OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES OR SERVICES. THE VARIANCE DOES NOT MEET THESE CRITERIA. THAT THE VARIANCE COMPLIES WITH ALL REQUIRED REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS OF ARTICLE TWO OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. AS SHOWN, IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIRED REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS.

IN ARTICLE TEN OF SECTION 10.04 .03, WE FOUND THAT THE BCC SHALL NOT VARY THE REQUIREMENTS OF ANY PROVISION OF THE CODE UNLESS IT MAKES A POSITIVE FINDING BASED ON SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT THE PROPOSED VARIANCE WILL NOT SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC, AND THAT THE EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED VARIANCE IS IN HARMONY WITH THE GENERAL INTENT OF THIS CODE AND THE SPECIFIC INTENT OF THE RELEVANT SUBJECT AREAS OF THE CODE. CLEARLY THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

IF THIS VARIANCE IS OVERTURNED, AND WE BELIEVE IT WILL BE, TWO THINGS BECOME OBVIOUS. THE COUNTY COMMISSION IS STILL SERIOUS ABOUT PROVIDING THE PROTECTIONS SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE FOR THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION IS SERIOUS ABOUT MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY IN THE COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. THERE CAN BE NO CLEARER CASE FOR DENYING A VARIANCE IN THIS CASE. IF THIS APPEAL IS NOT UPHELD, IT WILL BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DENY SUCH A VARIANCE IN THE FUTURE. ACCORDING TO THE RELIGIOUS CENSUS OF 2020, THERE ARE MANY CHURCHES IN THE FIVE DISTRICTS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND THERE ARE TWO BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONS.

THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION AND PART OF THE FIRST COAST BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, WHICH INCLUDES CHURCHES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY. THESE CHURCHES HAVE OVER 12,000 MEMBERS. THE PASTORS FROM THESE CHURCHES SIGNED THE LETTER YOU RECEIVED FROM DOCTOR GREER TO EXPRESS THE INTEREST OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN THE OUTCOME OF THIS APPEAL.

WE ALL RESPECTFULLY URGE THE UPHOLDING OF THE CURRENT LANGUAGE AND OVERTURNING OF THE VARIANCE GRANTED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY. DOING SO WILL AFFIRM YOUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN, PRESERVING THE SANCTITY OF PLACES OF WORSHIP, AND MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY IN COUNTY REGULATIONS.

LIMITATIONS BETWEEN... ARE WELL ESTABLISHED IN FLORIDA LAW. THE SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE LIMITATIONS, STATING IN THE CASE OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN MIAMI IN 1939 THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE ENACTMENT WAS OF COURSE TO MAKE THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF ESTABLISHMENTS SELLING INTOXICATING LIQUOR. THAT'S IN SOUTHERN 148.

IN 1963 THE FLORIDA THIRD DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL REFUSED TO ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS REQUIRING OFFICIALS TO ISSUE AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE WITHIN 1500 FEET OF AN EXISTING CHURCH OR CITY WHERE CITIES ORDINANCE PROHIBITED SUCH A

[01:40:02]

LICENSE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE COURT UPHELD A LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S RIGHT TO HAVE AN ORDINANCE RESTRICTING THE ISSUANCE OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE WITHIN 1500 FEET OF A CHURCH AND REFUSED TO ORDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE SUCH A LICENSE.

THAT'S IN SOUTHERN SECOND, 6388. AND THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS IN FLORIDA UPHELD A 150N THE CASE OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE VERSUS NICHOLAS ALLEY, IN 1981 THAT THE RESTRICTION WAS, QUOTE, "A VALID EXERCISE OF THE CITY'S POLICE POWER FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HEALTH AND MORALS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC," AND THAT'S IN SOUTHERN SECOND, 1319.

ON JUNE 27TH, 2002 IN THE CASE OF ORANGE COUNTY VERSUS COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION, IN FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CASE SOUTHERN SECOND 732, UNRELATED TO A CHURCH, THE COURT UPHELD A COUNTY ORDINANCE REQUIRING A 5000-FOOT SEPARATION BETWEEN PACKAGED GOODS STORES, STATING, QUOTE, "IT WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL EXERCISE OF POLICE POWER TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND MORALS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC,.." BASED ON THIS PRESIDENT'S, SHOULD THIS VARIANCE NOT BE OVERTURNED HERE, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT FLORIDA'S DISTRICT COURT IN JACKSONVILLE WILL UPHOLD OUR APPEAL. BUT AT WHAT COST TO OUR CHURCH AND COUNTY TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HEARING OUR

APPEAL. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL NOW HAVE THE APPLICANT FOR 20 MINUTES. GOOD MORNING.

>> THIS IS FUN. EVER SEE THAT MOVIE FOOTLOOSE? THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I FEEL LIKE IS GOING ON HERE.

GOOD EVENING -- GOOD AFTERNOON, GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MATT GLASS, THE OWNER OF MAIN STREET PIZZA.

I WANTED TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR US TODAY AND TO PRESENT OUR CASE. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHURCHES THAT FILED THE APPEAL. I UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERNS AND RESPECT THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN THE HASTINGS COMMUNITY.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT US VERSUS THEM.

IT'S ABOUT WHETHER THE BOARD SHOULD UPHOLD CAREFULLY CONSIDERED CODE COMPLIANT DECISIONS MADE BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY. IN FEBRUARY 2026, THE PGA AFTER A FULL STAFF REVIEW AND PUBLIC HEARING APPROVED OUR REQUEST FOR CASE VVR2025-32, ZONING VARIANCE, A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE ON SITE SALE OF BEER AND WINE STRICTLY AS AN ACCESSORY TO OUR EXISTING FAMILY RESTAURANT.

I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO RESPECTFULLY UPHOLD THAT DECISION. WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS BEER AND WINE ONLY, WHICH IS AT 2P LICENSE, SERVED EXCLUSIVELY WITH MEALS TO SEATED PATRONS ONLY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11-9PM, WHICH OUR EXISTING RESTAURANT HOURS.

WE ARE THINKING ABOUT EXTENDING SOME HOURS OF OUR RESTAURANT, HOWEVER WE WOULD MAKE A COMMITMENT TO CUT THAT ALCOHOL OFF AT 9PM. WE OFFER IT AFTER THE PRZ MEETING, WE ARE STILL OFFERING TO WORK WITH THE CHURCH ON ANY CONDITIONS THAT SHOULD BE SUITABLE.

WHAT WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR, IS LIQUOR, SPIRITS, COCKTAIL BAR OR TAVERN ATMOSPHERE. PACKAGE SALES TO TAKE HOME, LATE NIGHT USERS OR AMPLIFIED MUSIC OR OUTDOOR BAR SCENE.

WE ARE A RESTAURANT, NOT A BAR. WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS SIMPLE. THE RIGHT TO SERVE BEER AND WINE AS AN ACCESSORY TO MEALS TO OUR CUSTOMERS THAT ALREADY COME IN.

WE ARE NOT LOOKING TO RECRUIT A WHOLE NEW CROWD THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG BURDEN ON THE HASTINGS COMMUNITY.

THIS IS WHAT FAMILY RESTAURANTS ACROSS ST. JOHN'S COUNTY DO EVERY SINGLE DAY. WHERE ARE WE HERE? THE CODE WAS WRITTEN EXACTLY FOR THIS SITUATION.

THE CODE READS "A LICENSED APPLICANT AND HOLDER WHO IS ENGAGED IN CONDUCTING A BONA FIDE RESTAURANT ESTABLISHMENT WHICH HAS TABLES CAPABLE OF SERVING NO LESS THAN 30 PERSONS SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF SERVING MEALS,

[01:45:01]

BUT WHO IS OTHERWISE PROHIBITED FROM THE SALE OF BEER OR WINE DUE TO THE LOCATION OF SUCH BUSINESS WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM A SCHOOL OR CHURCH MAY APPLY FOR A VARIANCE TO PERIT THE SALE OF BEER AND/OR WINE.

THE COUNTY DID NOT WRITE THIS EXEMPTION BY ACCIDENT.

THEY WROTE IT PRECISELY BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZE THAT A LEGITIMATE FAMILY RESTAURANT SERVING BEER AND WINE WITH MEALS IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT THAN A BAR OR LIQUOR STORE OR PACKAGED SALES ESTABLISHMENT. LET'S GO THROUGH EACH REQUIREMENT. BONA FIDE RESTAURANT, YES, WE ARE. WE SELL ENTIRELY PIZZA, FOOD, ICE CREAM. PERMANENT KITCHEN FACILITIES.

SEATING FOR 30 PEOPLE, YES. ALL SALES TO PERSONS PATRONIZED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE MAIN PURPOSE OF ORDERING AND CONSUMING FOOD. YES INDEED.

BEER AND WINE SERVED ONLY TO SEATED PATRONS, NO WALK UP BAR, NO HAPPY HOUR. WE MEET EVERY SINGLE CRITERIA IN THE CODE. THE PRZ FOUND THIS, COUNTY STAFF FOUND THIS. WE ASK THE BOARD TO AFFIRM WHAT THE CODE CLEARLY PERMITS. THE HASTINGS OVERLAY DISTRICT ALSO SUPPORTS OUR APPLICATION. THE HASTINGS OVERLAY DISTRICT LDC TABLE 31204 EXPRESSLY PERMITS RESTAURANTS WITH ON SITE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN COMMERCIAL GENERAL ZONING VIA SPECIAL USE PERMIT. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE APPLIED FOR AND EXACTLY WHAT WAS GRANTED.

THIS IS NOT A WORK AROUND, THIS IS NOT AN EDGE CASE.

THE OVERLAY DISTRICT WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF HASTINGS MAIN STREET.

IT EXPLICITLY LISTS ALCOHOL SERVICE BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT AS AN AUTHORIZED USE IN OUR ZONING DISTRICT.

THE CODE WAS WRITTEN TO ALLOW THIS, TWO SEPARATE PROVISIONS OF THE POINT IN THE SAME DIRECTION. APPROVAL IS APPROPRIATE HERE.

ALL VARIANTS AND SPECIAL USE CRITERIA ARE FULLY SATISFIED.

MAIN STREET PIZZA IS LOCATED IN COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN HASTINGS. THE PROXIMITY TO FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, NOBODY IS DENYING THAT. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 49 FEET.

YOU GUYS MEASURED IT DIFFERENTLY, 25 FEET PROPERTY LINE TO PROPERTY LINE IS AN EXISTING PRE-ESTABLISHED PHYSICAL CONDITION. WE DID NOT -- I'M THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS BUSINESS. I DID NOT MOVE NEXT TO THE CHURCH. WE ARE A BUSINESS OPERATING IN A COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR. THE LOCATION OF THE CHURCH IS NOT A CONDITION WE CREATED AND DOES NOT ALTER THE FUNDAMENTAL APPROPRIATENESS OF A RESTAURANT IN A COMMERCIAL ZONE.

UNDUE HARDSHIP WITHOUT RELIEF. DENYING THIS VARIANCE WOULD PREVENT A FAMILY OWNED RESTAURANT, THE ONLY RESTAURANT THAT SERVES HASTINGS IN THE EVENING, FROM OFFERING THE SAME LIMITED SERVICE THAT MANY OTHER ST. JOHN'S RESTAURANTS ALREADY ENJOY. THIS IS A GENUINE HARDSHIP.

CUSTOMERS WHO WANT A GLASS OF WINE WITH THEIR DINNER WILL SIMPLY TAKE THEIR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE, TAKING THEIR DOLLARS OUT OF HASTINGS. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR RECOGNIZING THE SHRINKING MARGINS AND THE ECONOMIC DETRIMENT THAT IS APPARENT IF YOU DON'T LOOK OUT FOR THE ECONOMIC INTEREST WHETHER YOU MENTIONED THE CLOSURE AND THE LOSS OF REVENUE WITH THE TRIATHLON.

IN TODAY'S REALITY, WITH FOOD COSTS GOING UP AND FUEL GOING UP, WE AS A RESTAURANT NEED TO BE AS ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS NOT CONTRARY TO PUBLIC INTEREST. THE USE IS LIMITED TO BEER AND WINE ONLY SERVED WITH MEALS DURING RESTAURANT HOURS.

THERE'S NO LATE NIGHT ACTIVITY, NO OUTDOOR BAR SCENE.

THERE IS ON SITE PARKING AND NO AMPLIFIED MUSIC.

COUNTY STAFF REVIEWED THESE FACTS AND RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

THE PZA AGREED. SPECIAL USE PERMIT CRITERIA.

NO SUBSTANTIAL DETRIMENT TO PUBLIC GOOD.

STAFF FOUND NONE. THE USE IS LOW INTENSITY, FOOD PRIMARY RESTAURANT OPERATION WITH STRICT CONDITIONS AND WE ARE OPEN TO EVEN ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO BE GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE COMPATIBLE AND CONTIGUOUS WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA. MAIN STREET PIZZA IS SURROUNDED BY COMMERCIAL USES ON MAIN STREET.

ADDING BEER AND WINE WITH MEALS DOES NOT CHANGE THE CHARACTER, THE INTENSITY, OR THE CLIENTELE OF OUR BUSINESS.

OR OF HASTINGS. PROMOTES PUBLIC WELFARE.

YES INDEED IT DOES. THIS RESTAURANT CREATES JOBS, PAYS LOCAL TAXES, KEEPS RESIDENTS FROM LEAVING THE COUNTY TO PLACES TO SPEND THEIR MONEY, AND SUPPORTS DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION. THIS IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF

[01:50:01]

PROMOTING THE GENERAL WELFARE. SO THE APPEAL.

GOD'S WAY BAPTIST CHURCH HAVE FILED TWO APPEALS ARGUING THE PGA FINDINGS OF FACT ARE DEMONSTRABLY FALSE.

THEIR APPEALS DO NOT MEET THE STANDARD FOR THIS PROCEEDING TODAY. THEY'VE NOT COMMITTED ONE PIECE OF SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE OF ACTUAL HARM, NO CRIME STUDIES, NO POLICE REPORTS, NO TRAFFIC DATA, NO EXPERT TESTIMONY.

THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY'S OWN MEMO TELLS YOU WHAT THE LEGAL STANDARD IS. GENERALIZED OPINIONS AND DISLIKED ORAL POTENTIAL MORAL HAZARDS DO NOT CONSTITUTE COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. BOTH APPEALS, WERE BOTH CASES IN THE APPEALS THEY CITE ARE FROM TWO OLDER FLORIDA CASES.

ONE IS FROM 1939. IN 1939, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE ANY WOMEN ON THIS COMMISSION.

A VERY DIFFERENT TIME. HERE IS THE CRITICAL DISTINCTION THAT HAS BEEN MISSED. THOSE CASES WERE ABOUT WHETHER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAD THE AUTHORITY TO ENACT DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS AT ALL. TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OF THE CODE ITSELF. NO ONE HERE IS CHALLENGING THE 1000-FOOT RULE. WHAT HAPPENED HERE IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT. THE COUNTY EXERCISED ITS SEPARATE ESTABLISHED AUTHORITY TO GRANT A VARIANCE FROM THAT RULE, WHICH THE CODE EXPLICITLY PROVIDES FOR.

THESE ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT LEGAL QUESTIONS.

THE CASES CITED ARE SIMPLY INAPPLICABLE TO TODAY'S PROCEEDING. TO OVERTURN THE PZA'S FINDINGS, THE APPELLANTS NEEDED TO CHALLENGE THE SPECIFIC FINDINGS OF FACT. OF THE EIGHT FINDINGS OF FACT IN THE PZA FEBRUARY 2026 FINAL ORDER, THE APPELLANTS TAKE ISSUE WITH ONLY ONE AND PROVIDE NO FACTUAL COUNTER-EVIDENCE FOR EVEN THAT ONE. THE REMAINING SEVEN REMAIN UNCONTESTED. LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CLAIMS.% THEY ARE CLAIM, BEING WITHIN 50 FEET PROVES INCOMPATIBILITY. THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT PROXIMITY ALONE IS NOT A PLANNING STANDARD.

THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE THOUSAND FOOT DISTANCE RULE IS A THRESHOLD TRIGGER. IT'S WHAT REQUIRES YOU TO APPLY FOR A VARIANCE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ONCE YOU ARE IN THE VARIANCE AND SPECIAL USE PROCESS, THE BOARD MUST EVALUATE THE APPLICATION AGAINST THE ACTUAL LEGAL CRITERIA. DOES IT CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DETRIMENT? IS IT INCOMPATIBLE WITH SURROUNDING LAND USE? DOES IT IMPAIR A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN? NONE OF THESE CRITERIA SAY HOW FAR AWAY IS THE CHURCH. PROXIMITY IS NOT ON THAT LIST.

WHEN THE CHURCH IS SAYING IT'S ONLY 50 FEET AWAY, THEY ARE ASKING THE BOARD TO DENY THE PERMIT BASED SOLELY ON DISTANCE, WHICH IS THE VERY THING THAT THE VARIANCE PROVISION IN THE LDC IS FOR. WHY HAVE A VARIANCE PROCESS AT ALL IF WE KEEP GOING BACK TO 1000 FEET? THE VARIANCE IS THERE TO GIVE RELIEF FROM THAT FOR A BONA FIDE RESTAURANT LIKE OURS. THE CLAIM THAT THIS WILL CREATE A PRECEDENT FOR EVERY ONE. EACH APPLICANT IS REVIEWED INDEPENDENTLY ON ITS OWN MERITS. OUR APPROVAL IS TAILORED TO THE SPECIFIC BONA FIDE RESTAURANT THAT MEETS ALL THE VARIANCE CRITERIA. THESE CONDITIONS ARE LOCATION SPECIFIC. THERE IS NO PRECEDENT THAT FORCES THE BOARD OR THE PZA TO APPROVE EVERY FUTURE APPLICATION. EVERY FUTURE APPLICANT WILL FACE THE SAME SCRUTINY THAT WE HAVE. THE CLAIM ALCOHOL NEAR A CHURCH HARMS YOUTH AND MORALS. THERE'S NO CRIME STUDIES, NO POLICE REPORTS, NO TRAFFIC DATA, EXPERT TESTIMONY WAS SUBMITTED.

MORAL OBJECTION WITHOUT MEASURABLE LAND USE IMPACT DOES NOT MEET THE QUASI JUDICIAL EVIDENTIARY STANDARD.

THE REQUEST CONFLICTS WITH FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION IS ANOTHER CLAIM. THE COUNTY'S OWN STAFF REPORT STATES THAT THIS IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION. THE HASTINGS OVERLAY EXPRESSLY CONTEMPLATES RESTAURANTS AND ALCOHOL VIA SPECIAL USE PERMIT.

STAFF DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS THE APPELLANTS CLAIM ON THIS POINT.

[01:55:02]

LET ME GO BACK HERE. LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHO ACTUALLY IS SELLING ALCOHOL IN HASTINGS TODAY.

THE DOLLAR GENERAL SELLS PACKAGED BEER AND WINE WITH NO VARIANCE NEEDED, EXEMPT BY CODE, AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER.

CIRCLE K, SAME SITUATION. AND RIGHT HERE IN HASTINGS, WITHIN 500 FEET OF GODS WAY BAPTIST CHURCH, WHICH IS ONE OF THE APPELLANTS, THERE'S AN EVENT VENUE ON MAIN STREET THAT SERVES FULL LIQUOR. NOT BEER AND WINE, FULL SPIRITS, COCKTAIL AND LIQUOR. BUT BECAUSE IT OPERATES AS AN EVENT VENUE UNDER A DIFFERENT PROVISION OF THE CODE, IT DID NOT NEED TO OBTAIN A VARIANCE OR SPECIAL USE PERMIT.

IN HASTINGS YOU CAN BUY A PACKAGED BEER AND WINE TO TAKE HOME WITH NO VARIANCE NEEDED. YOU CAN ATTEND AN EVENT WHERE FULL LIQUOR IS SERVED WITH NO VARIANCE NEEDED.

BUT THE ONLY RESTAURANT OPEN FOR DINNER IN HASTINGS CANNOT SERVE YOU A GLASS OF WINE OR A BEER WITH YOUR PIZZA.

IF THE PURPOSE OF THE 1000-FOOT RULE IS TO PROTECT CHURCHES AND CHILDREN FROM THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, AND I RESPECT THAT PURPOSE DEEPLY, THEN SURELY A SEATED FOOD FIRST FAMILY RESTAURANT OPERATING UNDER THE STRICTEST CONDITIONS IS LESS OF A CONCERN THAN THE ALTERNATIVES THAT ALREADY EXIST WITHOUT RESTRICTION. DENYING OUR APPLICATION WHILE THE VENUE OPERATES WITH FULL LIQUOR AND THE DOLLAR GENERAL SELLS PACKAGED BEER IS NOT PROTECTING ANYONE.

IT'S AN UNEQUAL APPLICATION OF RULES.

AND I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER THIS. REMEMBER THAT PICTURE, THEY SHOWED ALL THE CHURCHES POINTING TO OUR LOCATION? EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS IN HASTINGS IS WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A CHURCH. IF THE CHURCHES ARGUMENT WERE ACCEPTED AT FACE VALUE, IT WOULD MEAN THAT NO RESTAURANT IN ALL OF DOWNTOWN HASTINGS COULD EVER SERVE BEER OR WINE.

THAT CANNOT BE WHAT THE CODE CONTENDS.

>> ORDER, PLEASE. >> THE LEGAL STANDARD OF REVIEW.

THIS IS A DE NOVO QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING.

THE STANDARD IS COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.

LET'S COMPARE WHAT EACH SIDE HAS PRESENTED.

NO CRIME STUDY, NO EXPERT A LEGAL ARGUMENT BASED ON PROXIMITY AND MORAL HAZARD. CASE CITATIONS THAT CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OF THE CODE ITSELF, WHICH IS NOT APPLICABLE HERE BECAUSE WE AREN'T CHALLENGING THE CODE.

WE ARE ACTUALLY COMPLYING WITH THE CODE.

OUR CHALLENGE TO ONLY ONE OF THE EIGHT FINDINGS OF FACT WITH ACTUAL NO COUNTER-EVIDENCE. WHAT WE HAVE PRESENTED HERE THAT THE STAFF CONFIRMS THAT THE USE IS COMPATIBLE WITH COMMERCIAL GENERAL ZONING AND COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL FUTURE LAND USE.

THE HASTINGS OVERLAY DISTRICT EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZES FOR THIS USE VIA SPECIAL USE PERMIT. THE SPECIFIC RESTAURANT EXEMPTION IN LDC, A TRACK RECORD OF RESPONSIBLE OPERATION OF OUR RESTAURANT. NO ADVERSE IMPACTS IDENTIFIED BY ANY COUNTY DEPARTMENT. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHOULD NOT OVERTURN A QUASI JUDICIAL FINDING OF FACT SIMPLY BECAUSE SOMEBODY DISAGREES WITH IT.

THIS IS NOT HOW THE PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO WORK.

THE APPELLANTS DO NOT MEET A STANDARD FOR THEIR APPEAL TO BE UPHELD. LET'S ADDRESS SOME OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS OF THE YOUTH. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE CHURCH'S CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, THE INFLUENCE OF YOUTH PROGRAMS DIRECTLY AND HONESTLY, BECAUSE THEY DO DESERVE A REAL ANSWER.

ON THE FEAR OF DRUNK DRIVING AND HARM TO PEDESTRIANS, I THINK THE ARGUMENT IS A LITTLE BIT HYPERBOLIC.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THIS VARIANCE AND THIS SPECIAL USE WOULD LEAD TO ANY SUCH INCIDENTS.

FOR ANY SUCH INSTANCES TO OCCUR, TWO SEPARATE VIOLATIONS WOULD HAVE TO OCCUR. FIRST OF ALL, WE WOULD HAVE TO OVERSERVE, AND SECONDLY, A PERSON WOULD HAVE TO KNOWINGLY GET IN THEIR CAR INTOXICATED. WE CLOSE AT 9PM AND CAN COMMIT TO NOT SERVING ALCOHOL PAST 9PM. I GUESS I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME A LITTLE BIT. ON THE FEAR OF INFLUENCING YOUTH PROGRAMS, WE ARE A FAMILY-FRIENDLY, COMMUNITY ORIENTED ESTABLISHMENT. THE MAJORITY OF OUR CUSTOMERS BRING THEIR CHILDREN. ADDING BEER AND WINE DOES NOT

[02:00:03]

CONVERT US TO AN ADULT VENUE. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE.

PARENTS ALREADY BRING THEIR KIDS TO OUR RESTAURANT FOR PIZZA AND ICE CREAM. HASTINGS IS CHANGING.

THE COUNTY HAS INVESTED IN A NEW TECHNICAL COLLEGE, NEW LIBRARY, AND NEW BUSINESS OWNERS ARE COMING IN WITH A MISSION TO REVITALIZE MAIN STREET. THE COMMUNITY IS EVOLVING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION. THE COMMUNITY STRONGLY SUPPORTS THIS DECISION. OVER 30 EMAILS AT LEAST WERE SENT TO THE BOARD IN SUPPORT OF US.

OVER 237 FACEBOOK COMMENTS ON THE NEWS FOUR JAX STORY.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN THAT.

IF YOU HAVEN'T, I WOULD ASK YOU TO TAKE A MOMENT IN YOUR DELIBERATIONS AND READ THROUGH SOME OF THE COMMENTS.

WE ARE NEVER GOING TO OUT BODY THE PRESENCE OF THE CHURCH HERE AND THEIR OPPOSITION TO THIS. BUT THE SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE IS OVERWHELMING OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS.

58 PETITION SIGNATURES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SUPPORT OF THIS APPROVAL. EVERY CUSTOMER WHO COMES TO OUR RESTAURANT SPENDS MONEY IN HASTINGS.

NOT OUTSIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE SUPPORT LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND THE LOCAL TAX BASE. WE ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE COUNTY'S OWN INVESTMENT IN THE HASTINGS TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND NEW LIBRARY. WE SEND THE RIGHT SIGNAL FOR MAIN STREET REVITALIZATIONS THAT BUSINESSES CAN INVEST AND THRIVE HERE. DENYING US SENDS THE WRONG SIGNAL. IN TODAY'S ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, WITH RISING FOOD COSTS, FUEL COSTS, THE VIABILITY OF RESTAURANTS ARE DEPENDENT ON THEM USING ALL MEANS AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO SERVE THE COMM COMMUNITY. A THRIVING MAIN STREET IN AMERICA IS DEFINED BY LOCAL RESTAURANTS, CAFES, WALKABILITY AND COMMUNITY GATHERING. BEER AND WINE WITH DINNER IS PART OF THAT ECOSYSTEM, NOT A THREAT TO IT.

IN CLOSING, SINCE I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME, WE ASK YOU TO FIRST UPHOLD THE EIGHT FINDINGS OF FACT MADE BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY. SECOND, RECOGNIZE THAT THE APPEAL FAILS IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND FAILS LEGAL AID.

THIRD, MEETS EVERY REQUIREMENT OF THE LDC SECTION.

>> THANK YOU MR. GLASS. >> GREAT JOB.

ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OR QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANTS?

>> OKAY. WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1 AND NUMBER 2. PLEASE COME UP.

YOU WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

>> TOM MILLS. I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD GRANT THE APPELLANT THIS APPEAL AND NOT SELL ALCOHOL NEAR CHURCHES, SCHOOLS. WANT TO REMIND YOU, THE PHOTOS SHOWED A LOT OF CHILDREN. AND ALTHOUGH I DON'T LIKE TO ADMIT THIS, THERE WAS A TIME THAT I DRANK THE DEVIL S SWEAT.

THE DRINKING AGE WAS 18 IN MASSACHUSETTS AND I WAS A FOOL.

I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT AT LUNCH TIMES, WHEN I WOULD GO TO LUNCH FROM MY FIRST JOB, I SLAMMED BEERS.

IT'S VERY COMMON. I'D SLAM A COUPLE BEERS, GO BACK TO THE JOB BUZZED. THAT IS VERY COMMON.

FOLKS, I'M REALLY AGAINST ALL KINDS OF ALCOHOL NOW.

I REALIZE THAT IT REALLY IS DANGEROUS.

BUT I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU. I HOPE YOU CAN TIGHTEN UP THAT ORDINANCE. THE ONE THAT SCARES ME MORE THAN ALCOHOL RIGHT NOW IS THIS INFUSED DRINKS.

I HAD SOMEBODY HAND ME -- I. DO OCCASIONALLY DRINK A RED BULL.

WHEN I HAVE ORLANDO RUNS OR DOUBLE RUNS, I'VE GOT TO ADMIT, ENERGY DRINKS AREN'T GOOD. SOMEBODY HANDED ME A DRINK.

I DIDN'T KNOW AND I SAW THAT WORD, INFUSED, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I HAD TO WHIP OUT THE PHONE TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON, READ THE LABEL.

THESE THINGS ARE INFUSED WITH THC.

THIS IS WEED. SOMEONE COULD GO IN AND BUY AN INFUSED DRINK AND TAKE A RIDE. THEY'RE GOING TO BE FLOATING.

[02:05:04]

I GAVE THE DRINK BACK AND SAID, PLEASE DON'T GIVE ANYBODY THIS AGAIN. SO ANYWAYS, FOLKS, I DO HOPE YOU END THIS. AND BY THE WAY, THIS GENTLEMAN WHO'S GOT THE PIZZA SHOP? IF HE WANTS TO MAKE MORE MONEY, THE LATEST IN THE FOOD BUSINESS, JUST READ IT, DRONE DELIVERY.

SO HE CAN MAKE EXTRA PROFIT, THE DRONE WOULD COME DOWN, DELIVER THAT AWESOME FOOD THAT HE'S SELLING.

AND IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING FOR THE COMMUNITY.

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS CHRISTINE. I LIVE AT 9760 MCMAHON AVENUE IN HASTINGS. I'M OBVIOUSLY A MEMBER OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HASTINGS. AND IN HONOR OF TRANSPARENCY, MY HUSBAND IS REVEREND BENJAMIN, THE ADMINISTRATIVE PASTOR OF FIRST BAPTIST HASTINGS. I COME TO YOU THIS MORNING BECAUSE SAFETY IS A PRIMARY CONCERN FOR EVERYONE.

ONE WAY TO ENSURE SAFETY IS TO CREATE A BUFFER TO SEPARATE ONESELF FROM ANYTHING THAT MAY CAUSE HARM.

FOR EXAMPLE A FIRE HYDRANT HAS A BUFFER.

YOU CANNOT PARK WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT.

IT'S A BUFFER FOR SAFETY. AIRPORTS REQUIRE CERTAIN DISTANCE BETWEEN PLANES, BUILDINGS, AND EQUIPMENT.

A BUFFER FOR SAFETY. WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT REQUIRES A DEFENSIBLE SPACE BETWEEN BUILDINGS AND VEGETATION, A BUFFER FOR SAFETY. CONSTRUCTION SITES REQUIRE SPACE BETWEEN OTHER BUILDINGS AND WALKWAYS.

A BUFFER FOR SAFETY. THIS HEARING REQUIRES A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE GALLERY, A BUFFER FOR SA SAFETY. THE CURRENT CODE REQUIRES 1000 FEET BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL.

THE REAL LIFE DISTANCE BETWEEN -- I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS ON A MAP, I'M TALKING ABOUT IF YOU ARE AT THE CHURCH OR AT THE RESTAURANT, IS THE WIDTH OF STANTON STREET.

STANTON STREET IS 25 FEET WIDE. MY CANE IS 25 FEET FROM YOUR DESK. THAT'S NOT EVEN INCLUDING ALCOHOL. YOU REQUIRE MORE THAN 25 FEET BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT HERE TO CAUSE TROUBLE.

YOU ARE NOT -- I'M SORRY. THE ONLY WAY THE PROPRIETOR AND MANAGEMENT OF MAIN STREET PIZZA CAN GUARANTEE A PERSON WILL NOT LEAVE THEIR PREMISES INEBRIATED IS TO STAND BY THE ENTRANCE WITH A BREATHALYZER. AND I DO NOT SEE THAT HAPPENING.

IT WOULD BE VERY INCONVENIENT. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW DRUNKENNESS THIS CLOSE TO OUR CHILDREN OR THE CHILDREN OF THE OTHER CHURCHES WITHIN THIS BUFFER. THIS BUFFER THAT IS THERE FOR SAFETY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT, COME ON UP.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ASHLEY.

MY HUSBAND AND I ARE MEMBERS OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HASTINGS. WE HAVE EIGHT CHILDREN, THREE IN COLLEGE, THREE IN ACTIVE YOUTH GROUP AND TWO IN THE TODDLER CLASS. SO THIS ISSUE DIRECTLY IMPACTS OUR FAMILY ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS IN OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY.

OUR CHURCH IS NOT A PLACE THAT'S JUST OPEN ON SUNDAYS.

IT IS AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY FOR FAMILIES THE ENTIRE WEEK.

OUR FAMILY ALONE IS THERE FOUR DAYS A WEEK AND HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN COME THROUGH THE CAMPUS REGULARLY.

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT OUR CHURCH HOSTS APPROXIMATELY 125 CHILDREN AND TEEN LEADERS. DURING VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL THAT NUMBER GROWS APPROXIMATELY TO 165 CHILDREN EVERY NIGHT FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK. IN THE COMING WEEKS WE WILL ALSO BE OPENING A NEW GYM FACILITY. THAT WILL WILL HOST SPORTS CAMPS, OPEN GYM NIGHTS, YOUTH ACTIVITIES, AND ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS THROUGH THE ENTIRE YEAR. MANY OF THE CHILDREN WHO COME TO OUR CHURCH DO SO BECAUSE IT IS A SAFE PLACE FOR THEM SOME COME FROM HOMES AFFECTED BY ADDICTION, ALCOHOL ABUSE, INSTABILITY, AND DIFFICULT FAMILY SITUATIONS.

FOR MANY OF THESE CHILDREN, CHURCH IS MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING, IT IS A REFUGE. I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THIS APPEAL IS NOT ROOTED IN ANGER TOWARDS MAIN STREET PIZZA.

WE HOPE THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL. MY FAMILY HAS EATEN THERE MANY TIMES AND ENJOYED THEIR PIZZA AND WE INTEND TO CONTINUE

[02:10:02]

SUPPORTING THEM AS A LOCAL BUSINESS.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT OPPOSING THE RESTAURANT.

THIS IS ABOUT THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL OCCURRING ONLY 25 FEET FROM A CHURCH CAMPUS FILLED WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WEEK. THE DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED BETWEEN CHURCHES AND LOCATIONS SERVING ALCOHOL WERE CREATED FOR A REASON, TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL SEPARATION BETWEEN FAMILY CENTERED SPACES AND ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION TAKES PLACE.

IN THIS CASE THERE IS NO MEANINGFUL SEPARATION.

AT ONLY 25 FEET AWAY, THE ATMOSPHERE CREATED BY LATE NIGHT ACTIVITY AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION DIRECTLY IMPACTS OUR CHURCH PROPERTY. DURING KARAOKE NIGHTS AND EVENING EVENTS, THE NOISE AND ROWDINESS CAN CLEARLY BE HEARD FROM OUR YOUTH AREAS AND RESPECTFULLY, HOW CAN WE CONTINUE OFFERING A REFUGE TO CHILDREN TRYING TO ESCAPE ADDICTION, ALCOHOL ABUSE AND INSTABILITY AT HOME WHEN THE VERY ENVIRONMENT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM IS ONLY 25 FEET FROM OUR DOORS? APPROVING THIS VARIANCE GOES AGAINST THE INTENT OF PROTECTION ALREADY ESTABLISHED BY LAW AND SETS A CONCERNING PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE REQUEST IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS APPEAL IS NOT ABOUT JUDGMENT AND IT'S NOT ABOUT PREVENTING BUSINESS GROWTH.

IT IS ABOUT PROTECTING A SAFE FAMILY CENTERED ENVIRONMENT FOR THE MANY CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS WHO DEPEND ON OUR CHURCH.

PROXIMITY DOES MATTER AND 25 FEET IS SIMPLY TOO CLOSE.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M VICKI PEPER. I LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.

ON THIS AGENDA ITEM I'M SPEAKING ONLY AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN.

SELLING WINE AND BEER AT A PIZZA PARLOR DOES NOT ESPECIALLY AFFECT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

THE REASON I WANTED TO SPEAK TODAY IS BECAUSE THANKS IN PART TO A COUPLE OF CARE MEMBERS WHO LIVE IN HASTINGS, I'VE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS BEEN PLEASED TO OBSERVE THE ONGOING TRANSFORMATION OF THAT COMMUNITY.

THE FIRST TIME I VISITED HASTINGS, I SAW A LARGELY BLIGHTED DOWNTOWN AREA. AS I RECALL, THERE WAS ONLY ONE DINER THAT COULD SERVE AS A PLACE TO GATHER AND SHARE A MEAL WITH FRIENDS AND IT CLOSED AFTER LUNCH.

NOW THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF THE COUNTY AND HASTINGS MAIN STREET, THE NEW COUNTY LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER THAT'S ABOUT TO OPEN, A NUMBER OF NEW BUSINESSES AND THE VENUE ARE BRINGING HASTINGS BACK. IT'S NOW A THRIVING COMMUNITY.

ONE IMPORTANT PART OF THAT IN MY VIEW OF THAT REVIVAL HAS BEEN MAIN STREET PIZZA. IN THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT MANY DIFFERENT CULTURES AND POINTS OF VIEW. WE HAVE A LOT OF FREEDOM IN THIS COUNTRY TO LIVE AND WORSHIP AS WE WANT.

AND WE MUST LIVE IN HARMONY TOGETHER.

LAWS, ORDINANCES, EVEN ZONING REGULATIONS HELP US NAVIGATE OUR DIFFERENT VALUES AND PREFERENCES SO WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER.

WE MUST OFTEN MAKE TRADE OFFS TO RECONCILE COMPETING VALUES AND INTERESTS AND ACHIEVE FAIR OUTCOMES FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. I LOVE MAIN STREET PIZZA AND GENERALLY STOP BY WHENEVER I'M IN HASTINGS.

I KNOW HOW CLOSE IT IS TO CHURCHES.

I GET WHY WE HAVE ZONING REGULATIONS THAT ESTABLISH A GENERAL RULE THAT ALCOHOL SHOULD NOT BE SOLD WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE OF HOUSES OF WORSHIP. I AGREE IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW A ROWDY BAR OR HONKY TONK TO OPEN NEXT TO A CHURCH IN A QUIET COMMUNITY. I ALSO NOTE THAT THE CODE PROVISIONS CITED MAKES AN EXCEPTION FOR ESTABLISHMENTS THAT SELL ONLY BEER AND WINE. I GO TO CHURCH AND ON OCCASION I ALSO LIKE TO HAVE A COLD BEER WITH MY PIZZA.

WE HAVE A PROCESS THAT ALLOWS OFFICIALS TO EVALUATE INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS AND CAREFULLY WEIGH AND BALANCE THE COMPETING INTERESTS INVOLVED. THE PZA DID THIS AND AUTHORIZED MAIN STREET TO SELL WINE AND BEER WITH MEALS DURING ITS REASONABLE BUSINESS HOURS. AS HASTINGS AND ITS ECONOMY CONTINUE TO GROW STRONGER, I THINK HASTINGS WOULD LIKE TO ATTRACT OUTSIDE VISITORS, AND HAVING ROBUST DINING AND SHOPPING OPTIONS CAN ONLY HELP. IF THE MEMBERS OF CHURCHES IN HASTINGS CHOOSE NOT TO PATRONIZE THIS ESTABLISHMENT, THAT'S THEIR PREROGATIVE. BUT DON'T UNREASONABLY LIMIT THE OPTIONS OF PATRONS WHO HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT.

I DON'T SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING AN OCCASIONAL BEER OR GLASS OF WINE HURTS THESE CHURCHES, WHICH REPRESENT VERY STRONG FAITH TRADITIONS. THIS IS A NICE FAMILY RESTAURANT AND ICE CREAM PARLOR, AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY.

HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE WHEN IT'S BEEN PARTICULARLY CROWDED OR NOISY. I'M CONFIDENT THE ESTABLISHMENT WILL WORK WITH ITS NEIGHBORS TO ADDRESS ANY PARTICULAR CONCERNS

OR ISSUES THAT ARISE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

I DON'T REPRESENT MAIN STREET PIZZA OR EITHER OF THE CHURCHES.

I'M NOT A FORMAL PARTY TO THIS LAW.

I'M HERE BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT THE DECISIONS AND THE APPLICATION OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

I WANT TO START BY SAYING I RESPECT BOTH CHURCHES.

THEY'RE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

[02:15:02]

THEIR CONCERNS DESERVE TO BE HEARD.

BUT RESPECTFULLY, THIS DECISION CAN'T JUST BE BASED ON GENERALIZED DISCOMFORT. IT HAS TO BE BASED ON THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. MAIN STREET PIZZA IS AN EXISTING RESTAURANT IN A COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR.

THE PROPERTY IS COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL ON THE LAND USE MAP, AND LOCATED WITHIN THE OVERLAY DISTRICT.

IT'S COMPATIBLE BASED ON ITS COMMERCIAL DESIGNATION AND RESTAURANTS WITH ON SITE ALCOHOL ARE PERMITTED ZONING THROUGH THE SPECIAL USE PROCESS. THIS MATTERS BECAUSE THE CODE DOES NOT CREATE AN ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION ON THE DISTANCE.

SPECIFICALLY THERE IS A VARIANCE PATHWAY FOR RESTAURANTS TO SERVE BEER AND WINE. THAT EXISTS FOR A REASON.

IF PROXIMITY TO A CHURCH IS ENOUGH TO DENY THIS REQUEST, THE COURT IS EFFECTIVELY READING THAT RESTAURANT PROVISION OUT OF THE CODE. THE SAME FACT THAT TRIGGERS THE VARIANCE PROCESS CAN'T ALWAYS BE USED AS THE AUTOMATIC REASON TO DENY IT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN HASTINGS. THE RECORD SHOWS MULTIPLE CHURCHES WITHIN 1000 FEET OF THE PROPERTY.

IN A SMALL HISTORIC COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR, THIS APPROACH DOESN'T JUST AFFECT MAIN STREET PIZZA, IT SETS A PRECEDENT THAT COULD DISCOURAGE ALMOST ANY FUTURE RESTAURANT FROM BEER AND WINE WITH MEALS EVEN... AND TO BE FAIR AND HONEST, IT'S NOT AN ALCOHOL FREE ZONE AS IT EXISTS.

THERE IS A DOLLAR GENERAL, A CIRCLE K THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED AD NAUSEAM. THE BOARD SHOULD IN MY OPINION BE LOOKING AT THE ACTUAL COMPATIBILITY FACTORS.

TRAFFIC, NOISE, R, SANITATION, IMPACTS ON SURROUNDING USES AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE TODAY THAT HAS LED TO THAT.

IF THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT WORSHIP HOURS, YOUTH ACTIVITIES, OUTDOOR SERVICE, SIGNAGE, ALCOHOL SALES, THE LDC ALREADY HAS REASONABLE CONDITIONS AND PROVISIONS TO ADDRESS THAT.

THAT'S IN MY OPINION WHY THE PZA VOTED THE WAY THEY DID.

BUT RESPECTFULLY, THE CHURCHES HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD AND THEY SHOULD BE HEARD. BUT THAT SHOULD NOT REPRESENT VETO POWER OVER ANOTHER SMALL BUSINESS THAT'S SIMPLY TRYING TO OPERATE. I THINK THE GENTLEMAN THAT BROUGHT UP THE IDEA OF THC INFUSED DRINKS, THAT'S A VERY INTERESTING POINT. I DID SEE THAT ACROSS THE STREET AT CIRCLE K. I WAS THERE AT 2:30 ON A SUNDAY.

I'LL BE HONEST, THERE WASN'T ANYTHING GOING ON AT THE CHURCH.

THERE WERE NO CARS IN THERE. IT WAS IN MY OPINION A VERY WELL

RUN ESTABLISHMENT. >> THANK YOU.

NEXT, COME ON UP. >> WE'VE GOT THREE DIFFERENT MICROPHONES, AND YOU ARE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO COME UP AND

FILL UP ALL THREE SPOTS. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS DALE BARNES. I RESIDE AT 7470 IN ELKTON.

I'M A LIFETIME RESIDENT OF THE HASTINGS AREA.

OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THE FARMING INDUSTRY FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS IN HASTINGS. WE ALSO HAVE AN AG BUSINESS AND PROPERTY IN HASTINGS. I'M A MEMBER OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN HASTINGS. I OPPOSE THIS VARIANCE THAT WAS GRANTED TO MAIN STREET PIZZA AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY. MAIN STREET PIZZA WAS PURCHASED KNOWING THERE WAS AN ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITED ALCOHOL SALES WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A CHURCH, AND IF THEY DID NOT KNOW IT, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THEIR REALTOR.

THERE ARE FOUR CHURCHES THAT FALL WITHIN A 1000-FOOT RANGE.

TWO OF THESE CHURCHES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED 100 YEARS, OTHERS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CURB IS 25 FEET FROM THE MAIN STREET PIZZA CURB.

MAIN STREET PIZZA HAS NO INSIDE SEATING AND THE OUTSIDE PORCH SEATING FACES THE CHURCH. SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK THERE IS A HIGH POPULATION OF PEOPLE AT THE CHURCH, MOSTLY CHILDREN, 100 PLUS WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE MULTI-USE BUILDING THERE WILL BE YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS ALMOST EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

MAIN STREET PIZZA DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PARKING SPACES FOR ITS CUSTOMERS, SO THE OVERFLOW WILL BE IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT.

WHY WAS THIS ORDINANCE PUT IN PLACE? THE FOLKS DID THEIR HOMEWORK. FOR ONE THING, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. THESE ARE THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE HIGH POPULATIONS OF PEOPLE, MOSTLY CHILDREN, SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO WALK 1000 FEET. THAT BEING SAID, IF SOMEONE HAPPENS TO OVERINDULGE IN ALCOHOL AND GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL TO DRIVE AWAY, AT LEAST THEY WOULD BE A LOT FURTHER AWAY FROM THESE HIGHLY POPULATED AREAS WITH MOSTLY CHILDREN.

IN MY OPINION, IF THIS VARIANCE IS NOT OVERTURNED, YOU WILL NOT

[02:20:02]

BE ABLE TO UPHOLD THE ORDINANCE IN THE FUTURE.

I HAVE A CDC. THIS IS DATA FROM CDC ON ALCOHOL USE. MORE THAN HALF THE FOLKS IN THE UNITED STATES DRINK ALCOHOL. 17% ON OCCASION BINGE DRINK.

THAT'S SCARY, 17%. THEY DRINK FOUR OR MORE DRINKS.

THAT BEING SAID, IN A PERFECT WORLD IT WOULD BE GREAT IF EVERY ONE WAS GOING TO HAVE A BEER WITH THEIR MEAL ONLY HAD ONE OR TWO. BUT LOOKING AT THE STATISTICS, SOME WILL HAVE FOUR OR FIVE, WALK 25 FEET ACROSS THE ROAD WITH POSSIBLY 100 KIDS IN THERE AND GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AND LEAVE. THE ONE THING EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM WILL AGREE ON IS THAT WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR KIDS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT, GOOD MORNING.

>> MY NAME IS BRANDY ROWE. I LIVE AT 1525 PRINCE ROAD.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE THIS MORNING SIMPLY AS A RESIDENT WHO WANTS TO SUPPORT MAIN STREET PIZZA AND ASKS TO UPHOLD THE ORIGINAL APPROVAL. THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD ALREADY SPENT A LOT OF TIME VETTING AT THEIR FEBRUARY MEETING. THEY LOOKED AT THE FACTS, THE COUNTY RULES AND VOTED TO APPROVE BECAUSE THIS RESTAURANT SITS IN THE COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR DOWNTOWN HASTINGS.

IT'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY BUSINESS THAT BELONGS ON MAIN STREET. SINCE THE BOARD ALREADY DID THE HEAVY LIFTING AND APPROVED THE SPACE ON COUNTY GUIDELINES, IT SEEMS ONLY FAIR THAT TO OVERTURN THE DECISION TODAY THERE WOULD NEED TO BE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FACTUAL PROOF THAT A RULE WAS BROKEN. PERSONAL PREFERENCES SHOULDN'T OUTWEIGH THE ZONING RULES WE ALL RELY ON.

THE ORIGINAL APPROVAL ALREADY INCLUDES STRICT COUNTY CONDITIONS TO ENSURE THE RESTAURANT IS A BALANCED ADDITION TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE SYSTEM WORKED EXACTLY THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO AND I JUST ASK THAT YOU STAND BY THE BOARD'S DECISION AND LET THE LOCAL BUSINESS MOVE FORWARD.

>> JENNIFER ASHTON, 422 NORTH MAIN STREET.

AS A ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I HAVE EXCITEDLY JOINED IN ON THE HISTORIC RESTORATION AND REVITALIZATION OF HASTINGS MAIN STREET. MY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED CAFE HAS BEEN SELLING BEER AND WINE SINCE 2016.

THE SALES ANNUALLY ACCOUNT FOR LESS THAN 1% OF MY TOTAL SALES.

WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY NOISE OR SAFETY ISSUES.

GET REALLY IS AN ACCESSORY SALE TO OUR COFFEE, BAKED GOODS, AND FOOD. AS WE LOOK FORWARD TOWARDS SOON OPENING OUR SECOND LOCATION, WE ENVISION THE SAME THING FOR HASTINGS. A NICE FLORIDA CRAFT BEER OR MIMOSA ENJOYED WITH FOOD. HOPEFULLY WE CONTINUE OUR RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS, KEEPING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FROM HASTINGS RESIDENTS AND KEEPING DINING OPTIONS LOCAL.

HASTINGS DESERVES THRIVING BUSINESSES.

IF THE VARIANCE PROVISION FOR BONA FIDE RESTAURANTS IS NEVER APPLIED IN CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THIS, THEN THE PROVISION BECOMES MEANINGLESS SINCE MUCH OF HASTINGS IS WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A CHURCH AND CHURCHES ARE INTERWOVEN THROUGH DOWNTOWN.

WE REALLY SUPPORT THE VARIANCE ORIGINALLY GRANTED TO MAIN STREET PIZZA AND WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN THE THRIVING HASTINGS AREA.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT, GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AMANDA MOONEY.

THIS IS JUST A PHOTO THAT WAS TAKEN.

I'M FROM HASTINGS. THIS IS A PHOTO TAKEN BY CHURCH MEMBERS, THIS IS OVERFLOW PARKING FOR MAIN STREET PIZZA IN OUR PARKING LOT. THAT GIVEN, SAFETY IS A CONCERN FROM US. WE DO NOT HOLD ANY ILL WILL AND OFTEN DO GO TO THIS PIZZERIA. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN. THERE ARE CALZONES ARE GREAT.

THIS BEING SAID, FOR SAFETY, THIS IS MY SON, AND HE WAS HIT BY A DRIVER FOR A HIT-AND-RUN AND WAS A STAGE THREE.

THE DETECTIVE SAID THEY'D NEVER SEEN SURVIVE.

I HAVE PERSONALLY NEVER BEEN IN AN ICU THAT SOMEONE HAS MADE IT OUT OF. HE WAS LUCKY, HE BROKE BOTH LEGS. NOW HE HAS INJURIES AND WILL HAVE SEIZURES FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

THIS IS ONGOING TO WHERE HE WILL HAVE TO GET A SERVICE DOG AND IS NOT ABLE TO GET HIS LICENSE AS THE REST OF HIS SIBLINGS.

THIS IS HIS CHURCH YOUTH GROUP THAT CAME UP TO JACKSONVILLE TO HAVE A PRAYER IN FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR HIM.

THIS CHURCH MEANS SO MUCH TO OUR FAMILY AND TO THE COMMUNITY, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THE FACT THAT MAYBE NEXT TIME THE CHILD WILL NOT BE AS LUCKY AS WE WERE.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT, GOOD MORNING.

>> MY NAME IS ELIAS TAYLOR. I'M 18 YEARS OLD AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

[02:25:02]

I AM NEW TO THE CHURCH, I STARTED GOING PROBABLY SIX MONTHS AGO. I WENT TO COLLEGE AND STARTED COMING BACK. FROM THE CHURCH I FOUND A GREAT COMMUNITY. THEY HELP CHILDREN OUT ALL THE TIME. MY FAMILY, MY MOM JUST SPOKE.

ALL OF OUR SIBLINGS GO THERE EVERY DAY.

WE ARE THERE ABOUT FOUR TIMES A WEEK.

I GREW UP IN NAPA VALLEY CALIFORNIA WHERE ALCOHOL IS SOLD WIDELY IN THE TOWN. AND THAT AFFECTED A LOT OF MY FRIENDS, MY FAMILY, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND ME.

I HAVE SEEN MY FRIENDS AT A YOUNG AGE START DRINKING BECAUSE OF ALCOHOL BEING SOLD RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM US.

AND GROWING UP IN THAT CAUSED A LOT OF MY FRIENDS TO GET INTO ADDICTION. I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO REHAB AND A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF STRUGGLES FROM BEING IN THAT TOWN AND GROWING UP IN A TOWN THAT ALCOHOL IS SO KNOWN AND SOLD WIDELY.

I'M UP HERE JUST TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT ALL MY LITTLE SIBLINGS GO TO THIS CHURCH. I HAVE A 1-YEAR-OLD SISTER, A 3-YEAR-OLD BROTHER. I HAVE TWO OLDER SIBLINGS, AND A TWIN BROTHER THAT GOES THERE SOMETIMES.

WE GO THERE FREQUENTLY. FOR ME THAT IS NOT GOOD.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE SO MUCH HARM TO MY LITTLE SIBLINGS. I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY AT THIS CHURCH. THEY ARE MY FAMILY NOW AND HELPED ME MORE THAN ANY ONE ELSE HAS.

THEY HAVE SHOWN ME SO MUCH, GIVEN ME SO MUCH SUPPORT.

TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE HELPED ME THROUGH TIMES THAT HAVE AFFECTED ME AND KNOWING THEY HELPED SO MANY OTHER KIDS FROM BACKGROUNDS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ALCOHOL AND PEOPLE GETTING DRUNK AND GOING HOME AND STUFF. THEY HELPED THEM OUT.

THEY GIVE THEM A HOME AND A FAMILY TO PRETTY MUCH LIVE FOR.

THEY COME TO THIS CHURCH KNOWING THEY ARE SAFE, AND HAVING ALCOHOL 25 FEET AWAY IS NOT SAFE.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M NOT HERE REPRESENTING ANYONE, I'M HERE IN PERSONAL CAPACITY. I HEARD SOME OF THE FOLKS BEFORE THIS MENTION ABOUT ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING AND ACTIVITIES ARE A DETRIMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. AS FAR AS BAR ACTIVITIES.

I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT. EXCEPT THAT'S NOT WHAT MAIN STREET IS DOING. IT'S NOT A BAR.

THEY AREN'T GOING TO BE ADVERTISING ALCOHOL.

I ALSO HEARD THERE WERE OTHER LOCATIONS THAT WERE AVAILABLE.

AS OTHER FOLKS HAVE MENTIONED, THAT'S NOT REALLY THE CASE.

THERE ARE SO MANY CHURCHES IN HASTINGS THAT PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE MAIN STREET IS WITHIN A THOUSAND FEET OF ANY CHURCH.

ALSO SOME OF THE CASES THAT WERE CITED WERE FOR ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF THE UNDERLYING CODE, AND THAT'S NOT THE PROCESS HERE.

THIS IS BECAUSE OF -- THIS IS THE APPEAL PROCESS FOR EXCEPTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED AND VARIANCE IS GRANTED TO THOSE CODES. SO THERE'S NO ATTACKING BY MAIN STREET AS TO THE UNDERLYING AUTHORITY TO HAVE THE CODE ITSELF. THE PLANNING AND ZONING STANDARD, AS WAS MENTIONED, ARE WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL DETRIMENT TO THE PUBLIC GOOD AND WILL NOT SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE INTENT OF THE ST. JOHN'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OR DEVELOPMENT CODE AND IT HAS TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH ADJACENT PROPERTIES AND THAT THERE IS NO PARTICULAR DANGER. HOWEVER, THE BOARD STANDARD ON AN APPEAL, THE PROCESS IS A PRESENTATION OF COMPETENT AND SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED HERE, IN MY OPINION. THE CHURCHES AND APPELLANTS IN THIS INSTANCE HAVE NOT PRESENTED EVIDENCE TO OVERCOME THAT STANDARD AND HAVE NOT SHOWN THAT IT'S A DANGER.

THERE HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A LOT OF OPINION ON ALCOHOL AND THE AVAILABILITY OF IT, BUT THAT DOES NOT REACH THE STANDARD THAT'S REQUIRED FOR THE BOARD TO OVERTURN THE ZONING BOARD DECISION. IF THIS MATTER DOES GET APPEALED AND IT GOES TO THE NEXT STEP, THE STANDARD THAT WILL BE USED AND REVIEWED IS THAT STANDARD. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ON WHAT FOLKS THINK, IT'S GOING TO BE AN APPLICATION OF THE LAW.

AND THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A UNIFORM APPLICATION OF THESE STANDARDS AND THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN HERE AND SHOULD HAPPEN HERE. I HOPE THAT THE BOARD DOES APPLY THAT STANDARD LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M KELLY MCTAGGART, 408 EAST COCHRAN AVENUE. ABOUT AS FAR EAST AS YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT THE GROUND BEING TOO WET.

I LIVE WITHIN 1000 FEET OF TWO CHURCHES.

[02:30:03]

BUT I AM DELIGHTED TO LIVE IN HASTINGS.

I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE LONG. I MOVED THERE A FEW YEARS AGO AND WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THESE THREE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN THERE IS AN AMAZING CHANGE. HASTINGS IS VITAL.

IT HAS BEEN REVITALIZED AND IT CONTINUES.

I ATTENDED THE PZA MEETING WHER% THEY GRANTED A REQUEST FOR A ZONING VARIANCE TO MAIN STREET PIZZA TO ALLOW FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN EXISTING RESTAURANT LOCATED WITHIN 1000 FEET OF AN EXISTING CHURCH.

DURING THAT SPIRITED AND INFORMED DEBATE AMONG THE PZA, THEY DECIDED THEY WOULD GRANT THE VARIANCE AND THEY WOULD ISSUE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT. MR. OLSON DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR REVITALIZING HASTINGS AND THE JOINT EFFORTS THAT IT WILL TAKE AMONG THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. MISS PERKINS RAISED CONCERNS THAT PERHAPS THE 1000 FEET RULE IS TOO STRINGENT A DISTANCE FROM A CHURCH. AND THE WORD COMPATIBILITY CAME UP. THAT PERHAPS INSTEAD OF A SUBJECT OF HERE TO THEIR, ARE THESE TWO BUSINESSES COMPATIBLE WITH EACH OTHER? I THINK IF YOU COME IN TO HASTINGS AND YOU GO TO EAT AT MAIN STREET PIZZA, YOU WILL FIND THE BEAUTIFUL CHURCH ACROSS THE STREET IS COMPATIBLE WITH THIS NICE QUIET RESTAURANT IN OUR QUIET LITTLE TOWN.

AT THE PZA MEETING, IT WAS QUESTIONED, WHY HAVE A LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE IF WE WERE JUST GOING TO CHANGE IT.

THE LDC IS NECESSARY. VARIANCES ARE ALLOWED.

AND SPECIAL USE PERMITS ARE NECESSARY TO MANAGE THAT CHANGE.

AND CHANGE IS TOUGH. I'M GOING TO SAY SOMETHING THAT MAY HURT PEOPLE'S FEELINGS. IT'S HARD FOR ME TO.

BUT CHANGE IS AN INEVITABLE AND UNIVERSAL PHENOMENON THAT AFFECTS ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE, FROM PERSONAL GROWTH TO NATURAL PROCESSES AND SOCIETAL EVOLUTION.

CHANGE IS A FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF EXISTENCE.

EVERYTHING IN THE UNIVERSE, FROM THE SMALLEST ORGANISMS TO THE LARGEST CELESTIAL BODIES, UNDERGO CHANGE.

THIS INCLUDES PERSONAL TRANSFORMATIONS, SOCIETAL SHIFTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ALTERATIONS.

AS STATED IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY, YOU CAN'T STEP IN THE SAME RIVER TWICE. BOTH THE RIVER AND THE PERSON

ARE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF FLUX. >> THANK YOU.

NEXT, GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MICHELLE BATEMAN. I LIVE AT 119 INGRAM DRIVE, WHICH IS PUTNAM COUNTY BUT I DO GO TO CHURCH AT HASTINGS FIRST BAPTIST. I DON'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN PUTNAM COUNTY, BECAUSE -- IN HASTINGS BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD MR. GLASS DOES NOT LIVE IN HASTINGS EITHER.

SO I GUESS THAT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT.

BUT I DO WANT TO SAY I DID HEAR MR. GLASS SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE SERVING OF BEER WOULD HELP THE EMPLOYMENT AND THE ECONOMICS OF HASTINGS. I JUST DON'T THINK YOU CAN ONLY SERVE BEER FOR THAT LITTLE BIT OF TIME AND ONLY MAKE 1% OF YOUR INCOME ON BEER IF IT'S GOING TO BE THAT BENEFICIAL.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S A GOOD ARGUMENT.

THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO SAY, I DON'T THINK IT'S SO MUCH THE LACK OF BEER THAT HAS AFFECTED ANY INCOME THERE.

I THINK IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE DOMINO'S PIZZA ACROSS THE STREET. SO HAVING SOMETHING IN THAT CLOSE OF VICINITY WOULD ALSO NOT BE BENEFICIAL TO A PIZZA PLACE.

NORMA DEAN'S IS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET AND THEY DO AN EXCELLENT BUSINESS, THEY HAVE EXCELLENT FOOD AND THEY CLOSE EARLY TO.

SO MAYBE AN EXTENSION OF THE MENU MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS ASA GREER.

I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ST. JOHN'S RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. WHICH REPRESENTS 12 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AREA.

YOU EVER WONDER WHERE A MILK SHAKE COMES FROM? IT COMES FROM A NERVOUS COW. AND I'M NERVOUS AS I CAN BE TO STAND AND SPEAK TO THE POLITICS OF THIS WORLD, BUT I CAN STAND AT THE CHURCH WHERE I'M A MEMBER AND SPEAK TO A THOUSAND PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY RESERVATION BECAUSE I PREACH THE GOSPEL.

WE HEAR A LOT OF ACCOUNTS. WE LOOK AT LAWS.

WE SEE LAWS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS FOR REASONS.

WHY WOULD WE PUT THOSE LAWS ON THE BOOKS? TO PROTECT PEOPLE. SCHOOLS, CHURCHES.

WE TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE TALK ABOUT THE PRIVILEGE OF TAXES, AND DON'T LET ME GET

[02:35:05]

STARTED ON TAXES, BECAUSE I LIVE IN FLAGLER COUNTY.

BUT I DO WANT YOU TO CONSIDER THIS.

THERE'S ANOTHER PLACE WITH CIRCLE K THAT IS A RESTAURANT.

IT'S CLOSED RIGHT NOW, BUT IF THIS VARIANCE IS NOT OVERTURNED, THEN THERE WILL BE ANOTHER RESTAURANT COME UP THAT WANTS TO SERVE ALCOHOL, OPEN ALCOHOL, WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A CHURCH.

THE LAW WAS PUT THERE FOR A REASON.

WHY WOULD AN UNELECTED BOARD OVERTURN A LAW THAT WAS PUT IN BY ELECTED OFFICIALS? WE HAVE NO VOICE IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WE ONLY HAVE A VOICE BEFORE YOU ALL, WHERE YOU IN YOUR OWN CONSCIENCE CAN UNDERSTAND THE RAMIFICATIONS OF HAVING ALCOHOL SERVED NEAR THIS CHURCH.

YES, WE WERE RESPONSIBLE, OUR ASSOCIATION, FOR MANY OF THE LETTERS YOU RECEIVED AND EMAILS. I HOPE YOU READ THEM ALL.

WHICH I DOUBT. BUT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THERE WILL BE OTHER AREAS IF THIS CONTINUES AND IT'S NOT OVERTURNED. THERE WILL BE OTHER CHURCHES THAT WILL BE IMPACTED BECAUSE OF THIS.

WHAT YOU DO TODAY IS GOING TO IMPACT HASTINGS, ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY. AS A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL, I'M GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE LIBERTY -- I. HAVE 35 SECONDS.

SHORTEST SERMON YOU WILL EVER HEAR.

MATTHEW 2818. BUT I'M GOING TO ADJUST IT A LITTLE BIT. IT SAYS, A VOICE WAS HEARD IN HASTINGS, WEEPING LOUD LAMENTATIONS.

HASTINGS WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN, FOR SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NO MORE.

IT TAKES ONE ACCIDENT, ONE CHILD TO BE HIT AROUND THAT CHURCH CORNER TO CHANGE LIVES FOR ALL ETERNITY.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS CRAIG LANCE. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME TODAY.

I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING THERE'S A LAW ON THE BOOKS IN FLORIDA, AND IT MAY BE NATIONWIDE, I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT, BUT I KNOW THERE'S A LAW ON THE BOOKS IN FLORIDA THAT MAKES IT A PROHIBITION TO SERVE -- OR SERVE ALCOHOL TO MINORS, AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS AS WELL. BEFORE YOU GET THE WRONG CONCLUSION, I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING.

I'M NOT SAYING I THINK MAIN STREET PIZZA IS GOING TO BE SELLING ALCOHOL TO MINORS. I'M NOT SAYING THAT AT ALL.

I'M TRYING TO MAKE A POINT HERE. AND I WILL ASK YOU, WHY DOES THAT LAW EXIST? I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. I KNOW YOU CAN'T.

I CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION AS WELL.

WE HAVE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ATTEND OUR CHURCH.

13, 14, 15-20 YEAR OLDS. AND THEY'RE ASKING THE LEADERS IN THE CHURCH, THE LEADERS OF OUR YOUTH THE SAME QUESTION.

WHY? WHY IS IT OKAY FOR YOU, WHY IS IT OKAY FOR ME, BUT IT'S NOT OKAY FOR THEM.

THEY ARE TOO YOUNG. THEY CAN UNDERSTAND.

THEY CAN'T COMPREHEND THAT. WHY IS IT OKAY FOR YOU TO DO IT, BUT NOT OKAY FOR ME TO DO IT. AND THAT IS PART OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO TEACH THEM AT THE CHURCH.

WE ARE TRYING TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSUMPTION AND USE OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO PRODUCTS, VIOLENCE, SEX, DRUGS. A HOST OF ISSUES WE TRY TO TEACH THEM ABOUT AND MAKE THEM AWARE OF.

AND WE DON'T USE OUR OWN OPINIONS.

WE USE GOD'S WORD. WE TAKE GOD'S WORD TO THEM SO THAT THEY HAVE THE WORD OF GOD AND NOT THE WORD OF MAN.

SO THAT BY THE TIME THEY REACH THE AGE OF LEGALITY, WHATEVER

[02:40:06]

THAT IS, 21, I THINK, THEY HAVE A FOUNDATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. YOU HEARD A TALK OF COMPATIBILITY. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND WHAT MAIN STREET PIZZA IS TRYING TO DO, I DON'T SEE ANY

COMPATIBILITY THERE AT ALL. >> THANK YOU.

NEXT. >> WAYNE SMITH, 9700 IN HASTINGS FLORIDA. LONG TIME RESIDENT OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, MY WHOLE LIFE. I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THE PZA DECISION. NOT SURPRISED, DISAPPOINTED.

I AM HERE TO DAY TO HOPE, PRAY FOR REVERSAL OF THAT DECISION.

I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO MY COMMUNITY.

I THINK IT WOULD BE SAD TO HAVE OUR COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT DECISION WAS NOT MADE BY PEOPLE THAT ARE MY NEIGHBORS.

PLEASE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION UNDER GOD'S INFLUENCE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ROBERT.

I LIVE AT 10675 ZEIGLER AVENUE IN HASTINGS.

I'VE BEEN A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

THIS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS NOT JUST ABOUT HASTINGS PIER GETS ABOUT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

BECAUSE IF Y'ALL GO AHEAD AND APPROVE WHAT THE BOARD ALLOWED THEM TO SERVE LIQUOR, THEN YOU WERE GOING AGAINST WHAT THE ORDINANCE SAYS OF 1000 FEET. 1000 FEET MIGHT BE TOO MUCH FOR SOME PLACES, BUT IT'S NOT TOO MUCH FOR THE AREA THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU APPROVE THIS TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE ALCOHOL SERVED THERE, NOT ONLY DO YOU OPEN THE DOOR FOR THEM, BUT YOU OPEN THE DOOR NOT ONLY FOR HASTINGS BUT THE WHOLE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. ANYBODY CAN COME BEFORE YOU NOW AND ASK TO HAVE LIQUOR SOLD RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO ANY SCHOOL OR ANY CHURCH THAT'S THERE. IT'S YOUR PASTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY AS OUR COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY TO ABIDE BY THE ORDINANCE THAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT'S DONE TODAY IS WHAT IS GOING TO BE ON YOUR MINDS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LI LIVES.

AND THE FUTURE COMMISSIONERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR

TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS THOMAS MOONEY.

I LIVE AT 10545 DELGADO AVENUE IN HASTINGS, FLORIDA.

I HAVE A COUPLE QUICK STATISTICS.

HOW MANY TIMES HAS A DRUNK DRIVER DRIVE BEFORE THEY GET CAUGHT? THE STATISTIC ON THAT IS ABOUT 80 TIMES. IT SAYS OFTEN DRUNK DRIVERS GET CAUGHT THE FIRST TIME THEY DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

THE AVERAGE DRUNK DRIVER WILL REPEAT THIS BEHAVIOR 80 TIMES OR MORE BEFORE GETTING CAUGHT. AND OFTEN THEY ARE CAUGHT BECAUSE THEY WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.

ANOTHER STATISTIC SAYS APPROXIMATELY 50% OF DRIVERS STOPPED FOR ALCOHOL IMPAIRED DRIVING REPORT THAT THEIR LAST ALCOHOLIC DRINK WAS CONSUMED AT A RESTAURANT.

NATIONWIDE DRUNK DRIVING CRASHES ARE A MAJOR PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, CLAIMING OVER 11,000 LIVES PER YEAR.

I JUST THOUGHT YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW THE ACTUAL STATISTICS ON IT. IT SAYS ABOUT HALF THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET A DUI ARE LEAVING A RESTAURANT.

>> I'M NICOLE KATE. I LIVE ON ERICSON AVENUE IN HASTINGS, FLORIDA. I'M A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH BUT I'M ALSO THE COMMITTEE CHAIR FOR CUB SCOUT PACK 249.

AND I'M ALSO ON THE COMMITTEE AT TROOP 345.

CHURCHES ALSO HOST BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL SCOUTS AND CUB SCOUTS.

THESE EVENTS HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

WE ARE TEACHING THESE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE GROWING UP TO OBEY THE LAW. AND WHAT THE LAWS ARE.

IF YOU OVERTURN THESE, YOU ARE TEACHING OUR YOUTH THAT IT'S OKAY FOR THEM TO, WE CAN MAKE EXCEPTIONS.

THAT'S NOT OKAY. THESE YOUNG MEN, WE HAVE ONE IN

[02:45:01]

THE AUDIENCE THAT'S HERE TODAY FOR CUB SCOUTS THAT IS LOOKING AT YOU GUYS GOING, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS.

HOW CAN THEY DO THIS. IF YOU ARE ALLOWING ONE BUSINESS OWNER TO DO THAT, WHAT ABOUT ALL THESE OTHER CHURCHES.

YOU ARE PUTTIN OUR CHILDREN IN JEOPARDY.

YOU ARE TEACHING THEM THAT IT'S OKAY TO PUT A BUSINESS NEXT DOOR THAT IS WITH 25 FEET TO SELL ALCOHOL.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO EXPLAIN? I HAVE 30-40 KIDS ON A TUESDAY NIGHT THAT RUN AROUND A PARKING LOT, AND WE ARE CLOSER THAN 25 FEET TO THE BUSINESS RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

WE ARE LITERALLY OPEN YOUR DOOR AND THEY OPEN THEIR DOOR AND WE ARE ALMOST TOUCHING. AND TO ME THAT'S NOT OKAY.

PLEASE THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU ARE MAKING YOUR DECISION.

NEXT. >> MY NAME IS VICKY ANDREWS.

I LIVE IN HASTINGS ON REGINA STREET.

I DON'T WANT THIS OVERTURNED. I HAVE VISITED THE ESTABLISHMENT AND HAVE PURCHASED FOOD THERE. I DO NOT DRINK, BUT I ALWAYS FEEL SAFE THERE. I LIKE THE OPEN ATMOSPHERE, BECAUSE, IT'S VERY COMMON AND I'VE SEEN FAMILIES THERE, I SEE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE GRANDFATHERED IN, BUT IT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AND THERE WAS A REASON THE BOARD APPROVED IT BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, BUT YOU WOULD KNOW WHAT THAT IS. BUT I KNOW FROM JACKSONVILLE, WHERE I CAME FROM, JACKSONVILLE BEACH AND EVEN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BEACH, WHERE THEY HAVE OPEN ESTABLISHMENTS, PEOPLE FLOCK TO THAT PIER WE ARE LOOKING AT HASTINGS DEVELOPING.

THINK VERY CAREFULLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO TRY TO KEEP THIS OPEN AND WORK IT TOGETHER. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN ADJUST IT IN ANY WAY WITH THE BUSINESS. THE MAN WHO OWNS IT SAID HE'S WILLING TO WORK WITH THE CHURCHES, POSSIBLY EVEN CLOSE IT ON SUNDAY. NOT SELL ALCOHOL ON SUNDAY AT ALL. AND MAYBE THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN THEY HAVE SERVICE. SOME KIND OF COMPROMISE.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PARK IN THE BACK YARD OF THE ESTABLISHMENT INSTEAD OF ALWAYS ON THE STREET.

PEOPLE WANT TO JUST HANG SOMEBODY OUT TO DRY FOR THAT.

I KNOW THAT THAT LAW IS ALSO IN JACKSONVILLE ABOUT 1000 FEET, IT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED ONCE BEFORE.

AND IF PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF ALCOHOL, THIS IS SOMETHING EVERYBODY SHOULD DO RESPONSIBLY. MEDICAL DOCTORS, ESPECIALLY OVER IN EUROPE, THEY PRESCRIBE WINE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HEART CONDITIONS. AND THE BIBLE EVEN SAYS IT'S GOOD FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES FOR THE STOMACH.

WHEN YOU EAT FOOD, WINE OR ALCOHOL CAN HELP YOU WITH DIGESTION, UNLESS YOU WANT TO BRING APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TO THE TABLE. THAT WILL HELP YOU TO.

BUT I WANT YOU TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DECIDING. AND BECAUSE YOU PUT THIS INTO PLACE NOW, YOU COULD ALSO PUT IN A STIPULATION, NOBODY KNEW COMING IN LIKE THESE OTHER BUSINESSES GETTING READY TO OPEN RESTAURANTS, CANNOT SELL ALCOHOL.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE JUST BECAUSE.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD BUT OTHER PEOPLE CAN DO IT.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SUSAN.

I LIVED IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS AND THEN WE MOVED TO PUTNAM. I WAS AT 126 MAGNOLIA DRIVE.

I'M A MEMBER OF FIRST BAPTIST HASTINGS.

I'M A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AND HAVE BEEN TEACHING FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS THERE FOR OVER FIVE YEARS NOW.

ONE THING I WANT TO MENTION THAT WAS SORT OF GLOSSED OVER IN THE PRESENTATION BY MAIN STREET PIZZA, THEY MENTIONED NOISE.

I HAVE BEEN IN MY SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS AND HEARD THEIR KARAOKE BLASTING SO LOUD I COULD TELL YOU EVERY WORD TO EVERY SONG.

THAT'S SOMETHING YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT GOING TO STOP. AND WHEN YOU ADD ALCOHOL TO IT IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE LOUDER AND LOUDER AND IT INTERRUPTS MY ABILITY TO TRY TO TEACH THESE CHILDREN SOMETHING.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS HECTOR.

I'VE BEEN HERE IN FLORIDA ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW, MY WIFE AND I MOVED HERE. MY WIFE'S BROTHER WAS KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER. WHETHER SHE WAS COMING FROM A RESTAURANT, I DON'T KNOW. BUT I'D SIMPLY LIKE TO EMPHASIZE

[02:50:02]

WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN DECLARED. THIS ORDINANCE THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE FOR 100 YEARS, THE CHURCHES HAVE BEEN HERE OVER 100 YEARS. BUT I REPRESENT THE ONE.

THE GENTLEMAN EARLIER SAID WE SHOULD BE CHANGING, MODULATING.

I REPRESENT THE ONE THAT SAYS I AM THE SAME TODAY YESTERDAY AND FOREVER. PART OF THE REASON THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF CRIME, ANY EVIDENCE OF HARDSHIP, OF ACCIDENTS HAS BEEN BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED.

WHY CHANGE IT NOW? FOR MONEY? IF THE 1% THE PROPRIETOR IS GOING TO MAKE FROM SELLING THE ALCOHOL, RISKING THE LIFE OF KIDS, IS IT WORTH IT? THAT'S PROBABLY OUR CONSCIENCE THAT HAS TO DEAL WITH THAT.

BUT PLEASE DON'T CHANGE WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN WORKING AND ESTABLISHED FOR THE SAKE OF PROFIT.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS RICH.

I'M NOT FROM SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, BUT I'M FROM CITRUS COUNTY.

I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN. I'M ALSO 17 YEARS SOBER.

IT'S BY GOD'S GRACE THAT I AM STANDING HERE TODAY TALKING TO YOU ALL. AND I CAN EMPATHIZE WITH THE CONCERNS OF THE APPELLANTS, BUT I CAN ALSO EMPATHIZE WITH THE CONCERNS OF THE APPLICANT. MY PARENTS OWNED A SMALL BUSINESS. I WATCHED THEM WORK 12-18 HOUR DAYS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. THEY WERE ABSENT FROM MY CHILDHOOD. BUT THEY DID THAT TO GIVE ME A BETTER LIFE. MR. GLASS IS DOING THE SAME FOR HIS FAMILY. THE OTHER THING IS, I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE ANTIDRUG COALITION, A BOARD MEMBER IN CITRUS COUNTY. DRUG ADDICTION AND ALCOHOLISM ARE A DISEASE. JUST LIKE MY FAMILY HAS A SMALL BUSINESS, THEY ALSO HAD THE ADDICTION OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION. BY NO MEANS DID A RESTAURANT SERVING ALCOHOL CAUSE THAT TO HAPPEN.

IT'S A DISEASE. IT WAS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS.

IT WAS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. ONE OF MY OTHER BUSINESSES IS A 52 BED INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE FACILITY IN CRYSTAL RIVER. I SEE ADDICTION EVERY DAY.

IT DOESN'T LIVE IN RESTAURANTS, IT DOESN'T LIVE IN BUSINESSES.

IT LIVES IN THE HOMES OF THESE PEOPLE.

SOME OF THEM DON'T EVEN HAVE HOMES.

IT LIVES IN THEIR MINDS, THEIR HEARTS.

BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST I'M A CHRISTIAN.

I AM A BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST. HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE ONLY REASON I AM HERE. I DON'T HAVE EARNED RIGHTEOUSNESS, I DON'T HAVE JUDGMENT.

AND HOW CAN I SEE THE SPECK IN MY BROTHER'S EYE WHEN I CANNOT SEE THE LOG IN MY OWN? THE PHARISEES ARGUED ABOUT MORALITY. WE SHOULD BE COGNIZANT OF THAT.

MR. GLASS IS TRYING TO BE A PROPRIETOR, TRYING TO BRING POSITIVE THINGS TO SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, TO HASTINGS, WHICH IS A LOVELY TOWN AND WE RESPECT THE TRADITION AND HISTORY OF THAT TOWN. BUT WHERE I'M FROM IN CITRUS COUNTY, INVERNESS, FLORIDA, A VERY SIMILAR TOWN TO HASTINGS.

WE WERE JUST VOTED NUMBER 2 SMALL TOWN IN THE SOUTH BY USA TODAY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND, COMMISSIONERS, YOU COME OUT TO CITRUS COUNTY AND TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF THE SUCCESS WHERE BUSINESSES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFITS CAN WORK TOGETHER IN SUCCESSFUL HARMONY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS JOHN.

I LIVE AT 2003 GEORGE ROAD IN HASTINGS.

I'M A RETIRED SERGEANT AT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR 26 YEARS, RETIRED FOR 14. AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL USE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S ALWAYS ASKED IS, HOW MUCH HAVE YOU HAD TO DRINK. NORMALLY THE ANSWER IS, A COUPLE BEERS. WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS REALLY HOW MANY THEY HAD. MR. GLASS HAD MADE A COMMENT

[02:55:03]

THAT THE ONLY WAY THEY COULD VIOLATE SOME OF THESE RULES THEY HAVE AS IF THEY OVERSERVE. THE PROBLEM IS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY CAN SERVE WHEN THEY GET TO THAT RESTAURANT.

THAT'S PROBABLY A BIG CONCERN. AND AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, I NEVER REALLY KNEW HOW MUCH OR HOW TRULY SOMEONE WAS DRUNK JUST BY LOOKING AT THEM. YOU COULD TAKE THEM THROUGH TESTS, YOU COULD HAVE THEM BLOW IN A MACHINE, BUT ON FIRST GLANCE IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO.

I CAN'T SEE SOME OF THESE SERVERS ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT SOMEBODY AND KNOW THAT THEY'VE BEEN DRINKING BEFORE THEY WENT INTO THE RESTAURANT. I KNOW THERE IS A BOARD MEMBER THAT MAY HAVE HAD A RESTAURANT OF THEIR OWN AND HAD SERVED ALCOHOL. BUT THERE'S A PLACE FOR IT.

ONE THING THAT I ALWAYS SAY TO PEOPLE THAT ARE OPENING A RESTAURANT AND WANTING TO SERVE ALCOHOL IS LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. IF YOU'RE GOING TO OPEN IT, LOOK AROUND YOU, KNOW THE RULES AROUND THAT AREA ON WHETHER THIS IS THE PLACE TO HAVE IT. YOU JUST OPENED THIS A YEAR AGO.

HE KNEW WHAT THE RULES WERE. BUT YET HE DECIDED TO OVERTURN.

HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING AND HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING NOW, AND I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE PIZZA PLACE.

I LIKE THEIR FOOD. BUT THERE'S NO REASON THAT THEY NEED TO SERVE BEER OR WINE. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT.

>> MY NAME IS DEBBIE MARQUEZ. I'M THE SISTER OF THE BROTHER WHO WAS MURDERED BY A DRUNK DRIVER.

IT WAS HER SIXTH OFFENSE, TRULY HER SEVENTH BUT COULDN'T PROVE IT BECAUSE SHE WAS 17 ON THE FIRST ONE.

YOU HAD PEOPLE UP HERE WHO WORKED WITH DRUNK DRIVERS AND ADDICTS, WORKING WITH THEM TO PULL THEM OUT OF THAT WORLD THAT'S DESTROYING THEIR LIVES, THEIR FAMILY'S LIVES, THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. THEIR ASSOCIATES LIVES, THEIR FRIENDS LIVES BECAUSE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS.

YES, IT SEEMS TOTALLY HARMLESS IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A PIECE OF PIZZA AND A BEER. AS REBECCA VELA KILLED MY BROTHER STANLEY AT 53, WHO HAD TWO DAUGHTERS AND A WIFE.

MY PARENTS SPENT THE REST OF THEIR LIVES GRIEVING.

MY FATHER HAD DEMENTIA AND HE WOULD SAY, WHY ISN'T MY SON COMING TO SEE ME? AND WE WOULD HAVE TO REMIND HIM THAT HE WAS KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER.

CAN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT PAIN IN A FAMILY? BAPTIST PEOPLE, CHURCH PEOPLE HAVE GOOD HEARTS.

THEY WANT TO PREVENT THE DRUG AND ALCOHOLISM BEFORE IT GETS TO THE POINT WHERE YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE REWARDS UP HERE TODAY.

PEOPLE DOING THE SAME THING ONLY AFTER THEY HAVE DESTROYED THEIR LIVES OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE PAIN.

MY NIECE WAS GOING TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND GO AWAY TO BE ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE. MY BROTHER WAS WORKING A SECOND JOB AS A SECURITY OFFICER, ON HIS WAY HOME, AND BECAUSE SHE JUST HAD WINE AND ALCOHOL AND SHE WAS ANGRY, SHE HIT HIM AND THREW HIM THE LENGTH OF A FOOTBALL FIELD.

HIS HEAD WAS IN HER WINDSHIELD. BAPTIST PEOPLE LOVE TO EAT, AND THESE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ARE OPENING WOULD BE SO SUPPORTED BY SEEING THE HEART AND THE INTENT OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO TEACH OUR YOUNGER CHILDRN BEFORE YOU HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HIRE PEOPLE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE RUINED LIVES. IT'S NOT JUST A SMALL LITTLE PICTURE. IT'S NOT FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE. IT'S A VERY SERIOUS DECISION

THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[03:00:02]

GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS EDDIE. I LIVE AT 6455 IN SAINT AUGUSTINE FLORIDA. I JUST WANT EVERYBODY IN THIS BUILDING TO PRAY, AND ASK LORD JESUS CHRIST TO GIVE THEM THE RIGHT DECISION TO MAKE, THIS DECISION BEING MADE TODAY IN THIS BUILDING. THAT EACH PERSON WILL THINK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND LET GOD LEAD THEM AND NOT LET LAMB LEAD THEM AND THIS DECISION IS BEING MADE TODAY.

WE WANT TO HONOR AND GLORIFY GOD IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AND SAY, BECAUSE WE LOVE HIM AND HE LOVES US AND HE LOVED US FIRST BEFORE ANYBODY ELSE. THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY.

MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, WITH GOD'S LEADING AND INFINITE

DIRECTION. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. >> HELLO.

I'M CHARLIE HUNT. LET'S GO BACK ABOUT TWO YEARS, OR OVER TWO AND A HALF YEARS A AGO, THE PZA HAD THE SAME ISSUE, A LIQUOR STORE WANTING TO GO NEXT TO A CHURCH.

THE PZA HELD THEIR VOTE AND IT WAS 3-3, SO IT WAS TECHNICALLY DENIED. AND IN 2024, APRIL, JUST OVER TWO YEARS AGO, THAT SAME APPEAL CAME UP.

THE LIQUOR STORE WANTED TO BUILD IT RIGHT BESIDE THE CHURCH, WHERE THE PROPERTY LINES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET APART.

AND YES, I COME TO A LOT OF THESE.

I'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTY, LIQUOR STORES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. AFTER THE APPEAL WAS DONE, THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE IT. THREE OF THE SITTING COMMISSIONERS ON THAT BOARD ARE SITTING HERE TODAY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF YOU'D LIKE TO LOOK THAT UP, THAT WAS ON THE 2ND OF APRIL 2024. WHY? MAYBE BECAUSE PUBLIX HAD A LIQUOR STORE AND PEOPLE WANTED MORE LIQUOR, OR MORE DIFFERENT TYPES, OR MAYBE A BETTER COST.

BUT IT WENT AND IT WAS BUILT RIGHT BESIDE THE CHURCH.

YES, THAT HAPPENED. MY QUESTION IS, DOES THE LDC FALL UNDER AN ETHICAL ASPECT OF IT, OR JUST PRACTICAL THOUGHT? THE MAIN STREET HASTINGS ORGANIZATION GOT IN THERE TO BRING IT UP AND TO GET HASTINGS GOING AGAIN, BECAUSE I WAS HEARTBROKEN WHEN HASTINGS HAD TO GIVE UP THEIR TOWNSHIP.

YOU HAD TO GET THAT, NOW COME UP HERE AND LISTEN TO THE BIG BOYS COVER THE WAY THEY WANT IT. BUT WITH THAT, THAT'S WHAT WAS IN THE MAIN STREET HASTINGS ORGANIZATION, THEIR WHOLE PLAN TO PUT TOGETHER FOR THAT ONE ESTABLISHMENT TO CONSERVE ANYTHING AND ANYTHING THEY WANT TO BECAUSE THAT WAS WITHIN THE PLANS OF BRINGING THEM DOWN TO HELP REESTABLISH HASTINGS, WE NEED TO BRING LIQUOR HERE. BUT THERE'S BEEN THREE OTHER INCIDENTS, BUT BESIDE THIS CHURCH, 50 FEET AWAY FROM THE PROPERTY LINE, IT SHOWS. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU SAY.

IT MATTERS WHAT THEY THINK. YOU LIVE THERE, THEY DON'T, IT

DOESN'T MATTER. >> THANK YOU.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1 AND NUMBER 2? COME ON UP.

GOOD AFTERNOON. >> THAT'S RIGHT, IT IS AFTE AFTERNOON. APPROVE THE APPEALS.

THIS IS A WRONG PLACE FOR A BAR. YOU CAN CALL IT WHATEVER YOU WANT. WORDS MEAN SOMETHING.

WHERE DOES MR. GLASS WORSHIP GOD? AND ALSO, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME IN TODAY, WE STARTED AT -- WHEN DID WE START? 11:40.

NOW IT'S AFTER 12. SO THANK YOU FOR COMING.

[03:05:03]

I JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO TELL PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COME TO OTHER MEETINGS AT THIS BOARD, IF YOU CAN GET ON YOUR LITTLE CELL PHONE AND COMPUTERS AND THINGS AND LISTEN TO IT.

I THANK MR. CHARLIE FOR BRINGING UP THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED OR NOT IN THE PAST. AND THE ONE THING I WANT TO SAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO SAY, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK TO POLITICIANS. WE PAY THEIR SALARY.

THEY MAY BE ABOVE US SITTING THERE, BUT THEY AREN'T ABOVE US.

THEY CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT OUR MONEY.

SO CONTINUE TO COME AND CONTINUE TO SPEAK.

TALKING TO ANOTHER PERSON JUST LIKE YOU THAT HAS A LOT OF CONTROL OVER WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR HOMES AND IN YOUR FAMILIES AND IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS. AND IF YOU DON'T, IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN HASTINGS AND YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING THIS, IT MAKES IT HARD WHEN SOME OF THE POLITICIANS DON'T GRASP WHAT HASTINGS WAS AND WHAT IT HAS BECOME, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE STILL A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE PEOPLE RESPECT EACH OTHER AND AREN'T OUT FOR THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.

BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THIS IS ALWAYS ABOUT.

IT'S QUALITY OF LIFE VERSUS THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON AGENDA ITEMS ONE AND TWO. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE

PUBLIC OMMENT. >> IS THIS TIME FOR BOARD

DISCUSSION? >> NO.

WE'VE GOT A REBUTTAL AND THEN WE'VE GOT BOARD DISCUSSION.

>> I WILL HOLD MY COMMENTS. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A REBUTTAL BY THE APPELLANT FOR 5 MINUTES.

YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REBUT.

OR YOU CAN WAIVE. THE APPELLANT.

>> THE APPELLANTS HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR REBUTTAL.

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> REBUTTAL BY APPELLANTS.

I NEED TO PUT MY GLASSES ON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. I'M AN ATTORNEY WHO REPRESENTS FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. WHAT WE HAVE HERE TODAY IS A VERY SIMPLE LEGAL PROCESS. THERE'S A PRESUMPTIVE NO FOR THIS LIQUOR LICENSE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

THEN THERE'S THE EXEMPTION PROCESS WHICH WAS HANDLED BEFORE AND IS NOW BEING APPEALED TO YOU.

ONE THING THAT IS GLARINGLY OBVIOUS HERE TODAY IS NO ONE HAS REFUTED WHATSOEVER THAT THE RESTAURANT IS NOT CODE COMPLIANT WITH THE PARKING RESTRICTIONS. IT'S BLACK AND WHITE.

THERE'S ONE PARKING PLACE AND THE CONDITION PRECEDENT TO THE VARIANCE IS THAT OTHERWISE THE RESTAURANT IS CODE COMPLIANT AND IT'S NOT IT'S REQUIRED TO HAVE 16 PARKING PLACES AND IT DOESN'T. IT'S OBVIOUS WHERE THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE PARKING. THEY'RE GOING TO BE PARKING ON THE STREET PARKING ABUTTING THE CHURCH WHERE THERE'S ONLY A 25-FOOT RESTRICTION. THAT ALONE MAKES IT VERY SIMPLE FOR YOU. THE CONDITION PRECEDENT FOR THE VARIANCE HAS NOT BEEN MET. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT THAT, TO LOOK AT THAT. IT'S GLARINGLY OBVIOUS, THERE WAS NO REBUTTAL WHATSOEVER TO THE FAILURE TO HAVE ADEQUATE OFF-STREET PARKING. THE OTHER REASONS I GET ARE MORALISTIC. THIS IS JUST QUANTIFICATION.

IT'S CLEAR THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE REBUTTING THE CLEAR PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE FOR THE CHURCH.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. MISS SMITH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO REBUT? YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES.

>> I GUESS IT'S OKAY IF I DO IT FROM HERE.

THE MAIN THING I WANTED TO BRING FORWARD IS THAT ONE OF THE CONDITIONS FOR GETTING A SPECIAL USE OR A VARIANCE IS THAT PROMOTING THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE, MORALS, ORDER, COMFORT, CONVENIENCE, APPEARANCE, PROSPERITY, OR GENERAL WELFARE OF RESIDENTS OF THE AREA.

I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT WORD MORALS.

I THINK YOU HEARD A LOT OF THAT TODAY IN YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

IT HOLDS AND SHOULD HOLD THE VIEW JUST AS MUCH WEIGHT AS EVERY OTHER WORD THAT IS IN THAT STATEMENT.

YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELVES AND WONDER WHY THERE ARE SO MANY CHURCHES WITHIN THAT THOUSAND FOOT RADIUS.

[03:10:02]

I THINK IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF ON THE CONDITION AND THE NEED THEREFORE, MORAL TEACHING AND TRAINING AND EACH OF OUR CHURCHES HAVE 66 BOOKS THAT WE CAN REFER TO FOR THOSE MORAL STATEMENTS AND CONVICTIONS AND TEACHING, AND THAT'S THE HOLY WORD OF GOD. SO THOSE THAT COME BEFORE YOU WITH YOUR COMMENTS THAT YOU'VE HEARD TODAY AND YOU WANT TO MAYBE DISMISS THEM ON WHETHER IT'S OKAY TO DRINK, IS IT NOT OKAY TO DRINK. YOU HAVE A GATHERING OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING TAUGHT MORALS, AND THAT SHOULD BE PROTECTED, RATHER, AND YOU HAVE A GATHERING, A LARGE GATHERING OF PEOPLE THAT MEETS AT VARIOUS TIMES OF THE WEEK THAT IS AFFECTED BY THIS. THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY

CONNOR THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET THIS RIGHT.

I NOW SEE THAT THERE'S A BOARD DISCUSSION MOTION NEXT.

BUT DO WE DO -- >> BACK TO THE BOARD NOW FOR

DELIBERATIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

THROUGH THE CHAIR, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A CLARIFICATION REGARDING COMMENTS ABOUT PARKING.

THIS IS CONSIDERED A NONCONFORMING HISTORICAL STRUCTURE, AND IN ARTICLE 312 OF THE HASTINGS OVERLAY IT EXEMPTS IT FROM ANY ADDITIONAL PARKING REQUIREMENTS THAN WHAT IS EXISTING. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT

CLARIFICATION. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. I'VE GOT A FEW THINGS TO SAY AND I WANT TO COVER GROUND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

I KNOW WE'VE BEEN A LONG TIME ON THIS ITEM.

MR. HUNT BROUGHT UP AN APPROVAL WHERE WE WAIVED THE THOUSAND FOOT, AND THAT IS ACCURATE. WHERE ALL THAT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IS. AND IT WAS WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A CHURCH. IF MEMORY SERVES, I THINK THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH WROTE A LETTER SAYING HE DID NOT OPPOSE THE OPENING OF THE A BC LIQUOR. SO THAT WAS PART OF THE REASON WE MADE THAT DECISION. JUST TO COMPLETE SOME OF THE VOTES I'VE TAKEN IN THE PAST ON THE ISSUE, I ALSO ARGUED IN FAVOR OF AND ULTIMATELY VOTED FOR THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ON THIS BOARD AT THE TIME, 5-0 IN FAVOR OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR BEER AND WINE TO BE SERVED AT THE VILLAGE GARDEN IN.

BECAUSE THE PAST RECORD OF THIS BOARD CAME UP, I THOUGHT I WOULD COMPLETE THE RECORD AND LET YOU KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN ON THE YES SIDE OF GRANTING NOT ONLY THE A BC LIQUOR IT'S RIGHT TO DO BUSINESS, BUT ALSO A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR BEER AND WINE TO BE SERVED AT THE VILLAGE GARDEN IN, JUST IN CASE THERE'S ANY QUESTION OF MY RECORD. MR. GLASS ACCURATELY DISPLAYED 2.03.02.8.4 OF OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE WHERE HE SAID, ALL THIS CRITERIA WAS REQUIRED. AND THEN IF YOU MEET THAT CRITERIA, YOU MAY APPLY FOR A VARIANCE TO PERMIT THE SALE OF BEER AND WINE. AND THAT IS ACCURATE.

HE WENT ON TO LATER SAY, QUOTE, "EACH APPLICATION IS THEN REVIEWED INDEPENDENTLY ON ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL MERITS," SO THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. I THINK BECAUSE WE'VE APPROVED IT IN THE PAST DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'LL APPROVE IT IN THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE FILE APPLICATIONS HERE ALL THE TIME.

WE HAVE DENIED MANY APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE'VE DENIED APPLICATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE'VE DENIED A LOT OF APPLICATIONS.

I CAN APPLY FOR A JOB, BUT APPLYING FOR THE JOB DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE GOING TO BE HIRED FOR THAT JOB.

SO WHILE YES, YOU MAY APPLY, IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL BE GRANTED BY VIRTUE OF SIMPLY HAVING THE RIGHT TO APPLY.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED.

THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THAT ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T TRIED TO RUN A SMALL BUSINESS. SO I KNOW THAT HAVING BEER AND WINE SALES IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THE SUCCESS OF A SMALL RESTAURANT. BUT I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WHAT WENDY SMITH SAID IN HER OPENING STATEMENTS, WHICH IS THE ORDINANCES IN PLACE FOR PLANNING AND PREDICTABILITY.

AND FOR PROTECTION. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE IDEA THAT THIS COULD BE COMING DOWN THE PIPE BECAUSE THERE'S AN ORDINANCE YOU THINK PROTECTS YOU FROM SOME OF THESE USES, IT'S HARD TO PLAN YOUR LIFE. IT'S HARD TO PLAN THE KIND OF COMMUNITY THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE IF THE ORDINANCE ARE WAIVED FOR ANYTHING AND FOR EVERYTHING. SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS A VERY COMPELLING POINT. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO GO AND WHAT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ARE GOING TO DO.

[03:15:02]

BUT I'M GOING TO VOTE TO UPHOLD THE APPEAL, WHICH WOULD DENY MAIN STREET PIZZA THEIR RIGHT TO SELL BEER AND WINE.

IF IT GOES THE WAY THAT I'M GOING TO VOTE, TO UPHOLD THE APPEAL, IT IS MY PRAYER, MY HOPE THAT MAIN STREET PIZZA IS FLOODED WITH CONGREGANTS FROM FIRST STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, FROM GOD'S WAY CHURCH. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE A CHANCE TO SUCCEED, AND I'VE BEEN SCROLLING THEIR WEBSITE, THEY HAVE SOME GOOD LOOKING PIZZA.

THEY SELL CALZONES. IF YOU ARE WATCHING YOUR WAISTLINE THEY SAW WHAT LOOKED LIKE DELICIOUS SALADS.

THEY HAVE CHICKEN WINGS. EVEN AFTER DINNER YOU CAN GO BY THERE AND GET SOME ICE CREAM. SO IT'S MY HOPE, I'M THE SMALL BUSINESS GUY. I WANT TO SEE THEM SUCCEED WILDLY. SO I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL HELP THEM DO THAT. BUT I'M GOING TO VOTE TO UPHOLD

THE APPEAL. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.

I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF.

THAT WAS SPOT ON. THE CHURCH HAS BEEN THERE FOR OVER A CENTURY. AND THE PIZZA PLACE IS A MUCH MORE RECENT ADDITION. IT'S MY OPINION THAT HARDSHIP HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN, SO I WILL ALSO BE VOTING TO UPHOLD THE

APPEAL. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> I'M GLAD YOU POINTED OUT THE LIQUOR STORE NEXT TO THE OTHER CHURCH, BECAUSE THE PASTOR THERE SAID IT WAS OKAY, AND THAT'S WHY WE DID THAT.

HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN TO RITA'S ICE CREAM? PEOPLE LINE UP TO HAVE RITA'S. AND I DO THINK IF THE PIZZA PLACE HAD GOOD MALTS AND SHAKES AND THINGS LIKE THAT IT MIGHT DO WELL. BUT I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH THE OTHER TWO COMMISSIONERS. I JUST THINK IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE. THANK YOU.

>> FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR SHOWING UP AND WHAT AN AMAZING COMMUNITY YOU ARE.

I AGREE WITH MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.

THAT WE NEED TO REVERSE THIS AND WE DO NEED TO DENY THIS.

THE CHURCH HAS BEEN THERE A VERY LONG TIME.

I CERTAINLY SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES, AND I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD SUPPORT MAIN STREET PIZZA.

AND AFTER HEARING EVERYONE TODAY I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE A 20 MINUTE REBUTTAL FROM -- NO. OKAY, GOOD.

IN THAT CASE I WOULD TAKE A MOTION.

>> I'LL MOVE IT. MOTION TO APPROVE PLANNING APPLICATION 2026-06, MAIN STREET PIZZA SPECIAL USE PERMIT 2025-27 OVERTURNING A DECISION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY AND DENYING THE REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE ON SITE SALES AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITHIN COMMERCIAL GENERAL ZONING PURSUANT TO LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 2.03.02, SPECIFICALLY AT 125 NORTH MAIN STREET SUBJECT TO THE SEVEN FINDINGS OF FACT AS

PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> I'LL SECOND THAT.

>> LET'S VOTE. THAT'S 5-0.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WE ALSO HAVE A SECOND ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2. CAN I GET A MOTION?

>> MOTION TO APPROVE PLANNING APPLICATION 2026-07, MAIN STREET PIZZA, ZONING VARIANCE 2025-35 AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT 2025-27, OVERTURNING THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY AND DENYING THE REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE ON SITE SALES AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITHIN COMMERCIAL GENERAL ZONING PURSUANT TO SECTION 0.03.02 AT NORTH MAIN STREET SUBJECT TO SEVEN FINDINGS OF FACT AS LISTED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

>> THROUGH THE CHAIR, CAN WE AMEND THE MOTION TO ADD VARIANCE

IN THE LANGUAGE? >> YES, WE CAN.

SO AMENDED. YOU AGREE?

>> AGREE. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THAT. LET'S VOTE.

THAT PASSES 5-0. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE.

THIS CONCLUDES AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1 AND NUMBER 2.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A

[3. Public Hearing * PUD 2024-02 10150 Cartwheel Bay PUD.]

>> AND WE ARE BACK. IT'S STILL 1:00, SO WE ARE GOING TO GO STRAIGHT TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3.

MR. LAHTO, ARE YOU STILL HERE? THERE YOU ARE.

WE HAVE A QUASI JUDICIAL, SO LET US MAKE OUR.

[03:20:09]

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I HAVE A HANDFUL OF EMAILS REGARDING THIS AND WE SPOKE TO MR. LAHTI ABOUT IT.

>> FOUR PLUS EMAILS, MEETING WITH MATT LAHTI, EUGENIO

PERALTA, AND THE TEAM. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> I HAD THE SAME MEETING WITH MATT LAHTI AND EMILIO PERALTA ABOUT THE LOCATION, SOME OF THE ISSUES THE RESIDENTS WERE HAVING, AND SOME OF THEIR

WAIVERS. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.

>> I HAD THE SAME MEETING WITH MATT LAHTI AND ALSO RECEIVED

FOUR PLUS EMAILS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I ALSO HAD FOUR PLUS EMAILS AND A MEETING WITH MATT.

DID I SAY THAT RIGHT, DID I GET PLUS? AND THEN STAFF. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3, YOU HAVE

THE FLOOR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MATT LAHTI, GULF STREAM DESIGN GROUP.

I'M GOING TO USE THE OVERHEAD TO SHOW MY SLIDES.

WE HAD SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

THIS PARCEL OF LAND IS LOCATED TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROAD 2209 AND COUNTY ROAD 210 WEST.

THE SITE IS APPROXIMATELY 3.08 ACRES.

THIS IS THE HISTORIC MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT.

ALL OF THESE STRUCTURES WERE CONSTRUCTED PRIOR TO THIS APPLICATION. JUST A LITTLE BIT CLOSER AERIAL PHOTO HERE. THE SHOPPES AT ST. JOHN'S IS TO THE SOUTH OF US. FUTURE COMMERCIAL WE BELIEVE WILL BE COMING IN IN THAT VEGETATED AREA TO THE NORTH AND THE EAST. CURRENT LAND USE AND ZONING, THE CURRENT LAND USE IS C, CURRENT LAND USE IS OPEN RURAL.

THIS PROJECT IS WITHIN THE NORTHEAST SECTOR.

TO BRING THE SITE INTO CURRENT ZONING COMPLIANCE WE NEED TO REZONE TO A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT.

THE APPLICANT IS A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS DOING SMALL AUTO REPAIR, OIL CHANGES, BRAKES, TIRES, DIAGNOSTICS AND ROUTINE MECHANICAL WORK. THERE IS NO MAJOR BODY WORK OR COLLISION REPAIR OR HEAVY RECONSTRUCTION ON THIS SITE.

THE PUD WENT THROUGH A FEW REVISIONS PRIOR TO PLANNING AND ZONING. IT IS NOT PRIVY TO THIS CURRENT APPLICATION, BUT DID HAVE A SECOND PHASE AT ONE POINT IN TIME. IT DID HAVE SOME OUTDOOR WITH REQUESTS FOR A VETERINARY CLINIC.

THAT'S ALL OFF THE TABLE. THE CURRENT REVISED PUD IS ESSENTIALLY A SINGLE USE PUD REQUESTING AUTO OIL CHANGE FACILITY, TIRE SERVICE CENTER, OUTDOOR STORAGE WITH A MAXIMUM OF TEN SERVICE BAYS. CLEARLY PROHIBITED IN THE PUD IS THE MAJOR VEHICLE WRECK AND REPAIRS, BODY SHOP AND RESTORATION. AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, THERE'S ABOUT 11,500 SQUARE FEET OF EXISTING STRUCTURES THERE.

WITHIN THAT PUD THE SITE WILL REMAIN ON WELL AND SEPTIC.

THERE IS AN EXISTING POND UP IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF OUR PARCEL. AS PART OF OUR SITE WE ARE IN THE TWO BLUE BOXES HERE. YOU CAN SEE THE PROPOSED DRIVEWAY CONNECTION UPGRADE AS WELL AS PAVED PARKING.

WE WOULD BE INSTALLING A 6-FOOT SOLID FENCE ALONG THE CARTWHEEL BAY FRONTAGE, WHICH RETURNS ABOUT 100 FEET BACK TO THE EAST.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE BLUE DASHED LINES.

THE SCENE AGAIN DEVELOPMENT EDGES WOULD BE PLANTED CONSISTENT WITH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

WE ARE ASKING FOR A FEW HERE. ONE WAIVER IS TO ALLOW UP TO TEN SERVICE BAYS ON THE SITE. THE PROPERTY IS SURROUNDED BY CONSERVATION WETLANDS, STORMWATER POND TO THE SOUTH, AND WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FUTURE SHOPPING CENTER TO THE EAST. WE ARE APPROXIMATELY 215 FEET FROM THE EDGE AND ABOUT 305 FEET TO THE NEAREST HOUSE.

THE OTHER WAIVER WE ARE ASKING FOR IS THE ALLOWANCE TO LET THE EXISTING POND REMAIN WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT EDGE.

WE HAVE A SMALL ENCROACHMENT ON THE SOUTHERN END HERE, ABOUT 150

[03:25:02]

SQUARE FEET OF THE EXISTING BUILDING WITHIN THAT DEVELOPMENT EDGE. WE ARE ASKING FOR A REDUCTION IN PARKING, LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REQUIRING 23 PAVED SPACES HERE.

THE NATURE OF THE APPLICANT'S BUSINESS, WE FEEL THAT TEN PARKING SPACES IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT.

STAFF PARKING WOULD BE BEHIND THE BUILDING, WITH EXISTING COMPACTED GRAVEL. SO THAT FRONT AREA WOULD BE RESERVED PRIMARILY FOR PUBLIC PARKING, AND AFTER HOURS OR ON WEEKEND VEHICLE DROP OFFS. AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED, THE WAIVER REQUESTING THE 150 SQUARE FEET OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE AND THE POND TO REMAIN WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT EDGE.

JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER GRAPHIC THERE SHOWING THAT.

YOU CAN SEE THE BUFFER, THE BUILDING, THE DRAIN FIELD, AND THIS PORTION OF THE POND ALL KIND OF OUTLINED IN BLUE WITHIN THOSE EDGES. AND AGAIN, ALL WERE BUILT AS PART OF THE MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT BUILDINGS.

THIS IS ALL CONSISTENT WITH THE LAND USE.

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL, GENERAL BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL. THIS APPLICATION FALLS WITHIN THAT REQUEST. THE SITE IS WITHIN THE NORTHWEST SECTOR, SO WE DO NEED TO REZONE THE PUD BECAUSE OF THAT.

PART OF THE CONSISTENCY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REQUIRES A BALANCE AND VARIETY OF LAND USES, HOUSING, IMPROVING THE JOBS TO HOUSING BALANCE, CONNECTIVITY FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO ADJACENT COMMERCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES, AND A ROAD NETWORK THAT PROVIDES MULTIPLE ALTERNATE ROUTES BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES.

THIS IS THE HEAT MAP. THE BLUE DOTS YOU SEE OUR CUSTOMERS OF AUTOMATICS. THIS IS THEIR LOCATION RIGHT HERE. SO CLEARLY SERVING A NEIGHBORHOOD NEED BY KEEPING TRAFFIC OFF OF THE EXTERNAL LINKS GOING FURTHER EAST OR WEST ON COUNTY ROAD 210 OR NORTH ON 2209 TO GET TO ANOTHER REPAIR FACILITY.

SOME OF THE COMMENTS AT PLANNING AND ZONING, WE ADDED A SIGNAGE RESTRICTION TO 15 FEET IN HEIGHT AND THE PROJECT DID RECEIVE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY.

SO WITH THAT WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE AND PROVIDE ANY REBUTTAL TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? SEEING NONE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL AIR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. PLEASE COME FORWARD.

YOU WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES. GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M A LONE WOLF.

EVERYONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD TO LEAVE.

THEY HAD ELDERLY PARENTS AT HOME TO GET BACK TO.

>> IF YOU COULD STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

>> I'M VERY SORRY. MARIE, 113 HUGUENOT LANE IN THE PRESERVES OF ST. JOHN'S. IT'S THE COMMUNITY WHERE HE PUT THE MAP UP WITH ALL THE BLUE DOTS.

PEOPLE SE THE BUSINESS. THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE WANT THEM TO BE THERE AND NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE.

WHENEVER YOU HAVE A BUSINESS, YOU ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE SURROUNDING AREA, YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR PROPERTY VALUES AND SAFETY.

THERE'S A FEW THINGS THAT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH.

THEY STATED ON THIS REPORT THAT THE OWNER PROVIDED TESTIMONY THAT ABANDONED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

THAT'S INCORRECT. YOU CAN GO BY THERE AND ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FENCING, THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS.

THERE ARE VEHICLES ACROSS THE BACK AND BEHIND BUILDING NUMBER 2 THAT OUR BOX TRUCKS FROM U-HAUL OR RIDER OR WHATEVER THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE.

NONE OF THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

IT HAS BEEN OPERATING IN VIOLATION.

THEY WERE NEVER GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE RUNNING THAT KIND OF BUSINESS ON THAT PROPERTY. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING SO FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THEY HAVE RECEIVED CITATIONS.

THEY HAVE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD THAT'S GIVING THE CITATIONS THAT THEY ARE UNDER WAY OF GETTING APPROVAL OF REZONING FOR THE PURPOSE OF THAT PROPERTY. SO THIS WHOLE TIME THEY'VE BEEN OPERATING THIS BUSINESS IN VIOLATION.

NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD ANY OF THE HOMEOWNERS IF THEY HAVE DONE A

[03:30:03]

LAND, SOIL QUALITY SAMPLE TEST. SINCE MOSQUITO CONTROL WAS ON THAT PROPERTY. THE OTHER THING IS, HE'S BEEN OPERATING USING THREE BAYS AS HIS PRIMARY BUSINESS, AND NOW THEY ARE REQUESTING -- FIRST THEY WENT TO ZONING AND REQUESTED SIX BAYS AND THEN AT THE LAST MEETING THEY CAME IN AND SAID, WE'VE CHANGED OUR MIND, WE WANT TO DO TEN BAYS.

THIS AREA IS NOT SET UP TO BE IN OPERATIONAL AS A DEALERSHIP IS ON PHILLIPS HIGHWAY. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE MAN HAVING HIS PERSONAL BUSINESS THERE.

MY HUSBAND WORKS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

HE WORKS ON CARS. I UNDERSTAND ALL THAT.

BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE SOMEWHERE, AT LEAST RESPECT THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU ARE IN, AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING, IT'S OKAY, MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE LIVE IN DURBAN CROSSING.

YOU HAVE TO GO OUT ONTO 210, TAKE 2209 DOWN TO LONGLEAF AND THEN YOU GET TO THEIR HOMES. NONE OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED AT ALL. WHEN THERE'S AN ACCIDENT ON 95, 210 GETS SLAMMED. FOR THEM TO SAY THAT THERE'S ADEQUATE TRAFFIC, ADEQUATE ROADS FOR TRAFFIC FLOW, THERE IS NOT.

TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AGO ON A MONDAY, THE GENTLEMAN THAT HAD A HEART ATTACK RIGHT THERE AT CARTWHEEL BAY, THE ENTIRE AREA WAS SHUT DOWN FOR PROBABLY FIVE AND A HALF OR SIX HOURS.

WE LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE WERE SAT IN TRAFFIC BEHIND WAITING TO GET BACK THERE. I'VE ALSO BROUGHT PHOTOS SHOWING THAT HE SAID -- THE OWNER SAID HE WOULD STOP ALLOWING THEM TO DROP OFF CARS. I HAVE PHOTOS THAT I HAVE BROUGHT SHOWING THAT THEY ARE STILL DOING IT AND WRECKER TRUCKS. I HAVE PLENTY OF PROOF THAT WE COULD SHOW THEY ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE STILL.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

YOU WILL GIVE THAT TO MISS WEST. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3? PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> BACK TO THE BOARD FOR QUESTIONS OR EMOTION. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

>> I'M READY TO MAKE A MOTION, MR. CHAIR.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> MR. LAHTI, I KNOW WHEN I MET WITH YOU WE DID DISCUSS THE DROPPING OFF OF CARS, AND OLD CARS SITTING IN THE LOT AND I DO THINK YOUR CLIENT SAID THAT YOU WERE GOING TO KEEP ITD THAT- LOOKING NICE AND HAVE THE BUFFER AND ALL THAT. IS THAT GOING TO GO FORWARD?

IS IT GOING TO BE IN COMPLIANCE? >> YES, MA'AM.

WHAT I HAVE HERE IS A DRAFT CONSTRUCTION PLAN JUST ON THE SCREEN. PART OF THAT, THE GATES WILL BE MOVED. I'M JUST DOING THIS TO HELP YOU SEE IT A LITTLE BETTER. THIS ENTIRE AREA REMAINS OPEN ON WEEKENDS CURRENTLY AND THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGES BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN IN THIS STATE OF FLUX DUE TO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND WAITING TO GET THIS PLAN APPROVED.

AS SOON AS THIS PUD IS APPROVED, THE COMPLIANCE ISSUE GOES AWAY.

SO THEN THESE CONSTRUCTION PLANS WILL HAVE OPERATION INITIATIVES TO THE PUD GOING FORWARD. BUT CURRENTLY THAT GATE IS RIGHT HERE. I DO KNOW THAT HE'S DONE EVERY EFFORT HE CAN TO TALK TO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER.

BUT I DO BELIEVE HE IS MAKING AN EFFORT ON BEHALF OF HIS BUSINESS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. IN THE POST APPROVAL, POST CONSTRUCTION WORLD HERE, THIS WOULD BE THE FENCING SO THAT ANY OF THESE VEHICLES THAT ARE LEFT ON THE WEEKENDS WOULD BE DROPPED AND NOT LEFT OUT HERE IN THE PUBLIC VIEW.

THAT FENCING WOULD GO ALONG THIS BOUNDARY HERE AND THE ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING. THAT'S SHOWN FRONTED ALONG TH

[03:35:05]

THERE. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.

>> MY QUESTION WAS AROUND THAT AREA TOO, BECAUSE THAT IS CONCERNING IF VEHICLES ARE BEING DROPPED OFF OVER THE WEEKEND.

SO THAT AREA WILL BE OPEN. SO WHEN VEHICLES DO COME IN, THEY WILL PARK IN THE REGULAR PARKING SPOTS?

>> YES, MA'AM. THAT WOULD BE BEHIND THE GATE.

>> OKAY. SO HOW IS THE TRUCK GETTING IN

BEHIND THE GATE? >> SORRY, I MEANT BEHIND THE FENCE. THE GATES ARE BEING MOVED, WOULD BE PROPOSED TO BE MOVED TO HERE AND HERE.

CURRENTLY THAT GATE IS AT THE RIGHT OF WAY LINE.

>> SO ON THE WEEKENDS THEY WON'T NEED TO GO THROUGH ANY LOCKED

GATE. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT WOULD BE BEHIND THE FENCING. >> IN THE TEN SPOTS WILL BE

ENOUGH? >> YES, MA'AM.

I THINK IT'S REALLY ONLY BEEN ONE VEHICLE DROPPED OVER THE

WEEKEND. >> GREAT, THANK YOU.

>> DO WE HAVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE U-HAULS IN

THE BACK? >> OUTDOOR STORAGE IS PROPOSED AS PART OF THIS TO STORE THE VEHICLES THAT ARE WAITING TO BE

WORKED ON. >> BEHIND A FENCE?

>> YES. IT'S PART OF A STAFF REPORT AND SUMMARY, WAS THAT THERE WERE VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY PARKED WITHIN THAT 5-FOOT DEVELOPMENT EDGE.

EVERYTHING'S BEEN MOVED OUT OF THE DEVELOPMENT EDGE, BUT THIS OUTDOOR STORAGE IS COMPLIANT WITH THE PUD.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.

AND MANY OF THESE WERE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS.

BUT WE ADDRESSED THEM IN THE MEETING, THIS PLAN TO GET THOSE CARS, WHICH IF LEFT IN FRONT OF THE GATE ARE UNSIGHTLY.

CAN WE HAVE A GAME PLAN FOR THAT.

MR. PERALTA UNDERSTANDS, HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE A DETRIMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. I THINK HIS BUSINESS HAS BEEN AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE MEASURING STICK FOR THAT IS HOW BUSY HE IS. SO I'M COMFORTABLE MAKING THIS MOTION. THOSE CONCERNS GOING INTO THE MEETING HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE APPLICANT.

SO BEAR WITH ME WHILE I PULL THIS UP.

I'M GOING TO MOVE TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2026-12, APPROVING PUD 2024-02, 10150 CARTWHEEL BAY BASED UPON FINDINGS OF FACT AS

LISTED IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> I'LL SECOND THAT.

>> LET'S VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0.

[4. Public Hearing * REZ 2025-14 Anchor Faith - Mall 2121.]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4.

MR. WHITE HOUSE. WE ARE QUASI JUDICIAL, AREN'T WE. GIVE US JUST A MINUTE.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU. I ONLY HAD A HANDFUL OF EMAILS.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

>> A HANDFUL OF MEETINGS, AND I THINK I TALKED TO YOU BRIEFLY.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. I HAD THE SAME HANDFUL OF EMAILS. I HAVE NO RECORD OF MEETINGS BUT I DID HAVE A PHONE CALL TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF A

DATA CENTER HERE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> YES.

I HAD THE SAME HANDFUL OF EMAILS AND I DID NOT HAVE A MEETING ON

THIS. >> OKAY.

I HAD TWO EMAILS. I DID HAVE A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH MR. WHITEHOUSE AND ALSO HAD ABOUT A TEN MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH PASTOR EARL IN THE HALLWAY. YOU NOW HAVE THE FLOOR, SIR.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS.

JAMES WHITEHOUSE, ST. JOHN'S LAW GROUP.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF ANCHOR MALL.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE INFILL ZONING OF THIS MIXED USE DISTRICT PARCEL REZONING 2025-14.

THE LOCATION OF THIS PROPERTY IS AT 2121 US ONE SOUTH, JUST SOUTH OF 312 ON THE WEST SIDE OF US ONE.

AS MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW, THIS IS THE FORMER MALL, THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

THE AREAS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS JUST THE INTERIOR SECTIONS. I WILL SHOW YOU IN A MINUTE.

YOU CAN SEE OUTLINED IN YOUR YELLOW -- IN YELLOW AND IN YOUR STAFF REPORT, THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A HUGE MIXED USE DISTRICT THAT CONSUMES THE WHOLE INTERSECTION AND GOING SOUTH A GOOD WAYS EVEN PAST THE PONCE DE LEON MALL.

THE ZONING IS LOCATED IN AN AREA WHERE THERE'S A NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL INTENSE USES.

AND ACROSS THE STREET THERE'S SOME OIL CHANGE PLACES RIGHT

[03:40:03]

THERE AT THAT C I.. THERE'S A CAR WASH, A BUNCH OF OTHER USES IN THAT AREA WHICH IS REALLY AN EXTENSION OF THAT 312US1 BUSY COMMERCIAL AREA THAT WE ALL KNOW.

THIS IS A REQUEST TO REZONE JUST THE INNER AREA OF ANCHOR FAITH PROPERTY TO COMMERCIAL GENERAL. THE SITE PLAN ILLUSTRATES THE BUILT IN BUFFERING FROM THE AREAS REMAINING IN THE COMMERCIAL GENERAL CATEGORY AS THE INTENDED USE FOR THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS NOT CHANGING AT ALL. IN THE GREEN IS THE INNER AREA THAT IS BEING REQUESTED TO REZONE TO COMMERCIAL.

YOU CAN SEE THE OUTSIDE AREAS WILL REMAIN IN COMMERCIAL GENERAL TO PROVIDE BUILT IN BUFFERING JUST IN CASE THERE MIGHT BE AN OBJECTION AROUND IT, EVEN THOUGH THE STAFF, AS YOU SEE, FINDS THE PROPOSED REZONING OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA AND ALL THE OTHER USES I JUST POINTED OUT. AS YOU SEE FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THIS IS EXACTLY IN LINE WITH THE MIXED USE DISTRICT, TALKS ABOUT OBJECTIVE POLICIES AND GOALS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THE PLANNING DIVISION HAS ROUTED THIS REQUEST TO ALL THE APPROPRIATE VIEWING DEPARTMENTS.

THERE ARE NO OPEN COMMENTS. THE REQUEST TO REZONING TO COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE IS CONSISTENT WITH FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND BASED ON ALL THE APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED.

SO IT APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA.

STAFF HAS RECEIVED NO CORRESPONDENCE OR PHONE CALLS REGARDING THIS REQUEST AND THEY PROVIDE A MOTION AND FINDINGS OF FACT FOR APPROVAL. WE ASK THIS BOARD TO REASONABLY REVIEW THIS AND APPROVE IT BASED ON THE FACT THAT IT'S CONSISTENT, COMPATIBLE REQUEST THAT FURTHERS THE OBJECTION POLICIES FOR THIS DISTRICT AND PROVIDE FINDINGS.

THE ONLY THING I WANT TO ADD AT THE END IS, I GUESS I WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A POST SAYING THEY DIDN'T WANT DATA CENTERS IN THIS AREA. WE WANT TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR, NUMBER 1, THERE WAS NEVER ANY INTENT TO DO ANY KIND OF DATA CENTER. BUT NUMBER 2, WE WOULD SUGGEST IF THERE'S A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT A CONDITION COULD BE ADDED TO THAT STATING THAT NO DATA CENTERS WOULD BE ALLOWED ON THIS PROPERTY. WE ARE FULLY COMFORTABLE WITH

THAT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> CAN YOU ALSO ADD THE ADDITION OF THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THAT.

>> YEAH, THAT WOULD BE FINE. >> I JUST HAD A QUESTION BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A MEETING ABOUT THIS.

WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO WITH IT?

>> IT'S THE SAME USE AS GOING ON NEAR THE CHURCH.

THEY'VE BEEN THERE A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THEY BOUGHT THE PROPERTY AND THEY BOUGHT A BUNCH OF THE PROPERTIES AROUND IT. IT'S A MALL AS WELL, AND AS YOU SEE FROM THE STAFF REPORT, MALLS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS. A LOT OF THE STUFF THEY ARE DOING THERE, FOR INSTANCE, ONE OF THE CAR DEALERSHIPS AROUND HAD A FEW CARS THAT THEY WERE STORING IN THE PARKING LOT AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE C I. INSTEAD OF CG.

NOBODY WOULD EVEN KNOW THAT THEY ARE THERE BECAUSE IT'S A MALL PARKING LOT. AND IN CG YOU CAN DO A 100 FLEET RENTAL, BUT YOU CAN'T DO THE STORAGE OF OVERFLOW FROM ADJOINING CAR DEALERSHIP. SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS.

SOMETIMES, AS MALLS USUALLY DO, ONE OF THE TENANTS INSIDE MIGHT HAVE AN OUTDOOR TABLE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

TECHNICALLY THAT'S OUTDOORS. SO IT'S REALLY ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE CONSISTENT. NOTHING NEW THAT THEY ARE TRYING

TO DO. >> GREAT, THANK YOU.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4. GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> HELLO AND GOOD AFTERNOON MR. CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS CHRISTA CASE AND I'M A NATIVE SAINT AUGUSTINIAN AND CURRENT RESIDENT SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY REGARDING AGENDA ITEM RAZ2025-14, ANCHOR FAITH MALL. AND ASK EMPHATICALLY THAT YOU VOTE NO ON THIS REZONING REQUEST.

TRUST ME WHEN I SAY I WANT NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR THEM ALL PROPERTY. LIKE MANY OTHERS IN MY GENERATION, I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THE MALL IN ITS HEYDAY AND IT CERTAINLY COULD USE A GLOW UP. HOWEVER, AFTER DAYS OF RESEARCH, I STILL CANNOT FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT THE PLAN IS HERE.

THE FACT SHEET I SUBMITTED TODAY OUTLINES THE MANY DEFICIENCIES OF THIS ZONING REQUEST, INCLUDING THE REQUEST TO ONLY REZONE THE INTERIOR 9.56 ACRE PORTION OF THE OVERALL SURROUNDING 25-ACRE DEVELOPMENT PARCELS.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE BUSINESS WOULD NOT ENCROACH ON THE SURROUNDING COMMERCIAL GENERAL LAND.

IN ADDITION, PUBLIC RECORDS REVEAL A $10.7 MILLION MORTGAGE WITH ESCROW OBLIGATIONS THAT SEEM TO BE INTERRUPTED AS EVIDENCED BY THE $144,000 DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES.

THIS COUPLED WITH CROWD SOURCED DOWN PAYMENT OF $1.1 MILLION

[03:45:05]

DOCUMENTED UNPERMITTED USE COMPLAINTS, DEFERRED MAINTENANCE WOULD INDICATE A STRAINED PERSONAL FINANCIALLY.

GRANTING A ZONING INCREASE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS INTRODUCES FURTHER UNKNOWN RISKS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SALE AND OPENS THE DOOR PERMANENTLY FOR UNWANTED HIGH INTENSITY BUSINESSES. IN ST. AUGUSTINE, WE BELIEVE IN TRANSPARENCY IN BUSINESS. BUSINESSES THAT ARE FUNDED ON SOLID FOUNDATIONS AND STRAIGHTFORWARD CAPITAL INVESTMENTS THAT ARE SECURE, VERIFIABLE AND FULLY INCOME TAX ACCOUNTABLE. CROWDSOURCED MONEY IS TREATED WITH INTEGRITY AND TRUST AND HONORS THE VISION MARKETED TO THE PEOPLE WHO DONATED, NOT FOR AUTO STORAGE.

WE SUPPORT BUSINESSES THAT PROACTIVELY PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MEASURES, GREEN SPACE INCLUSION AND UPHOLD HIGH MEASURES OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

BUSINESSES THAT HAVE ETHICAL WHEREWITHAL TO RESEARCH DUE DILIGENCE OPTIONS BEFORE ENGAGING IN BUSINESS FOR PROFIT.

IN ST. AUGUSTINE, THE ST. AUGUSTINE WE BELIEVE IN IS A SUSTAINABLE LEADER IN PROGRESS. OUR LEADERS ARE REALISTIC ABOUT THE CURRENT CAPACITY AND PROTECT OUR FAMILIES SAFE ROUTES TO WORK AND SCHOOL. THEY ALSO ALLOW AMPLE TIME FOR FULL STABILIZATION OF NEW GROWTH BEFORE INTRODUCING MORE COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE ZONING CHANGE.

TO BE CLEAR, AND IN MY STATEMENTS WE DO NOT WANT ANY MORE INTENSITY. THIS IS INTENSE ENOUGH.

WE DO NOT WANT DATA CENTERS, MORE CAR DEALERSHIPS, CAR STORAGE, CAR WASHES, STORAGE FACILITIES, PARKING LOTS, GAS STATIONS, OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT COMES WITH COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE ZONING. IN THIS BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC AREA OR ELSEWHERE. PLEASE SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND VOTE NO ON THIS AGENDA ITEM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4? GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MICHAEL REED AND I LIVE IN THE DISTRICT ZONE. THE REZONING OF THE 9.56 ACRES FROM COMMERCIAL GENERAL TO COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL ZONE WOULD PERMIT MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL CONFLICTS AND LEAVE SPACE THAT WOULD ALLOW HEAVY COMMERCIAL GEAR AND FLEETS OF COMMERCIAL TRUCKS IN THE BACK. EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS THE FACT THAT BY ALLOWING C I. ZONING, IT GIVES THE APPLICANT A BLANK CHECK TO BRING ANYTHING THEY WANT, INCLUDING A DATA CENTER, EVEN IF THEY SAY THEY DON'T WISH TO DO THAT.

WITHOUT ANY PRE-PLANNING PUBLIC INPUT, OR NEW ZONING.

WE ARE ALREADY UNDER PHASE THREE WATER RESTRICTIONS, AND THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WATER CONSUMED BY A DATA CENTER WOULD DISREGARD ANY NECESSARY WATER RESTRICTIONS.

ALSO, THE HUGE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMED WOULD RAISE THE COST OF ELECTRICITY TO THE ENTIRE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

WE ALSO DON'T WANT FURTHER TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN AN AREA WITH ALREADY GROWING RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC.

IF THE PLANS OF THE APPLICANT WERE TRULY FOR A FLEX SPACE, THE APPLICANT WOULD REQUEST PUD ZONING, WHICH WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTS TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT COMES TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

ALL TOO OFTEN, PRIVATE COMMERCIAL PROFIT BENEFITS AT THE EXPENSE OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS.

PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.

PLEASE CONSIDER LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OVER SHORT TERM

PROFITS. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MISS TAYLOR, FOR ASKING THE QUESTION.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY CLARIFICATION THAT WHAT HE SAID WILL NOT BE IN THEIR, AND IF THERE'S A SALE GOING ON WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE NEW OWNERS OF IT. I NEED TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT THIS IS THE SAME CHURCH WITH THEIR SCHOOL THAT CAME IN HERE THAT DID THE ORDINANCE FOR SMOKING ON BEACHES AND NOT CIGARS. BUT BESIDES THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE, TELLING YOU WHAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO.

AND THEN IF IT GETS SOLD, YOU'VE ALREADY ALLOWED THEM TO DO

[03:50:03]

WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO. WHAT IS THE REAL REASON FOR C I.? WHY CAN'T THEY DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO WITH CG? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

THIS SHOULDN'T BE PASSED. I APPRECIATE THERE ARE PEOPLE COMING OUT AND SPEAKING THAT ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE AREA AND WILL BE AFFECTED. THEY CAME IN, GOT RID OF EVERYTHING ELSE, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I GO TO SHOP, AND IT'S STILL THERE, BUT THAT'S THEIR JUSTIFICATION.

I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TO CHANGE THIS TO C I..

IT'S GOING TO BE TOO INTENSE FOR THAT AREA.

CAN HE ANSWER WHAT HE WANTS TO PUT IN THERE, OR WHAT HIS CLIENT WANTS TO PUT IN THERE? IT'S NOT CLARIFYING WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE. AND IF YOU GIVE HIM PERMISSION NOW, ANY ONE ELSE CAN COME IN AND HAVE THAT PROVISION TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO. WHICH COULD BE EVEN MORE INT INTENSE. PEOPLEARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DATA THEN GOING IN WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO IN.

I'M NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND FACEBOOK THINGS, BUT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, THESE TWO PEOPLE REALLY SPOKE UP.

THERE'S A REASON WE DON'T TELL ANYBODY AHEAD OF TIME WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SAY, AND IF YOU GIVE THEM TWO OR THREE HEADS UP AT SOME OF THESE MEETINGS, THEY'VE GOT IT COVERED.

SHIRLEY HUNT, MILL CREEK ESTATES.

RECENTLY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WE'VE HEARD THIS BIG PUSH ON PROPERTY RIGHTS, WITH ALL THE HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS COMING DOWN. WE ARE GETTING INFORMED THAT PROPERTY RIGHTS, PROPERTY RIGHTS, PROPERTY RIGHTS.

WHY ARE WE NOT DOING OUR JOB TO KEEP PROPERTY RIGHTS THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE? THEY OWN IT, WHY CAN'T THEY DO IT THEMSELVES? THEY DON'T NEED TO COME HERE.

THIS SEEMS LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

WE HEAR IT A LOT. BUT IT'S NOT HOLDING ANY STRUCTURE. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF THEY DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT'S GOING ON, DO YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON? WHAT IF THEY WANT TO PARK A THOUSAND CARS RIGHT THERE AND ENCOMPASS THAT WHOLE AREA, WHICH HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST. IT'S A PROFITABLE MARGIN.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS. A PROFITABLE MARGIN FOR A CH CHURCH. BUT ISN'T IT KIND OF STRANGE WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS MORNING, WHERE THAT ONE RELIGIOUS FACILITY DIDN'T NEED THAT.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE IT IN THEIR AREA.

AND THIS ONE DOES. SO IT IS CONFLICTING.

IS THIS FOR PERSONAL PROFIT FOR THE CHURCH TO DO SOMETHING ELSE, DOES ANY OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE CHURCH HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY WITH IT? IT'S JUST LIKE THE CHURCH WITH THE PASTOR SAID, SURE, A BC LIQUOR WILL SEND US MONEY.

NO ONE TALKED TO ANY MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH LIKE I DID.

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER ANY MORE. BUT AS WE HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WE NEED TO GET ON THE BALL.

WHY SHOULD THE STATE BE TELLING US WHAT TO DO WHEN WE CAN'T DO IT OURSELVES? THIS THING CHANGES FROM ITEM TO ITEM, BUT, YES, BUT IF THEY JUST WANT TO SAY, CI, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PUT THERE? WHAT IS THE PLAN? COME ON, REALLY? LET'S JUST ADD SOME MORE STRUCTURE INTO IT. HAVE SOME MORE STRUCTURE.

WHEN WE STRUCTURED THAT APPEAL FOR THE A BC LIQUOR STORE, AND

[03:55:04]

YOU FELL FOR IT. >> THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> MR. WHITEHOUSE, IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY -- I'M NOT A LAWYER. IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY THAT IF HE SELLS THE PROPERTY THE ZONING REVERTS BACK TO THE CG?

>> NO, WE DON'T REALLY DO THAT WITH ZONINGS.

BUT IF I CAN JUST ADDRESS -- >> THAT WAS ALL I WANTED TO ASK,

REALLY. >> NUMBER 1, I WANT TO POINT OUT, THIS IS COMING WITH A 7-0 RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD. THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE. YOUR EXPERT STAFF FOUND IT'S APPROPRIATE. IT FURTHERS THE GOALS, POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES OF YOUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ZONING AROUND IT, YOU HEAR DISCUSSION ABOUT SOME OF THESE PARTICULAR USES, BUT EVERY ONE OF THOSE PROPERTIES AROUND HERE, IT'S RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO IT.

SO WE REALIZED WE WERE IN A POLITICAL SEASON AND ANYBODY CAN SAY ANYTHING ABOUT ANYTHING. BUT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ALMOST A YEAR WITH THIS APPLICATION.

THERE'S NO TRICKERY, THERE'S NO NOT TELLING ANYBODY ANYTHING.

YOU SEE THERE'S NO OPEN COMMENTS, EXPERT STAFF SAYS THIS IS APPROPRIATE, YOU'RE PLANNING AND BOARD STAFF SAYS THIS IS APPROPRIATE. AND I'M TELLING YOU IT'S REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE BASED ON OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR IS THE INTERSECTIONS.

WE COULD HAVE COME TO YOU AND SAID, ALL THE PROPERTY THAT SURROUNDS THIS, NOT JUST THE PARTS THAT ARE IN OUR PARCEL, BUT THE PART WHICH SAYS CG ABOVE, THEY OWN ALL OF THAT.

I COULD HAVE SAID, WHY DON'T WE JUST RESIGN THIS WHOLE THING TO C I. IF THEY HAD SOME NOT APPROPRIATE INTENT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THE REASON THIS CAME IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS BECAUSE I TOLD YOU TRANSPARENTLY BECAUSE SOMEBODY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THEM HAVING EXTRA CARS FROM THE DEALERSHIP NEXT DOOR. AND THEN WE SAID, WHY DON'T WE REZONE THIS WHOLE AREA IN THE MIDDLE, KEEPING THE BUFFER ZONES AROUND IT AND IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE.

AND PEOPLE SAY, HE CAN SAY WHATEVER HE WANTS TO.

I'M THE ONE PROPOSING TO YOU TO ADD A CONDITION TO SAY NO DATA CENTERS ON THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY.

AND THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE, I THINK AND THAT'S WHY IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT WE ASK FOR YOUR REASONABLE CONSIDERATION.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.

THROUGH THE CHAIR TO LEGAL, I HAVE A QUESTION BASED ON SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT WE HEARD. IF THE APPLICANT SAYS NO DATA CENTERS WILL BE ALLOWABLE AND HE'S WAVING HIS RIGHT TO THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, CAN WE PUT THAT IN THE TEXT AGREEMENT SO THAT IT'S ENFORCEABLE, OR IS IT SOMETHING THEY CAN SAY AND GET

AROUND TO IT LATER? >> WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR MOTION WE CAN ADD CONDITIONS TO THE ACTUAL ORDINANCE THAT STATE PROHIBITING DATA CENTERS AND EXERCISING THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.

>> OKAY. I HAVE NO ISSUE, JUST FOR WHATEVER IT'S WORTH, WITH THIS REZONING WHATSOEVER.

I WOULD HAVE A BIG ISSUE IF THEY WERE PLANNING ON BUILDING A DATA CENTER AND I'D WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY ARE WANTING TO PUT A CONDITION IN TO ANY PROPOSED MOTION THAT THEY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A DATA CENTER UNDER C I., THE LIVE LOCAL ACT. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS

APPLICATION. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.

>> THANK YOU. WHAT ABOUT EVEN DOING IT AS A PUD, BECAUSE THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT BEING SO INTENSE?

>> PEOPLE TALK ABOUT, WE CAN JUST DO A PUD AND CONTROL EVERYTHING. THE FACT IS A PUD IS VERY INVOLVED. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH JUST CONTROLLING THE USES. YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT ALL THE DIFFERENT -- THAT'S WHY YOU SEE SOME OF THESE REUSED PROPERTIES THAT BECOMES A PUD, YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF WAIVERS.

THEY HAVE A HUGE ASPHALT PARKING LOT.

THERE'S NO WAY THAT'S GOING TO MEET THE ISR UNDER CODE.

AND IF WE ARE DOING A PUD, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION. THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN DOING ANY KIND OF SPECIAL USES. THEY JUST WANT TO DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING, AND TO DO THAT IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE TO DO A PUD, BECAUSE THAT'S VERY INTENSIVE. AND WE ARE NOT ASKING TO REARRANGE THE SITE. WE ARE NOT ASKING TO TRY TO DO SPECIAL USES WHERE YOU HAVE CONDITIONS.

WE ARE JUST TRYING TO ASK TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE ARE DOING. AND YOUR EXPERT STAFF TELLS YOU THAT A MALL WOULDN'T EVEN BE APPROPRIATE IN CG.

IF THAT WAS THE REASON THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO DO IT.

>> GREAT, THANK YOU. I THOUGHT, HOW CAN WE ADDRESS

SOME OF THESE CONCERNS. >> I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THEN TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2026-

[04:00:05]

>> THIRTEEN. >> APPROVE AND REZONE BASED ON FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT AS PROVIDED IN THIS COURT WITH TWO CONDITIONS. NO DATA CENTERS AND NO LIVE

LOCAL. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

LET'S VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0.

[5. Public Hearing * CPA(SS) 2025-15 4060 County Road 13 S.]

THANK YOU. LET'S GET TO AGENDA ITEM NUM

NUMBER 5. >> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, SIR.

>> MY NAME IS JOHN LEON. I CURRENTLY RESIDE AT 33...

I AM HERE TO REQUEST A CHANGE OF USE AT MY PROPERTY AT 4060 COUNTY ROAD 13S. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO BUILD A SINGLE FAMILY HOME THAT WE INTEND TO OCCUPY.

THAT IS THE PROPERTY. IT'S DIVIDED BY COUNTY ROAD 13S TO THE LEFT, WHICH IS WEST. IT'S COMPLETELY WETLAND.

TO THE RIGHT IS MOSTLY WETLAND. WE HAVE 4 ACRES UPLANDS.

THE ISSUE WAS THAT WE HAVE 18.75 ACRES AND YOU NEED 20 TO BUILD, SO WE ARE REQUESTING A CHANGE OF USE.

THAT'S IT. >> OKAY.

ANY QUESTIONS? LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5. SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> BACK TO THE BOARD FOR A

MOTION. >> FORGIVE ME.

YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU.

MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2026- >> FOURTEEN.

>> APPROVING AMENDMENT SMALL SCALE 25-15, 4060 COUNTY ROAD 13 SOUTH BASED UPON FINDINGS OF FACT WITH THE TEXT AMENDMENT AS

PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> I'LL SECOND THAT.

>> LET'S VOTE. OR DO WE HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT? WAIT, WE DID.

[6. Public Hearing * CDD AMD 2026-01 Rivers Edge II CDD (Rivertown).]

OKAY. THAT PASSES 5-0.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> LET'S GO STRAIGHT TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6.

YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS WES ABRAHAM.

WE ARE IN TALLAHASSEE, 107 WEST PARK AVENUE.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF JACKSONVILLE IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR REQUEST TO REMOVE A PROPERTY FROM THE RIVER'S EDGE CDD. SO OUR CLIENT FILED A PETITION WITH THE COUNTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE REMOVAL.

BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, CDD WAS CREATED BACK IN 2018 AND CONSISTS OF APPROXIMATELY 980 ACRES.

THE PROPERTY WE ARE SEEKING TO REMOVE IS 298 ACRES.

THE CDD ITSELF HAS ADOPTED A RESOLUTION APPROVING OR CONSENTING TO THE REMOVAL OF THE PROPERTY, SO THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS BY THE BOARD THAT COMPRISES THE CDD.

THERE ARE PRESENTLY NO CDD IMPROVEMENTS OR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE PROPERTY THAT WE ARE SEEKING TO REMOVE.

THE PROPERTY CONSISTS LARGELY OF NON-ACCESSIBLE COMMON UNDEVELOPABLE WETLANDS AND UPLANDS WHICH THERE IS NO CURRENT PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT. HERE'S A MAP OF THE EXISTING CDD AND THE PROPERTY TO BE REMOVED. THE PROPERTY TO BE REMOVED IS THE LIGHT BLUE PORTION. ONCE REMOVED, THE CDD WOULD CONSIST OF 685.81 ACRES. CHAPTER 190 FLORIDA STATUTES PROVIDES CERTAIN ELEMENTS THAT MUST BE SHOWN IN ORDER TO HAVE A BOUNDARY AMENDMENT APPROVED. THOSE ELEMENTS ARE SET FORTH ON

[04:05:03]

THAT SLIDE. I WON'T READ THEM ALL TO YOU, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP YOUR TIME. BUT WE DID SUBMIT PRE-FILED TESTIMONY FROM A DISTRICT ENGINEER, THE DISTRICT ENGINEER AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT MANAGER AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PETITIONER. AND THIS IS JUST A CHART SHOWING WHERE IN THAT AUTHENTICATED PREFILED TESTIMONY ALL THOSE ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN MET. AT THIS POINT, THE REMOVAL OF THE PROPERTY DOESN'T IMPACT ANY OF THE EXISTING LANDOWNERS WITHIN THE CDD. IT WILL NOT RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THEIR ASSESSMENTS. IN FACT, IT REMOVES SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES FROM THE CDD. THERE ARE CERTAIN WETLANDS IN THE PROPERTY TO BE REMOVED THAT I THINK ARE PRESENTLY MAINTAINED BY THE CDD, WHICH WILL THEN BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CLIENT. SO WE BELIEVE ALL THE ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN SHOWN AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE COMMISSION

APPROVED THE BOUNDARY AMENDMENT. >> THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE BOARD? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, YOU

HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.

OF THE PORTION THAT YOU ARE REMOVING, SOME OF IT IS WET AND SOME OF IT IS UPLANDS. WHAT'S THE ACREAGE AT UPLANDS?

>> I DIDN'T SEE THAT INFORMATION.

I MAY HAVE MISSED IT IN THE REPORT.

>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

MY CLIENT IS IN THE AUDIENCE AND BELIEVES IT'S APPROXIMATELY 50.

>> ROUGHLY 50 UPLAND ACRES. >> IT'S ROUGHLY AROUND 100 ACRES

OF UPLAND. >> BUT THERE'S NO CURRENT PLANS

TO DEVELOP THOSE. >> NO, SIR.

WE HAVE USED OUR ENTITLEMENTS ON THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE SITE.

THAT WAS AN INTERNAL DECISION. WE ENDED UP WITH 24 UNITS LEFT OVER THAT WE COULD BUILD ON THAT SIDE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF LOTS, WE WOULD HAVE TO BUILD TO TAKE UP THOSE 24 UNITS.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO DEVELOP THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO GO OVER THERE AND BUILD THOSE UNITS. THAT'S WHY WE ARE LOOKING TO

PULL THOSE OUT OF THE CDD. >> THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS. APPRECIATE THAT.

>> I JUST HAD A QUESTION. WHAT DO THEY INTEND TO DO? I REALIZE THERE'S NOT PLANS NOW, BUT THAT'S 100 ACRES THAT YOU COULD POTENTIALLY DO SOMETHING WITH.

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NO PLAN.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH IT IN THE FUTURE.

IT'S JUST GOING TO BE MATTAMY LAND, JUST KIND OF SIT THERE FOR

RIGHT NOW. >> THE ONE THING I WOULD NOTE IS THIS REMOVAL OF THIS PROPERTY WOULD NOT IMPACT THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO HAVE ANY APPROVAL AUTHORITY.

ANY APPROVAL AUTHORITY YOU HAVE NOW IN THE CDD AND ANY APPROVAL YOU'D HAVE ONCE IT'S REMOVED FROM THE CDD WOULD NOT CHANGE.

REALLY THE REASON FOR REMOVING IT IS THERE'S PRESENTLY NO BENEFIT FOR EITHER THE CDD FOR IT TO REMAIN IN OR MATTAMY FOR IT TO REMAIN IN. SO THEY JUST HAVE IT REMOVED BECAUSE THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT A CDD DOES, THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE CDD WOULD NOT DO THAT IN THIS AREA OF ONLY 24 LOTS. SO IT MAKES SENSE FOR BOTH PARTIES TO HAVE THE PROPERTY REMOVED AND DOESN'T IMPACT ANY RIGHTS THE COUNTY HAS AS IT RELATES TO THE PROPERTY IN THE

FUTURE. >> THANK YOU.

>> IT MIGHT BE A GOOD CONSIDERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT DONATION TO THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA LAND TRUST.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> OKAY.

WITH NO MORE QUESTIONS, WE WILL GO STRAIGHT TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM

NUMBER 6. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. I LIVE ON HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY.

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT OR THIS CD, BUT I WILL JUST POINT OUT THAT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A DEVELOPER SEEKING A CHANGE THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONDITION -- BUILDING UPON WHAT YOU SUGGESTED, COMMISSIONER MURPHY.

I WOULD ALSO SAY PERHAPS THAT YOU WOULD ONLY ENTERTAIN USE OF THE REMOVED PROPERTY EITHER FOR CONSERVATION OR FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PURPOSES. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SORT OF THING W WERE TALKING ABOUT. RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE SOME LEVERAGE. THERE'S AN EXISTING STATE, THEY WOULD LIKE A CHANGE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6?

[04:10:04]

SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU. AS WELL INTENTIONED AS THOSE COMMENTS ARE, I THINK THAT WOULD REQUIRE A WHOLE OTHER APPLICATION PROCESS. I DON'T THINK WE CAN HOLD THOSE HOSTAGE TO TRY TO GET THAT. GOING TO MOVE TO AN ACT

ORDINANCE 2026- >> FIFTEEN.

>> APPROVING CDDAMD2026-01 RIVERS EDGE II BASED ON THREE FINDINGS OF FACT AS PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

>> I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. >> LET'S VOTE.

[7. Public Hearing * LDCA 2026-03 Landscaping Service Accessory Use.]

THAT PASSES 5-0. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU. WE WILL GO RIGHT TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. JACOB SMITH.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. JACOB SMITH WITH GROWTH MANAGEMENT. I'M PRESENTING AGENDA ITEMS NUMBER 7 AND 8 AND I JUST WANT TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF A PREFACE BEFORE THAT. THIS IS THE FIRST READING OF TWO PROPOSED ORDINANCES. ONE IS ON LANDSCAPING SERVICE AS AN ACCESSORY USE AND THE OTHER IS TO UPDATE OUR HOME BASED BUSINESS STANDARDS IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

THE REASON I BRING THAT UP IS THAT IT REQUIRES A SECOND HEARING. CURRENTLY THE SECOND HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE SECOND. IT DOES NEED A WAIVER IF THE BOARD DOESN'T WANT TO HOLD THAT MEETING AT 5:00.

SO I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP ON THE FRONT END AS I PRESENT THESE TWO ITEMS. ITEM NUMBER 7 IS LANDSCAPE SERVICES ACCESSORY USE. WE WERE ASKED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO DEVELOP LANGUAGE TO ALLOW A LANDSCAPE NURSERY TO SERVE AS AN ACCESSORY USE FOR PLANT NURSERIES IN OPEN RURAL ZONING BY SPECIAL USE.

SO THAT'S A MOUTHFUL, BUT ESSENTIALLY, IF YOU HAVE A LANDSCAPE NURSERY A PLANT NURSERY OUT IN OPEN RURAL WHERE THAT'S ALLOWED, YOU CAN COME TO THE PZA AND ASK FOR A SPECIAL USE TO DO A LANDSCAPE SERVICE ON SITE.

SO TALKING ABOUT LANDSCAPE SERVICE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE COMPANY THAT INSTALLS THE PLANTS YOU WOULD FIND AT THE NURSERY. AS PART OF THE SPECIAL USE STANDARDS, WE TOOK A LOT OF THINGS THAT ALREADY EXIST IN OUR CODE AND STUCK THEM UNDER SPECIAL USE, INCLUDING HOURS OF OPERATION, AMOUNT OF SITE DEDICATED TO THE LANDSCAPE SERVICE AREA, AND SEPARATION FROM RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

THIS IS THE PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENT.

IT'S ALL BRAND NEW LANGUAGE TO BE INSERTED INTO ARTICLE TWO.

SO THAT GIVES THE BOARD ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS OR CONCERNS, I'M HAPPY TO DISCUSS THIS PROPOSAL.

IF NOT I WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 8.

[8. Public Hearing * First Reading - LDCA 2026-02 Home-Based Business.]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS? YOU CAN CERTAINLY MOVE ON TO

ITEM NUMBER 8. >> ITEM NUMBER 8, AGAIN THIS IS A LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT TO ADD STATE STATUTE REQUIRED HOME BASED BUSINESS LANGUAGE INTO OUR CODE.

ULTIMATELY WHAT WE ARE DOING, CURRENTLY THE CODE REFERENCES HOME BASED BUSINESS AS HOME OCCUPATION.

SO WE ARE REMOVING ALL THE OLD REFERENCES TO HOME OCCUPATION AND ADDING IN ALL THE APPROPRIATE DEFINITIONS AND STANDARDS AS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATE LAW FOR HOME BASED BUSINESS. IT PREDOMINANTLY AFFECTS ARTICLE TWO FOR ALL THE ALLOWABLE USES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

AGAIN, I'M HAPPY TO GO OVER THAT.

I'VE GOT ALL THE RED LINES AND EVERYTHING IF WE NEEDED TO BREAK IT DOWN. BUT THIS IS JUST A FIRST READING. WE WILL COME BACK IF THERE'S ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR CHANGES PROPOSED.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SMITH. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU HAVE

THE FLOOR. >> FOR A HOME BASED BUSINESS FOR PERMITTED ASSESSING USES, ACCESSORY USES ARE WHAT, AND IS THAT WITHIN THE HOME OR THEY CAN BUILD ANOTHER ACCESSORY UNIT?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. THE WAY THAT'S PHRASED IN THERE IS MAYBE NOT THE BEST. ESSENTIALLY IT'S BEING ADDED AS AN ACCESSORY USE. SO IF YOU HAVE A RESIDENCE, HOME BASED BUSINESS BECOMES SOMETHING YOU CAN DO AT YOUR RESIDENCE.

FLORIDA STATUTE REQUIRES THAT BE CONDUCTED INSIDE YOUR HOME.

>> HOW DO YOU KEEP A BUSINESS FROM PRETENDING TO BE A HOME AND IT BECOMES A BUSINESS IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR RESIDENTIAL

NEIGHBORHOOD? >> ALL THE STANDARDS ARE LAID OUT IN STATE STATUTE, BUT ULTIMATELY IT HAS TO BE ACCESSORY TO, THE PRIMARY USE HAS TO BE A RESIDENCE OR ELSE IT WILL BE OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW AND LOCAL REGULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

>> IF THE BOARD WOULD CONSIDER WAIVING THE 5PM TIME RULE FOR

THE NEXT. >> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO

WAIVE THAT. >> CAN WE JUST USE CONSENSUS?

>> YOU HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

[04:15:02]

AND YOU WILL NEED PUBLIC COMMENT BECAUSE THESE WERE NOTICES OF

PUBLIC HEARINGS. >> LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS. THE MOTION TO NOT HAVE A 5:00 REQUIREMENT. THE WHOLE THING.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.

ON ALL OF IT. AGENDA ITEM SEVEN AND EIGHT.

>> IF YOU HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT.

SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> OKAY. BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. LET'S VOTE, PLEASE.

THAT IS THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR 5:00 MEETING.

[9. Shared Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network Presentation. ]

LET'S MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD, COMMISSIONER, CHAIR.

RYAN KING, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION JOINING ME TODAY.

>> GREG CALDWELL, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.

>> THIS IS A PRESENTATION ON THE SUN TRAIL SHARED USE NON-MOTORIZED TRAIL. THIS IS AT A REQUEST FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION AT A RECENT MEETING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE TRAIL. AND IN PARTICULAR THE BEACH BOULEVARD STRETCH. HERE'S A QUICK SHOWING OF THE AGENDA, AND AGAIN WE WILL GO OVER THE TIMELINE AND THE HISTORY OF HOW WE GOT HERE, MATCHING THAT WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND TALKING ABOUT THE BEACH BOULEVARD STRETCH WITHIN THERE.

THE SUN TRAIL LOOP IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IS PART OF A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE DRIVEN BY... THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY LOOP IS IN COOPERATION WITH FIVE COUNTIES AND THE PROGRAM MATCHES THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE AND STRATEGIC PLANS FOR THE VISION OF CONNECTIVITY, BEACH ACCESS, AND BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENTS THAT WE INCORPORATED AND THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES THAT YOU CAN SEE MATCH UP WITH THE ADDITION OF THE TRAIL NETWORK. ADDITIONALLY, IN THE ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN COMMUNITY SURVEY, YOU CAN SEE WHY RESIDENTS CHOOSE TO LIVE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND THE PRIORITIES OF ACCESS TO THE BEACH AND WATERWAYS, PARKS, NATURE PRESERVES AND 71% OF RESIDENTS SAID ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTY. ADDITIONALLY ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, ENCOURAGING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN INITIATIVES, COORDINATING WITH TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES FOR FUTURE TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS, ADVOCATE FOR BIKE LANES ON STATE AND COUNTY ROADS. THIS PROJECT JUST SCREAMS THE COUNTY STAFF WORKING TOGETHER WITH STATE AGENCIES, OTHER COUNTIES, TO BE ABLE TO MEET OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND BE ABLE TO DO THINGS. JUST A BRIEF HISTORY AND BACKGROUND. THE MAP ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE IS A GOOD PERSPECTIVE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE FULL 260-MILE TRAIL THROUGH THE FIVE COUNTIES. WE HAVE IT COLOR CODED.

GREEN IS EXISTING TRAIL. THINK OF THE 2007 TRAIL.

THAT'S ALREADY EXISTING IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

THE COLOR CODES HIGHLIGHT THE TRAIL NETWORK THAT'S ALREADY EXISTING. YELOW IS FUNDED FOR CONSTRUCTION, AND BLUE IS PARTIALLY FUNDED FOR PRECONSTRUCTION WITH DESIGN ALREADY UNDERWAY.

A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS WITHIN HERE.

IT'S A 260-MILE LOOP. WORKING WITH FIVE COUNTIES ON THAT ON THE EAST COAST. GREENWAY TRAIL, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION AUTHORIZED THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE FUNDING FOR THE PERMITTING AND DESIGN OF THE BEACH BOULEVARD STRETCH FROM POPE ROAD TO STATE ROAD A1A. DESIGN ELEMENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH GEOTECHNICAL SURVEY, DRAINAGE, ET-CETERA, AND THERE'S A FUNDING PROGRAM FOR CONSTRUCTION IN 2027 OF

$5.5 MILLION. >> WE ALSO WANTED TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON HOW WE GOT HERE.

THIS WAS CREATED BY SECTION 339.81, THE SHARED USE TRAIL PROGRAM. THEN WE HAVE SECTION 335-065, AUTHORIZING USE OF STATE TRANSPORTATION TO SUPPORT THIS TRAIL, AND LASTLY SECTION 320 .027.

[04:20:01]

FLORIDA LAND USE NONMOTORIZED TRAIL RECEIVES AN ALLOCATION FROM THE REDISTRIBUTION OF NEW VEHICLE TAG ALSO THE SUN TRAIL TIMELINE, THIS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE SOME TIME. IN 2008 IS THE FIRST TIME THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEARD THIS ITEM AND THAT IS WHEN WE APPROVED THE MOU WITH FOUR OTHER COUNTIES FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE OF US. WE WENT THROUGH A COUPLE OF EXTRA STEPS IN 2017 AND 2018 WHERE WE RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED A GRANT TO COMPLETE A STUDY. BASED ON THAT STUDY IN 2019 THERE WERE MULTIPLE PUBLIC MEETINGS TO OUTLAY THE PREFERRED ALIGNMENTS. THEN WENT THROUGH SOME RESOLUTIONS WITH NOT ONLY THE CITY OF ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH AND THE ST.~AUGUSTINE AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE PREFERRED ALIGNMENT AND WE ACCEPTED THE GRANT MONEY TO START THE DESIGN EFFORT ON FIVE SEGMENTS.

WE'RE FOCUSSING ON THE A1, AH BEACH BOULEVARD BUT THERE ARE OTHERS ALONG COUNTY ROAD 214 AND ALLAN MIS HE ROAD.

FOCUSSING ON THE A1 CROSS-SECTION.

ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE IS THE EXISTING CROSS-SECTION OF AH BEACH BOULEVARD. ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE IS THE PROPOSED AND THE EXISTING TRAVEL LANES ARE 10 FEET WIDE AND WILL INCREASE TO 11-FOOT WIDE WIDTH FOR ALL TRAFFIC PATTERNS.

THE CENTER LANE WILL REMAIN 11 FEET WIDE.

THE EXISTING ROADWAY PAVED SHOULDER WILL BE REMOVED.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGEOUT HERE, WE'RE TAKING IN THAT PAVED SHOULDER AND PUSHING THAT ADDITIONAL PAVEMENT INTO THE MULTI-TRAIL. THE 5-FOOT WIDE SIDEWALK ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE ROAD WILL BE REPLACED A TEN-FOOT WIDE SUN TRAIL AND THE SIDEWALK ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE ROAD REMAINS UNCHANGED. BASICALLY IF I MAKE IT FOR LAYMAN'S TERMS THE EAST SIDE WILL BE A TEN FOOT WIDE SIDEWALK TRAIL SYSTEM WITH THE EXACT SAME CROSSINGS THAT THE ORIGINAL ONE HAD TO CROSS THE SIDEWALK BUT IT WILL NOW BE 10 FEET WIDE.

AND THE WIDTH OF THE ROADWAY WILL BE NARROWED.

HERE'S A LITTLE RENDERING LOOKING AT 15TH STREET AND A1A TO GIVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT THE APPEARANCE WILL LOOK LIKE. SINCE THE ORIGINAL MEETING WE HAD WITH WITH A PUBLIC IT WAA 12-FOOT WIDE PATH AND NOW IT'S A 2-FOOT UTILITY STRIP WITH A GREEN BUFFER AND THAT GIVES A DIFFERENT EYE FOCUSES AND AS WELL AS THIS IS ALL BEHIND A CURBED SYSTEM. A BIT MORE.

THE EASTERN EDGE OF THE PROPOSED TRAIL FALLS WITHIN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE EXISTING SIDEWALK. THAT MEANS WE WILL NOT EXTEND ANY FURTHER EAST OF THE EXISTING SIDEWALK.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE WE START AND WE GO 10 FEET TO THE WEST.

THIS IS A 10-FOOT-WIDE SHARED PATH.

WE WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS AT POPE ROAD AND A STREET TO HELP GET TRAFFIC THROUGH THE AREAS MOSTLY FOR THE MULTIPURPOSE PATH. WE WILL RECONSTRUCT EXISTING DRIVEWAYS AND SIDEWALK COMPLEXION AS NECESSARY.

ALL ADA COME PREVENT. THE ACCESS TO PARKS, BEACH AND RESTAURANTS IS VIOLATES TO THE-- VITAL TO THE SUCCESS.

WE HAVE NEW SIGNINGAGE, MILLING AND NEW PAVEMENT MARKINGS.

THERE WILL KNOB DIFFERENCES TO THE DRAINAGE PATTERNS AND NEW INSTALLED STRUCTURES BUT EVERYTHING WILL REMAIN.

WE'RE NOT PUTTING IN NEW PONDS OR REEXISTING THE STONE WALLS TO DIFFERENT LOCATION HIS. WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY LANDSCAPING. NO EXISTING PALM TREES WILL REMAIN AND WE DO NOT EXPECT TO IMPACT THE EXISTING LANDSCAPING.

NOW DID WE GET HERE? BACK IN 2019 WHEN WE CONDUCTED THE STUDY WE LOOKED AT ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS AND% LOCATIONS FOR THIS TRAIL. WE LOOKED AT THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. THEY ALL INCLUDED A1 BEACH BOULEVARD TO ONE POINT AND DOWN MIKELER BOULEVARD AND WENT ON THE A1 BOULEVARD AND IS A BOARDWALK.

THE FIRST IS COMING DOWN MIKELER.

THE EXISTING CORRIDOR WAS AN OPTION.

THIS REQUIRED US TO COME UP THE BOULEVARD AND EXTEND DOWN F STREET OR A STREET TO CONNECT TO MIKELER.

THERE ARE SEPARATION ON AVALANCHE STREET AND F STREET AND THIS BEEPED MAJOR COMMERCIAL AND ACTIVITY CENTERS.

ULTIMATELY THIS WAS NOT PICKED AS THE PREFERRED OPTION BECAUSE WITHOUT THE CONNECTION TO THE BEACHES AND THE PEER PARK THIS

[04:25:02]

WAS NOT A PREFERRED OPTION. THE ALTERNATIVE NOT NUMBER TWO IS THE PREFERRED ALIGNMENT. THE BEST CEASE TO COMMERCIAL AND BEACH ACTIVITIES CENTERS SUPPORTS RECREATION GOALS AND THE STRONGEST COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY AND HAS SAFETY AND FUN ALL THE WAY THROUGH. FROM STATE ROAD A1A AND UP BEACH BOULEVARD TO POPE ROAD AND MAKE IT WESTBOUND DOWN TO SANTANDER.

THE LAST ONE WAS THE OCEAN FRONT BOARD WALK.

WHICH IS A VERY COOL OPTION. IT'S CREATING A BOARDWALK ON THE BEACH SIDE OF THE COMMUNITY. SCENIC ALIGNMENT SEPARATED FROM THE TRAFFIC, A GREAT BENEFIT FROM THISSEDAD BUT ENVIRONMENTAL AND COASTAL PERMITTING CHALLENGES WOULD MAKE THIS VERY HARD TO COMPLETE. POTENTIAL PRIVATE PROPERTY CONFLICTS. HIGHER CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND FEES ABLE TO CONCERNS SO THIS ULTIMATELY WAS NOT RECOMMENDED AT PREFERRED ALIGNMENT. THEN WHY A1A BOULEVARD, THE CONNECTIVITY THROUGH ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH AND THESE ARE ALL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE STUDY ITSELF OF IT'S THE STRONGEST ACCESS TO BUSINESS AND BEACH ACCESS, MOST COMPATIBLE WITH SUN TRAIL FUNDING CRITERIA. PROVIDES HIGHEST PUBLIC USABILITY AND COULD BE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE CORRIDOR STRENGTHS. THE BOULEVARD IS A COUNTY OWNED ROAD. ALL OF THIS WILL BE COMPLETED AND DESIGNED WITHIN THE COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY AS IT EXISTS AND THAT'S WHY THE COUNTY RECEIVED THE FUNDS FROM THE DOT.

THE DOT IS ASKING THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY TO CONDUCT THE PROJECTS AND THAT'S WHY ST.~JOHNS COUNTY WAS PROVIDED THESE FUNDS TO DELIVER THIS PROJECT AMONGST THE OTHER FOUR SEGMENT. SCHEDULE, FUNDING AND BUDGET, RIGHT NOW WE ARE CURRENTLY AT 60% DESIGN DEVELOPMENT.

THE DESIGN IS SET TO BE COMPLETED PER THE DOT GRANT AGREEMENT AND OUR CONTRACT BY JUNE 30, 2026.

WITH THE ANTICIPATION THAT WE COULD START SOME TIME IN EARLY 2027 FOR CONSTRUCTION. AS WE MOVE TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION WE WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY THIS CONSTRUCTION AND MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOK AT CONSTRUCTABILITY EFFORTS TO REDUCE ANY IMPACTS TO BUSINESSES AND HOMES. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT IS COMPLETE ALL THE WAY THROUGH AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND IT'S FUNDED BY $730,000 BY THE DOT. WE DO NOT HAVE CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET FOR 2026.

BUT THOSE FUNDS ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE DOT FIVE-YEAR WORK PROGRAM FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR WHICH THEIR FISCAL YEAR STARTS JULY OF 2026. SO THEY HAVE $5.5 MILLION IN THEIR WORK PROGRAM ALREADY IDENTIFIED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS SEGMENT HERE'S A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF OTHER AREAS WITH THE CORRIDOR AND THE TRAIL. WHAT DRIVEWAYS MAY LOOK LIKE ALONG THE SIDE AS WELL AS INTERSECTIONS AND SEPARATED CROSSINGS. DOWN IN MARINELAND ON A1A A PARK IN THE CITY OF FLAGWOOD BEACH, THERE ARE MULTIPLE TRAIL SEGMENTS THROUGH THESE AREAS AND SEEM TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

WITH THAT, THAT IS THE PRESENTATION JUST ON HOW WE GOT HERE. RYAN AND I ARE BOTH AVAILABLE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MR. CALDWELL, I'VE GOT SOME PHONE CALLS AND E-MAILS FROM THE FOLK AT C COLONY.

INTERSECTION THERE, THEY'RE RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE PUBLICS.

WOULD THERE BE OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO PUT IN SIGNALS OR TRAFFIC CALMING LIKE IN OTHER AREAS LIKE C COLONY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HEARD FROM THE C COLONY COMMUNITY IN OUR PUBLIC MEETING AND TOOK INITIATIVE TO LOOK AT THAT INTERSECTION BECAUSE IN ST.~JOHNS COUNTY WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO ENHANCE SAFETY. IF THERE IS AN ISSUE AT AN INTERSECTION WE WILL LOOK AT IT. WE'RE CURRENTLY EVALUATING THAT TO SEE IF WE'RE TAKING IT TO A FULL WARRANTED STUDY AND IF SO WE COME BACK TO THE BOARD TO REQUEST FUNDS OR COME THROUGH THE PUBLIC PROCESS TO FOR SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CALDWELL. MR. CHAIR, I INVITED CINDY STEVENSON WHO COME TO THIS MEETING.

SHE WAS HERE WHEN IT WAS VOTED ON IN 2008.

AS WELL AS PUBLIC COMMENT WE THOUGHT TO WOULD BE GOOD TO GET HISTORICAL CONTEXT SHE COULD COME IN ON THOUGHT PROCESS OF FUNDING AND THE POLICIES AND SHE'S A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON COUNTY AND STATE GOVERNMENT AND FUNDING MECHANISMS AND KIND OF THE THOUGHT THAT WENT INTO THIS. OF COURSE I WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL COMMISSIONERS BUT WE HAVE STATE REPRESENTATIVE CINDY

[04:30:02]

STEVENSON HERE. >> I WANT TO PUT UP THE SLIDE

WHERE SHE'S TALKING. >> CAN YOU PUT UP THE ONE WHERE IT'S THE REAL PICTURE OF HOW IT LOOKS? WAIT. NO, GO BACK.

ARE THESE REAL PICTURES OF BEACH?

>> THEY ARE REAL PICTURE OF THE BEACH BUT NOT ALONG THE A1A

BOULEVARD. >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION ABOUT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. THAT WAS MY QUESTION ABOUT THE

TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT THE PUBLIC... >> REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY.

C'MON UP. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, COMMISSIONER TRAILER, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE TRAIL. I'M HERE TO SHARE SOME CONE TEXT. YOU KNOW IT'S TAKEN A LONG TIME BET TO THE MONEY FOR-- TO GET THE MONEY FOR THIS.

WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRAFFIC ISSUES IN THIS SPECIFIC AREA. WHEN I WAS A COMMISSIONER I HAD MANY COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY AND PEDESTRIANS AND THE VULNERABLE USERS, THE BIKES AND THE PEDESTRIANS. IF MY RECOLLECTION IS APPROPRIATE WE'VE HAD INJURIES AND FATALITIES IN THIS CORRIDOR.

MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW MY HUSBAND WAS NEARLY KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I RAN SO I'M ALWAYS TENDER TOWARDS THESE THINGS. TRAFFIC NEGOTIATION AND SAFETY IS IMPORTANT TOO BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA THIS SCALE-- I'M A BICYCLE TOURIST, I GO ON RIDES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITH MY HUSBAND AND SEE LITTLE TOWNS BEING REBOUNDER AND REFRESHED-- REBORN AND REFRESHED BY TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS AND PEOPLE COMING AROUND TO THEM. BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL I WAS ON THE TRAILS COUNCIL FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT PEAKER RENNER APPOINTED ME TO AND I REALIZED EVERY PEAK THAT GOES IN THERE'S THERE'S -- EVERY TRAIL THAT GOES IN THERE'S OPPOSITION TO IT.

THAT WAS MY DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE FIRST SEGMENT IN OF 207 TRAIL. PEOPLE WERE AFRAID OF IT.

I HAD VERY SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS INTEREST PEOPLE CONTACT ME WITH THEIR CONCERNS. I INVESTED IN THEM AND THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ULTIMATELY CALLED ME TO EXACTLY WHEN THE TRAIL WENT IN AND TOLD ME HOW WONDERFUL IT WAS.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT REALLY MAKE ME WANT TO SEE GOOD THINGS LIKE THIS. I'LL TELL YOU IT'S A HARD THING TO BRING IN TRAILS. IT'S A CHANGE BUT IT'S ALSO CLEAR THAT MICROVULNERABILITY IS PART OF THE FUTURE.

THE LEGISLATURE FINALLY STARTED TO GIVE SOME TEETH TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR CONSTRAINING SPEED AND TYPES VEHICLES THAT TRAVEL ON THESE FACILITIES. AND HOW GREAT IT IS TO GET OUT ON YOUR BIKE AND GO A COUPLE OF MILES AND NOT GET YOUR CAR OUT ON THE ROAD. I WOULD SEE IN THE LITTLE TOWNS THAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH WHEN YOU GO ON A BIKE RIDE AND WHEN I'M TOURING OTHER PLACES YOU GO OPEN.

THEN YOU COME TO A LITTLE COMMUNITY AND YOU SLOW DOWN AND EAT LUNCH AND YOU ENJOY IT. MAYBE YOU SPEND THE NIGHT.

MAYBE YOU SPENT TWO NIGHTS. MAYBE THERE WOULD BE 10 OR 12 OF US ON A RIDE. IT'S WONDERFUL, AND CHARMING AND YOU FALL IN LOVE AND COME BACK TO DO OTHER THINGS THERE BECAUSE NOW IT'S A SPECIAL LITTLE PLACE THAT THE BIKE TYPE TOURIST I WAS, AM, ENJOY, AND IT'S THE SAME THING THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ENJOY AND LOVE. IT'S NOT TO DECIMATE AND PUT AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR ANYTHING. IT'S QUITE YOU FEEL WITH.

IT'S BEEN A REAL JOY TO ME TO SEE PEOPLE USING THE 207 TRAIL IN WAYS THAT I WOULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED.

I SEE PARENTS WITH THEIR KIDS ON TRAINING WHEELS AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE DAY AND PEOPLE DISCOVERED IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I LOVE TO HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT.

THAT'S THE PRIMARY REASON I CAME.

SORRY. I GET THIS WAY.

I DIDN'T REALLY EXPECT IT TO BE QUITE FINGERED THIS WAY BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

WE STARTED, THERE WAS A RAIL TRAIL ON 207.

THEN HERB PILLAR HAD THIS IDEA TO MAKE IT A LOOP AND PACK DOWN

[04:35:02]

IN HAVE A LUCIA COUNTY OH, YES. EVEN THOUGH IT'S A BIG LOOP AND CAPTUES THE IMAGINATION AND GIVES PEOPLE A REASON TO COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN TO VISIT YOUR AREA MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO USE IT MOST FREQUENTLY THE RESIDENTS, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA AND NOT ADDING HOTEL ROOMS, THERE'S NOT CAPACITY FOR THAT, BUT I DON'T SEE THIS AS A GIANT TRAFFIC ISSUE BUT PROBABLY A GOOD INTERNAL CAPTURE OF TRIPS, PEOPLE GETTING OUT AND ENJOYING THINGS. THE DETRACTORS TO THE CORRIDOR-- NOW THE PEOPLE THAT DRAWS THE PEOPLE TO THAT ARE GOING TO EXIST WHETHER THE TRAILS ARE THERE OR NOT.

YOU HAVE SOME EXISTING BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ISSUES ALONG THIS WAY. HOW GREAT TO HAVE PEOPLE BE ABLE GET OUT AND MAKE SOME OF THOSE TRIPS WITHOUT GETTING INTO THEIR CAR. I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THERE'S SOME SAFETY ISSUES, IT DOESN'T SOLVE EVERY ISSUE THERE BUT THIS IS A COUNTY CORRIDOR AND AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER THIS HE CAME MONEY FOR IT. THIS IS A $5.5 MILLION OPPORTUNITY WITH NO LOCAL MATCH. WE HAVE WAITED TEN YEARS FOR OUR TURN. THIS MONEY HAS BEEN GOING REGIONALLY AND WENT DOWN TO A MAJOR TRAIL IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

THEN CAME A LITTLE CLOSER AND WHOLE TIME-WISE, YOU'RE GONNA BE NEXT AND I SAID THEY'RE GONNA RUN OUT OF MONEY BEFORE THEY GET TO US. BUT IT'S HERE NOW AND IT'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY. I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THIS MONEY WILL BE AROUND IN FIVE YEARS WHEN PEOPLE CLEAR UP THEIR VISION. I UNDERSTAND WHY THE CORRIDOR OPTION WAS RECOMMENDED. I REALLY APPLAUD YOU TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR PEOPLE'S CONCERNS. BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR YOUR LIMITED CAPITAL DOLLARS BECAUSE IT'S A BIG COUNTY WITH A LOT OF NEEDS. THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY, SOMEBODY SAID GLOW UP EARLIER, I THOUGHT THIS WAS FUN, TO NOT GLOW UP BUT KIND OF REFRESH THIS AREA AND STILL HONOR THE SMALL COASTAL BEACH TOWN FEEL THAT IT HAS.

THANK YOU. I'M SORRY TO TAKE SO MUCH OF YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. IF THERE NO OTHER QUESTIONS,

PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9.

C'MON UP, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MA'AM. THANK YOU, MY NAME IS FRANK MASSKI, I LIVE IN-- [INDISCERNIBLE]-- THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I'VE GOT TO SAY THAT THIS TRAIL WILL BE PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALL ST.~JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS TO GET OUTDOORS AND EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS AND ENJOY THEMSELVES OF THE . BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY IT WILL PROVIDE SAFETY, A SAFE HAVEN FOR ALL OF US TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

I'VE GOT TO SAY 9,000 PEOPLE LAST YEAR ALONE IN FLORIDA WERE HIT BY A CAR. 201 OTHERS HAD DIED FROM THAT.

SO THIS TRAIL MAY SAVE A LIFE. AND IT WILL BRING A COMMUNITY

TOGETHER. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, NEIGHBOR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> DOES THIS THING WORK? >> IT DOES.

>> OKAY. ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH.

GOOD MORNING, I SUPPORT THE SUN TRAIL.

I BIKE. I BIKE BEACH BOULEVARD FREQUENTLY BUT IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY, SAFETY, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHANGE THE TRAILS PATH THROUGH OUR CITY.

IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE TO ROUTE A REGIONAL SHARED-USE TRAIL THROUGH A CROSSING-DENSE, PEDESTRIAN-HEAVY CHILDREN, BY THE WAY, TOURIST COMMERCIAL STRETCH LIKE BEACH BOULEVARD WHEN F. DOT IDENTIFIES A ALTERNATIVE.

THEY SHOW THAT BEACH BOULEVARD HAD SIGNIFICANTLY MORE CRASHES AND MORE CROSSING CONFLICTS THAN THE MIKELER BOULEVARD ALTERNATIVE. THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE MIKELER BULEVARD SAFER THAN BEACH BOULEVARD.

SO THIS IS NOT ABOUT SAFETY. MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE THIS COMMISSION AND STEVENSON APPROVED IT IN 2019.

E-BIKE USE EXPLODED. ACCORDING TO THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN 2018 AND 2022 JUST FOUR

[04:40:02]

YEARS E-BIKE INJURIES IN THE U.S. WENT FROM 1,600 TO 23,000 IN FOUR YEARS. THAT'S A 1300% INCREASE.

BUT THERE'S GOOD NEWS. THERE'S AN ALTERNATIVE.

I'LL SHOW THANK YOU. COMING UP FROM THE SOUTH ON THE PLANNED ROUTE AND WE COME UP 40 MILES FROM OR MONOBEACH ON STATE ROAD A1A BUT CONTINUE ON THE GREENLINE FOR 1.8 MILES UP TO 11 STREET AND TAKE A RIGHT ON 11 STREET WHICH HAS A WIDE-OPEN RIGHT-OF-WAY. DOWN TO MIKELER BOULEVARD, GO NORTH, AND THEN YOU T AT POPE ROAD.

MIKELER BOULEVARD IS ALREADY PART OF THE EAST COAST GREENWAY AND POPE ROAD IS ALREADY PART OF THE APPROVED ALIGNMENT.

THE BEAUTY OF THIS IS YOU CAN GO RIGHT TO THE OCEAN OR GO LEFT ON CONTINUE ON THE PLANNED ROUTE TO ST.~AUGUSTINE.

IT'S A WIN. IT HAS MULTIPLE ADVANTAGES.

26 FEWER CROSSING SPOTS. FAR FEWER PEDESTRIANS INCLUDING CHILDREN. IT KEEPS THE RIVER-TO-SEA LOOP INTACT AND THAT'S IMPORTANT. IT CONNECTS DIRECTLY FOR THE BEACH. -- TO THE BEACH.

MR. CALDWELL TALKED ABOUT BEACH CONNECT THINK OF THE THIS OPTION BRINGS IT TO YOU AND BRINGS THE SEA TO SEA AND IT BRINGS IN THE EXISTING TRAIL AND INCORPORATES PART OF THE APPROVED ALIGNMENT AND AVOIDS THE COUNTY ROAD AND BOULEVARD INTERSECTION AND KEEPS THE BEACH TRAFFIC OFF THE BEACH BOULEVARD THE. IT'S A WIN-WIN-WIN.

CYCLISTS GET WHAT THEY OWN AND THE BUSINESS OWNERS A SAFE ROUTE THROUGH THE CITY AND REMOVE THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES FROM THE

COUNTY. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> JUST A SECOND, LOOK, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE WANTING TO SUPPORT YOUR TEAM BUT WHEN THE NEXT PERSON COMES UP TO SPEAK, PLEASE, PLEASE ALLOW THEM TO SPEAK. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS TOM MACKEY AND I BELIEVE I WAS AFFORDED THE TOTTENHAM TO MAKE A PRESENTATION-- OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A PRESENTATION THAT'S IN

THE SLIDE THERE. >> OKAY, DO WE HAVE HIS PRESENTATION SLIDE THERE? LET'S WORK THAT OUT.

>> SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND START IN A MATTER OF ESSENCE OF TIME.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN. IT'S A GREAT HONOR TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

MY NAME IS TOM NUKI, A RECOVERING TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER FOR 39 YEARS I'M A VOLUNTEER MEMBER OF THE ST.~JOHNS COUNTY RIVER TO SEA LOOP ALLIANCE AND A BOARD MEMBER WITH THE ORGANIZATION. I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION IN SUPPORT OF THE BEACH BOULEVARD ALIGNMENT. CAN I BE AFFORDED A RESET OF THE

CLOCK PLEASE ON MY SLIDES. >> OKAY, IS HE SUPPOSED TO HAVE SIX MINUTES. SIX MINUTES, OKAY.

>> YEAH. >> THANK YOU AGAIN ABOUT.

THIS IS EXCITING TO BE HERE. THIS AN 18-YEAR PROCESS THAT THE COUNTY SUPPORTED THE LOOP ON AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND WE'RE ALMOST AT THE POINT OF COMPLETION, KUDOS TO THE COUNTY AND ALL OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE HISTORY OF THIS.

I'M A VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE AND WE'RE SUPPORTING THE CURRENT ALIGNMENT.

SO YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE ALIGNMENT, AND THE SEA LOOP IS 260 MILES AND IT INCLUDES THE FIVE COUNTIES, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANTLY HERE ST.~JOHNS COUNTY.

40 MILES IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE RIVER TO SEA LOOP AND AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE LOOP. WHAT DO WE DO AT THE ALLIANCE, ADVOCATE AND SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE COMPLETION OF THE TRAIL TO INCREASE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND EQUITY MOBILITY.

WE PROMOTE ACTIVE INCLUSION TRANSPORTATION TO BENEFIT THE SAFETY OF ALL USERS. WE PROMOTE THE ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT THE TRAIL GOES THROUGH. WE LIKE TO PROMOTE THE COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL HEALTH ASPECTS OF SAFE TRAIL RIDING.

ABOUT THE LOOP ITSELF AS WE'VE HEARD IT'S AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF 260 MILES AND YOU'VE SEEN THE MAP OF WHAT'S BEEN COMPLETED IN GREEN SO I WON'T DWELL ON THAT BUT I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE ACTIVE USE OF THE CORRIDOR. THIS TRAIL IS FOR WALKERS,

[04:45:01]

BIKERS, RUNNERS, STROLLERS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, IT'S DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ALL USERS THAT AREN'T IN A CAR BASICALLY.

IT GIVES PHENOMENAL ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S OFTEN SEEN IN DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES THROUGHOUT THE CORRIDOR AND OTHER TRAILS AROUND FLORIDA. SO OUR SUPPORT OF THE A1A BEACH BOULEVARD WE BELIEVE THIS IS CRITICAL REGIONAL LINK IN THE SUN TRAIL SYSTEM. A LOT OF EFFORT STATEWIDE HAS BEEN PUT INTO THIS TRAIL. IT'S ONE OF A FEW TIER 1 STATE TRAILS. THE PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR MOBILITY IS RELATED TO SAFETY AND A LOW-STRESS ENVIRONMENT FOR THE USERS. AGAIN, THESE ARE ALL TYPES OF USERS WHETHER THEY'RE WALKER, BICYCLISTS OR IMPAIRED USERS.

IT'S A PROVEN ECONOMIC DRIVER BECAUSE TRAILS INCREASE FOOT TRAFFIC TO A COMMUNITY. THEY ALSO BENEFIT LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS BECAUSE A CAR IS NOT NEEDED TO ACCESS THOSE. IT'S PROJECT-READY.

WE HEARD THE FUNDING IS IN PLACE AND IT'S BEEN IN PLACE FOR A WHILE AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT EFFORT PUT BEHIND THIS BY A LOT OF LEADERS. WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S COMMUNITY CONCERNS. WE ADAMANTLY BELIEVE THE END RESULT OF THIS TRAIL WILL BE A MASSIVE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND WE SEEK THAT THOSE COMMUNITY CONCERNS BE ADDRESSED BUT THE PRESERVATION OF THE CORRIDOR IS IMPORTANT.

WE BELIEVE CYCLISTS AND OCCASIONAL USERS WILL CONTINUE TO USE THAT FIVE-FOOT WIDE SIDEWALK WHAT WE KNOW IS NOT SAFE. THERE'S A PROVEN ECONOMIC IMPACT AS A RESULT OF TRAILS. PROPERTY VALUES INCREASE AND BUSINESS INCREASES BY THAT FEET TO STREET TYPE TRAVEL I WAS TALKING ABOUT. 15 TO 25% IN FLORIDA COMMUNITIES ALREADY. ALSO THIS PARTICULAR ALIGNMENT WE BELIEVE IS A HIGH-VALUE VISITOR SPENDING OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS THAT MAY BE AT THE HOTELS ALREADY AND THEY'RE DRIVING IN TO SEE OTHER AREA ATTRACTIONS, COULD STAY HERE AT THE BEACH IN THEY SEE HOTELS AND USE THEIR BICYCLES TO GET ACCESS TO THOSE SITES. SPECIFICALLY YOUR LOCATION HERE AT ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S FIVE MILES FROM HISTORIC ST.~AUGUSTINE.

THE EXACT EXISTENCE OF A TAKING A TRAIL FIVE MILES.

INSTEAD OF TAKING THEIR CAR THEY CAN SPEND THE DAY IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THEIR BIKE AND COME BACK TO HAVE DINNER AND ENJOY THE BEACH AND HOTELS. IT'S ACCESS TO ALL LOCATIONS UP AND DOWN THE FIVE-MILE LINK TO DOWNTOWN ST.~AUGUSTINE.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. FOR THE TRAIL RIDERS THAT WANT TO SPEND MORE THAN ONE DAY, THEY CAN SPEND THE NIGHT AND RIDE SOUTH DOWN TO FLAGLER COUNTY DOWN THE CORRIDOR.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A MULTI-DAY TRAIL STAYS WHICH DIRECTLY BENEFITS THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND THE RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS. I THINK WE'VE HEARD THIS BUT THIS IS REALLY AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR COMMUNITY IN MY OPINION. IT'S A SAFER PLACE FOR WALKING AND JOGGING IN A BIKING COMMUNITY.

THEY WOULD BE KNOWN FOR FUTURE GENERATION THIS IMPROVEMENT HELPED TO BENEFIT THEM. IT WOULD LEAD TO MORE BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND LOWER TRAFFIC INPUT BECAUSE NOW PEOPLE ARE MAKING TRIPS ON BICYCLES NOT CARS. WE'RE WALKING.

PART OF A REGIONAL TRAIL NETWORK STATEWIDE AND KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AS A PREMIER ZEST MAKING AND A PREMIER TRAIL LOOP.

IT'S ALSO GOING TO PROVIDE FANTASTIC DESTINATIONS WITHIN AN EASY RIDE, AS I MENTIONED, INTO ST.~AUGUSTINE AND ANASTASIA PARK, THE LIGHTHOUSE AND THE MUSEUM ON THE NORTH END AND THE SOUTH END DOWN TO THE PARKS AND DOWN INTO FLAGLER COUNTY.

SO WE JUST BELIEVE THIS TRAIL AS ITS PROPOSED WILL BE A DISTINCTIVE COMMUNITY TRAIL FOR YOUR COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WHETHER IT'S CHILDREN USING IT, CYCLISTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO CREATE A TRAIL THAT WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS AND BE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS NOW OR LATER.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> HI, I'M LINDA HOVER, OCEAN CIRCLE. I'M GOING TO MISS TODAY'S BOOK CLUB BECAUSE OF A BOOK I'VE BEEN READING THE FLORIDA SUN TRAIL HANDBOOK. I LEARNED ABOUT WHAT F-DOT HAD IN MIND WHEN THEY CREATED THE PROGRAM.

PAGE 5 OF THE BOOK STATES THAT THEIR PRIMARY STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO COORDINATE THE PLANNING OF A SAFE, VIABLE AND BALANCED STATE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM SERVING ALL REGIONS OF THE STATE AND TO ASSURE THE COMPATIBILITY OF ALL COMPONENTS INCLUDING MULTI-MODULE FACILITIES.

IT SITESES AT SUN TRAIL PROGRAM GEL TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION

[04:50:01]

SAFETY. PAGE 18 UNDER THE SELECTION CRITERIA, THE PROJECT ENHANCES THE SAFETY OF BICYCLES, PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS. PAGE 19, PROJECT IDENTIFICATION, THE PROJECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE VEHICULAR CONGESTION, THE PROJECT HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF PUBLIC SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. DEMONSTRATION OF SUPPORT IS CONSISTENT AMONG MULTIPLE ENTITIES REPRESENTING COMMUNITY RATHER THAN A SELECT FEW INTEREST GROUPS.

TO ME, THIS DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FIT THE BEACH BOULEVARD TRAIL THAT IS BEING PROPOSED. ALL OF THE REASONS THAT THE TRAIL HAS BEEN PROPOSED ARE TOTALLY WONDERFUL REASONS AND I AGREE WITH ALL OF THEM BUT BEACH BOULEVARD IS NOT THE LOCATION.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CITY TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS CITE THROUGH THEIR STUDIES THAT SHARED LOOP TRAILS 12-FEET WIDE ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO PEDESTRIANS AND BIKERS.

THAT'S WHAT THEIR STATISTICS SHOW.

THEY WILL CONDONE, HOWEVER, A SHARED LOOP TRAIL IN A LOW-TRAFFIC IMPACT AREA. AGAIN, BEACH BOULEVARD IS NOT A LOW-TRAFFIC AREA. IT'S NOT A 207 BIKE TRAFFIC AREA. IT'S NOT A RAILWAY THAT'S BEEN CONVERTED. IT'S NOT A GREENWAY THAT COULD BE BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL FOR PEOPLE TO RIDE.

IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT TYPE OF AREA THAN ANY SUN TRAIL CORRIDOR. MOST SUCCESSFUL CORRIDORS ARE FAR AWAY FROM COMMERCIAL AREAS. BEACH BOULEVARD IS HIGHLY ACTIVE TOURIST CORRIDOR. HOTEL ENTRANCES, BEACH ACCESS, RESTAURANTS, DELIVERY VEHICLES, CONDOMINIUMS, NEIGHBORHOODS, CONSTANT TRAFFIC. ESPECIALLY IN HIGH SEASON.

IT IN NO WAY ENHANCES AS THE SELECTION CRITERIA STATES THE SAFETY OF BICYCLISTS, PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS.

INTO EFFECT NO ONE HAS MENTIONED THIS, BUT IT PROHIBITS THE BLIND AND DEAF COMMUNITY FROM ACCESSING BEACH ROAD AT ANY POINT IN TIME. THERE IS NO WAY THEY WOULD BE

SAFE WITH TWO-WAY BIKE TRAFFIC. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS -- 808 OCEAN PALM WAY, ST.~AUGUSTINE.

AN AVID BIKE RIDER, WALKER AND I CONSTANTLY FREQUENTLY VISIT BEACH BOULEVARD. THIS PROJECT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED. IT COMES WITH LEGAL CONFLICT, SAFETY RISK AND A SECTION OF THE TRAIL IS UNWORKABLE.

A TWO-WAY TRAIL COMBINING FAMILY GOERS, BEACH GOERS, E-BIKES GOING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WITH RUNNERS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO CROWDED HIGH-VOLUME AREA IS DIFFERENT THAN CORRAL GABLES. IT'S AMONG THE MOST CONFLICT-PRONE CONFIGURATION. BIKE RIDERS GOING AGAINST THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT OF FLORIDA STATE STATUTE. CYCLISTS ARE REQUIRED TO RIDE WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE TRAIL HAS 55 INTERSECTING POINTS AT MINIMUM. IT'S NOT ONE-- R-- THERE IS NOT ONE RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, YOU HAVE HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS AND A1A BEACH ACCESS. IT'S A VERY DENSE, HIGH-POPULATED STREET. IT LEADS TO FAR NUMBER OF RAIL OR TRAIL CROSSINGS. THE TRAIL SETBACK WILL PUT BIKES-- BIKE RIDERS INTO DIRECT CONFLICT WITH DRIVERS WHO BLOCK THE TRAIL AS A QUERY TO MAKE A TURN WHILE LOOKING OUT FOR A BIKE COMING AGAINST THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC.

I WONDER HAS A FEASIBILITY STUDY BEEN DONE ON THIS TRAIL FOR ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL COSTS? NO DESIGN FIXINGS THE STATUTORY FLORIDA LAW. REPLACING THE TRAIL WITH WHAT IS THERE DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. YOU HAVE A 30-MILE AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT ZONE WHICH UNLESS YOU SHUT DOWN THE STREET YOU DON'T HAVE STREETS THAT ARE UNDER 30 MILES AN HOUR.

YOU HAVE A FIVE-MILE SIDEWALK-- EXCUSE ME, A 5-FOOT SIDEWALK.

YOU HAVE A 2-FOOT BUMP ANOTHER . WHAT THESE GENTLEMEN ARE PROPOSING IF YOU CLOSE THAT DOWN AND HAVE A CURB AND REMOVE THE BIKE TRAIL AND MOVE THE BIKE TRAIL TO THE OTHER SIDE ON THE ROAD THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE RIDING DOWN THE TRAIL ALONG THE CURB ARE GOING TO BE SAFER THAN WHAT IS CURRENTLY THERE.

[04:55:02]

I FUNDAMENTALLY DISAGREE. NO DESIGN IS PERFECT.

THIS ONE IS PRONE TO LEGAL AND INCIDENT CONVICT.

WHAT WE HAVE WORKS. THIS PLAN DOES NOT.

PUT THE TRAIL BACK ON A1A AND USE THE EXISTING TRAIL ON POPE.

IT'S EXISTING AND COSTS NOTHING. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CONNECT IT WITH A1A SOUTH. >> THANK YOU.

I'M GLORY WHIRLY. OUR BUSINESS IS AT 700 A1A BEACH BOULEVARD. WE HAVE A RESTAURANT FOR 22 YEARS. WE ARE AT THE INTERSECTION OF A1 A AND A1A BEACH BOULEVARD RIGHT AT AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT.

WHAT IS HERE I HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT OR ANY BUSINESS ON THAT STRIP. THIS MAN WHO SPOKE ABOUT IT SAYS IT WILL HELP US, HE'S WRONG. I'VE TALKED TO THOSE WHO HOLD HOTELS. MR. O'BRIEN OWNS THE FIESTA HOTEL. I TALKED TO ALL THE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG THAT STRIP.

KNOWN WAS NOTIFIED. THIS WILL IMPACT US NEGATIVELY, CLOSING US DOWN DURING THE SEASON IF YOU'RE GONNA START IT IN JULY, IT'S GONNA TEAR UP THE SIDEWALK.

WE'VE BEEN THERE 22 YEARS AND I TELL YOU WE SEE EVERYTHING ON THAT STRIP. WE SEE THE AMBULANCES GOING UP AND DOWN. SAVING PEOPLE ON THE BEACH.

ON A STREET. THE PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THAT ROAD THAT'S A PEDESTRIAN ROAD, IT'S NOT BICYCLES.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF BICYCLES. PEOPLE DON'T COME TO HOTELS WITH BICYCLES IN THEIR SUITCASES. WHAT I SEE RIGHT NOW WAS THIS WAS A BAIT AND SWITCH. YOU ALL THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE, AND NOW IT'S PUT OVER TO A1A BEACH BOULEVARD.

THE ORIGINAL DESIGN, THE GENTLEMAN THAT SPOKE FOR US AGAINST THIS, IS PERFECT, MICKLER AND POPE, CHANGE THAT ROUTE, IF YOU SEE THIS TRAIL, THEY CALL IT A TRAIL, IT'S NOT A TRAIL, IT AS LANE. IT'S A 12-FOOT LANE DOWN A1A BEACH BOULEVARD WHICH IS TO ME INSANE.

YOU'VE GOT KIDS WALKING. YOU'RE UP AGAINST THE CARS! THIS IS NOT SAFE. WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THOSE PICTURES THEY HAD UP THERE OF CAPE CORRAL, THERE WAS A NICE GREEN BUFFER BETWEEN THE TRAILS AND THE VEHICLES.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT. SO THAT IS SO DANGEROUS.

EVERYONE I'VE TALKED TO, THE PATELS AND IF ANYONE GETS SUED IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ME AND IT'S NOT GONNA BE YOU.

THIS WILL AFFECT US. IF SOMEBODY GETS HURT AND LITTLE KIDS WALKING YOU TELL THEM TO STAY OUT OF THE STREET, THEY'RE WALKING IN THE STREET. IT'S A LANE.

NOT A TRAIL. TAKE THAT TRAIL SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I'M ALL FOR HAVING-- MY HULLS WAS A BIKER.

-- MY HUSBAND WAS A BIKER. AND HE USED TO RIDE SIX MILES DOWN WITH A GROUP TO OARMAN. I'M-- OR MONO.

I'M NOT AGAINST, PUT IT WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

NOT ON OUR BOULEVARD. WE'LL BE BACK TO COVID.

YOU'LL SHUT US DOWN. IT'S RIDICULOUS.

I HOPE THAT VOTE FOR MOVING IT. I APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

TRAILER BRAINY. MOVED HERE DIRECTLY AFTER COLLEGE AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH THAT AREA, AND GOT MY FIRST JOB IN JACKSON VILLAGE DECIDED TO MOVE HERE AND BUILD MY LIFE HERE. SINCE MOVING HERE THE RIVER TO SEA LOOP IS ONE OF THE PROJECTS I'M EXCITED ABOUT.

THERE'S MANY OF MY AGE IN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND BEACH, ALL VIEW IT IS A NO-BRAINER BUT MOST ARE WORKING.

I THOUGHT I WOULD ONLY HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE MORNING AND I'M STILL HERE IN THE AFTERNOON. PROJECTS LIKE THIS INFLUENCE WHETHER YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF DECIDE TO STAY OR GO AND LIVE THEIR LIFE SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE PROMISING WAS EXTENSIVELY-- THE PROJECT WAS EXTENSIVELY STUDIED AND STUDIED APPROVED BY F-DOT AND NOW THE LANE BRINGS A LOT OF RISK ADDITIONAL COSTS AND YEARS OF MORE STUDY AND DEBATE.

I URGE YOU TO APPROVE THE PROJECT WITH THE EXISTING DESIGN. NEIGHBORING COUNTIES ARE ALREAD FAR AHEAD OF US. BLUE JAYIA AND FLAGLER AND OTHERS. WITH THEIR PORTION OF THE TRAIL TRYING TO CONNECT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

PLEASE CREATE A BETTER FLORIDA FOR ALL THE GENERATIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS WAYNE HOFFMANN, 25 OCEAN GROVE CIRCLE. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO HE EACH OU ABOUT OUR CONCERN. MY WIFE AND I ARE OPPOSED TO THE PRESENT BE LOCATION FOR THE NEW RAIL TRAIL.

FOR THE NEW BIKE TRAIL. SIMPLY I CAN'T VISUALIZE HOW A

[05:00:06]

10-FOOT-WIDE STRIP OF ASPHALT DO YOU -- DOWN THROUGH THE BEACH. TWO REASONS WE'RE OPPOSED TO IS ONE IS THE ESTHETIC VALUE THAT WE THINK WILL BE ALTERED ALONG IS SAFETY AND YOU HEARD ABOUT BOTH OF THEM TODAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A STRIP OF ASPHALT PUT DOWN THROUGH THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA THAT WE HAVE NOW, THE BEACH BOULEVARD IS GOING TO ADD ANYTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I'M ASKING YOU TO REDIRECT THE FUNDING.

ONE OF THE BIG CONCERNS THAT I HAVE THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT RIGHT NOW ON BEACH BOULEVARD WE HAVE BIKE LANES ON BOTH SIDES, WALKS ON BOTH SIDES THAT ENABLE EVERYBODY TO -- TO MOVE AS THEY WISH. AND WITH THE-- THE WAY THE NEW DESIGN IS MOVING IT ALL TO ONE SIDE IT'S GOING TO CREATE PROBLEMS, I KNOW IT IS FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BEACH BOULEVARD AS OPPOSED TO MAYBE USING PERHAPS DOUBLE WHITE LANES TO SEPARATE THE BIKE LANE FROM THE REGULAR ROAD.

IT WOULD COST CONSIDERABLY LESS. I DON'T AGREE THAT 5.5 MILLION IS THERE AND WE NEED TO SPEND IT.

SPEND IT WISELY. IT WAS SAID THIS IS FOR THE FUTURE FOR A LONG TIME AND THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT THE BEACH AS IS AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE THAT FAVOURABLY.

SO I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS, MOSTLY AT THE PARK WHERE YOU HAVE VISITORS EGRESSING AND GOING IN AND OUT FOR THE PIER.

PEOPLE THAT AREN'T USED TO THE BIKE TRAIL WILL HAVE TO NAVIGATE ACROSS THAT PARKING LOT, ON TO THE TRAIL AND ACROSS TO BEACH BOULEVARD IS A MYSTERY TO ME. THAT'S THE AREA WHERE I'M MOST CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND AS WELL AS THE THOUSANDS WHO LIVE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THIS WHO WILL HAVE TO CROSS THIS PATH EVERY DAY. THE BENEFITS YES, TO SOME, I AGREE. THE RAIL TRAIL IDEA IS GREAT BUT THIS IS THE WRONG LOCATION FOR IT.

AND THE CONNECTIVITY YOU'RE DOING THROUGH THESE FIVE COUNTIES MAKES SENSE BUT GOING DOWN BEACH BOULEVARD IS SOMETHING WE'LL REGRET FOR A LONG TIME.

GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER CAROL. I'M AT 28 BERMUDA RUNWAY, SO I'M ON THE EAST SIDE OF BEACH BOULEVARD.

I'VE SPOKE WITH YOU A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ON THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT LEAVE OUR LITTLE COMPLEX.

IT'S NOT A COMPLEX, IT'S A STREET OF HOMES.

AND 12 CONDOS. WE BASICALLY CROSS THE ROAD ABOUT 160 TIMES A DAY. YOU KNOW, ALL THE VEHICLES IN OUR ONE COMMUNITY. BUT I TOO NOW AM ONE WHO IS STARING AT BIKE TRAILS EVERYWHERE I GO AND MEASURING THEM. OUR BIKE TRAIL IS A SHOULDER ON OUR STREET. ON A1A BOULEVARD, BEACH BOULEVARD BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A FOOT WIRED THAN THE BIKE TRAILS THAT ARE MARKED. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE DO HERE IS MARK OUR BIKE LANES BECAUSE THEY ARE -- I USE IT AS A BIKE LANE EVERY SINGLE DAY. THE CONGESTION COMMENT THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT KIND OF GOES AGAINST ONE OF THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES WITHIN THE 2020 REPORT.

AND GUIDING PRINCIPLE C1 ITS OBJECTIVE IS TO MAXIMIZE SEPARATION BETWEEN BICYCLISTS% AND PEDESTRIANS-- OR BICYCLISTS/PEDESTRIANS AND MOTOR VEHICLES.

I ASSUME THAT ALSO MEANS MINIMIZING CONFLICT BETWEEN PEDESTRIANS/BICYCLES AND MOTOR VEHICLES.

BUT NOW WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT A TWO-WAY BIKE PATH OR MULTIUSE PATH IN FRONT OF OUR DRIVEWAY THAT IS GONNA BE PEDESTRIANS, RUNNERS, BICYCLES AND E-BIKES.

I SEPARATE E-BIKES AND BICYCLES BECAUSE THEY MOVE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. SO I ALSO RIDE ON BEACH BOULEVARD AND I MAINTAIN ABOUT A 10-MILE AN HOUR, MAYBE 15-MILE AN HOUR HAPPY PACE ON OUR BIKE LANE.

FASTER THAN THAT I WOULD HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, BE IN THE ROAD.

BUT I NEVER RIDE ON A SIDEWALK. ONE IT'S AGAINST THE LAW.

AND ESPECIALLY AT OVER 10 MILES AN HOUR.

SO TO WRAP UP, I THINK WE ALREADY HAVE BIKE LANES, WE ALREADY HAVE SIDEWALKS. THE SUN TRAIL ALL FOR IT.

PEOPLE CAN COME DOWN OUR ROAD ALREADY.

[05:05:01]

WHY NOT JUST MARK OUR BIKE LANES AND UTILIZE MICKLER AND POPE ROAD BECAUSE THEY'RE ALREADY IN PLACE WHY PUT EVERYTHING ON OUR SIDE OF THE STREET? THANK YOU.

>> YES, THANK YOU. MY NAME IS GARY TEST.

449 OCEAN GROVE CIRCLE IN C COLONY.

I WAS CONCERNED WHEN I READ A WIDELY CIRCULATED PETITION THAT RAISED THESE ALARMING CLAIMS... THE PATHWAY ADVERSELY AFFECTS STORM WATER MANAGEMENT AND COSTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE CONSTRUCTION WOULD CAUSE TOXIC ASPHALT RUNOFF.

THESE CLAIMS ARE BLATANLY FALSE, THE PALMS WILL NOT BE DISTURBED AND THE PATH WILL HAVE ZERO IMPACT ON STORM WATER MANAGEMENT. THESE ARE NONISSUES BUT WHAT IS TROUBLING THAT 540 PEOPLE SIGNED THAT PETITION UNKNOWINGLY RELYING ON FALSE AND MISREADINGS INFORMATION AND SADLY THESE ARE TWO OF THE FALSE CLAIMS. I ASKED THE PETITIONS TO DISREGARD THE PETITION RESULTS AS ITS CREDIBILITY HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY COME COMPROMISED. AND ON THE ISSUE OF SAFETY THEY DON'T PIKE WITH ON THE -- BIKE ON THE ROAD SHOULDER AND INSTEAD OF ON THE SIDEWALK WITH PEDESTRIANS.

A WIDER SHARED PATH IS CLEARLY . PROPER SIGNAGE, PEDESTRIANS ON THE EAST SIDE AND BICYCLES ON THE WEST SIDE.

BICYCLES MUST YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS AND STOP SIGNS AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS GIVING MOTORISTS THE CLEAR RIGHT-OF-WAY WILL FURTHER ENHANCE SAFETY FOR ALL USERS.

SHOULD CYCLING SPEEDS BECOME A CONCERN A SPEED LIMIT CAN BE ESTABLISHED ON THE PATH. REGARDING THE 56 STREET CROSSINGS THEY EXIST WHETHER OR NOT THIS PATH IS BUILT.

THE PATH ACTUALLY IMPROVES SAFETY AT THESE CROSSINGS BY REMOVING BICYCLES FROM THE DANGEROUS ROAD SHOULDER AND CONSOLIDATING SIX SEPARATE MOVEMENT STREAMS, THAT IS PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS TRAVELLING IN TWO DIRECTIONS ON THREE SEPARATE PATHS INTO ONE SHARED PATH MAKING IT SAFER AND SIMPLER FOR MOTORISTS TO NAVIGATE.

AS FOR E-BIKES, E-BIKES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM.

IRRESPONSIBLE RIDERS. THIS ISSUE EXISTS WITH OR WITHOUT THE TRAIL. IT MUST BE ADDRESSED NOW.

AS FOR ESTHETICS SOME ARE AGAINST THE ASPHALT TOP SURFACE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE FINISHED IN BLACK.

I TRAVELED HUNDREDS OF MILES ON AMAZING EARTH TONE ASPHALT SHARED-USE PATHS IN HOLLANDS THAT BLENDED BEAUTIFULLY WITH THE SURROUNDINGS. FOR THOSE WITH OPEN MINDS IT MAY BE TIME TO EXPLORE OPTION THAT IS ENHANCE THE CHARACTER OF THE BOULEVARD. IN CLOSING THE PROPOSED TRAIL ALIGNMENT ALONG BEACH BOULEVARD IS CLEARLY THE SAFEST ROUTE FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES TO CONNECT WITH CYCLISTS ON THE TRAIL AND SUPPORTED BY OVER 600 AND GROWING PETITIONERS FOR THE TRAIL ALIGNMENT. I RESPECTIVELY ASK YOU TO APPROVE THE ALIGNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GREATER ST. JOHNS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> JAY JONES, ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH.

A COUPLE OF FACTS, THIS WAS GOOD FOR BUSINESS THERE WOULD BE BUSINESS PEOPLE SUPPORTING IT. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF WHICH BUSINESSES FROM GUY HARVEY TO THE BEACH SIDE PETITIONING AND ASKING FOR THE TRAIL TO BE MOVED. SECOND OF ALL NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THE OUR COMMUNITY AT THE BEACH IS A LOT LIKE DOWNTOWN, THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF PLACES FOR SEMI TRUCKS AND DELIVERY TRUCKS TO SERVICE BUSINESSES. WE HAVE DAILY SEMIS PARKED IN THE CENTER OF THE ROADWAY OR THE TURN LANE OR ON THE SHOULDER TO DELIVER TO BUSINESSES. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT? TODAY I'M GOING TO URGE YOU TO REJECT ANY DESIGN THAT FORCES PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES TO SHARE THE SAME TWO-WAY MULTIUSE PATH ALONG ANY CORRIDOR ESPECIALLY WITH THIS ONE WITH 56 POINTS OF INGRESS AND EGRESS IN TWO-AND-A-HALF MILE STRETCH. I CHALLENGE ANYBODY TO SHOW ME ANOTHER SECTION OF THE TRAIL ANYWHERE THAT IS AS DENSELY POPULATED WITH POINTS OF CONGRESS TENSION-- CONTENTION LIKE THIS ONE. BECAUSE OF THE PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES GIST AND TURNING MOVEMENT THERE IS A STATISTIC CREATED BY DESIGN. LIABILITY WILL FALL BACK ON YOU FOLKS BECAUSE THIS IS CLEAR... IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THE EXPERT-- BELIEVE THE EXPERT, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT FOR JUST A SECOND. THEY TALK ABOUT SAFETY.

THERE IS NOT A SINGLE AGENCY WITH THE ACRONYM, INCLUDING THE FDOT THAT DOESN'T RECOMMEND THAT BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIANS BE

[05:10:02]

SEPARATED. THE PHOTO HERE OCCURRED IN FRONT OF MAYDAY ICE CREAM LAST SUMMER ON ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH.

PEDESTRIAN VERSUS BICYCLIST. THIS POOR LADY FROM IOWA HAD TO STAY HERE FOR AN EXTRA MONTH BECAUSE SHE HAD THE CHOICE TO STAY OR PAY TO HAVE A AIR AMBULANCE BACK TO IOWA.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ACCIDENTS LIKE THAT UNREPORTED.

THE SURVEY WE CONDUCTED IN THE COMMUNITY WITH OVER 500 RESPONSES JUST UNDER 10% OF THE POPULATION HAD 73.3% OF RESPONDENTS THINKING THAT THE SUN TRAIL SHOULD NOT BE LOCATED ON THE BOULEVARD. THE WHITE SHIRTS IN THE GALLERY TODAY ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE LOBBYISTS OR PEOPLE PART OF AN EFFORT TO ESTABLISH A STATE-WIDE TRAIL.

THEY'RE PROPERTY AND BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE CITY OF ST.~AUGUSTINE BLEACH. I RESPECT THE EFFORTS OF THOSE TRYING TO PUT THE TRAIL TOGETHER THIS COMMISSION IS THE FOLKS WHO LIVED HERE FIRST. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ASK THAT THANK YOU REJECT THIS-- THAT YOU REJECT THIS PROPOSAL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> DRAKE BARRY, 460 OCEAN GROVE CIRCLE AND I'M READING ON BEHALF BEHALF RICH O'BRIEN, THE FORMER MAYOR WHO GOT CALLED TO A BUSINESS EMERGENCY. FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS RICHARD O'BRIEN, WHEN I SAY THIS IN THE FIRST PERSON IT'S FOR HIM AND NOT ME. I WANT TO BE ENTIRELY CLEAR.

I'M IN FAVOR OF THE SUN TRAIL; HOWEVER, I'M HERE TODAY TO STRONGLY ADVOCATE FOR AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE THAT MOVES THE PROJECT OFF THE A1A BEACH BOULEVARD.

MY PERSPECTIVE IS BUILT ON 25 YEARS OF LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP AND RESIDENCY. I MOVED TO ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH IN 2001. WHEN I PURCHASED THE OCEAN INN AND FIESTA FALLS MINIATURE GOLF COURSE ON THE BOULEVARD.

SHORTLY AFTER I MET MY WIFE LAUREN, WE LIVE DIRECTLY ON A1A BEACH BOULEVARD FOR 20 YEARS. IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WE LIVED ON F STREET EAST OF THE BOULEVARD BECAUSE WE WALK AND DRIVE TO OUR NEARBY BUSINESSES EVERY SINGLE DAY, WE HAVE A DEEP COMMITTED FIRSTHAND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THIS CORRIDOR OPERATES. A1A BEACH BOULEVARD IS A VIBRANT COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR PACKED WITH CONDOS, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS. IT'S ALSO DENSE WITH CONFLICT POINTS. WITH 56 INTERSECTING STREETS AND COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAYS IT'S SIMPLY NOT SAFE OR IDEAL ENVIRONMENT FOR A 12-FOOT ASPHALT TRAIL. I'M FAR FROM ALONE IN THIS ASSESSMENT FELLOW A1A BEACH BOULEVARD HOTELIER STEVE PATEL AGREES THE BOULEVARD IS NOT A SAFE LOCATION.

DOMENIC MILLET, THE MEASURING OF THE SUNSET GRILL HAS A DAILY PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE BOULEVARD'S TRAFFIC PAT ISSUES AND STRONGLY ECHOES THE SAFETY CONCERNS AS WELL.

TO DATE NO CONFLICT STUDY OR RISK ANALYSIS HAS BEEN SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC. A COMPREHENSIVE CONFLICT STUDY MUST BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS PROCESS BEFORE ANY ROUTE IS FINALIZED. SAFETY MUST BE OR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. BEYOND SAFETY WE MUST CONSIDER THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND THE PRESERVATION OF OUR CITY'S CHARACTER. BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, PLACING THE TRAIL ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BOULEVARD RISKS CATASTROPHIC BUSINESS INTERRUPTION. GIVEN THE PROATTRACTIVE DELAYS THAT ARE TYPICAL OF MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THE CONSTRUCTION COULD PUT BUSINESSES WITH RAZOR-THIN MILES AN HOURGINS VER THE EDGE AS PEOPLE AVOID THE AREA.

LOSS OF TOURISM AND CHARACTER. THIS CATEGORY IS SPECIAL.

OUR LOCAL CHARM IS WHAT DRIVES OUR ECONOMY.

A LONG-TERM FAMILY VISITOR WHO RENTS A SHORT-TERM PROPERTY EAST OF THE BOULEVARD EVERY YEAR FOR A MONTH TOLD ME DIRECTLY.

IF THIS TRAIL IS PLACED ON EAST SIDE IT WILL DESTROY THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF OUR CITY AND THIS WILL NOT RETURN.

THIS IS A DIRECT LOSS TO OUR TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND PROPERTY AND OWNER VENUES AND ELSEWHERE.

CHARACTER COUNTS AND SAFETY COMES FIRST.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CITY MANAGER, ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH, 21A SOUTH.

I DON'T SPEAK FOR OUR COMMISSION BUT WE HAD A MAY 4 MEETING WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE ROOM, MOST OF THEM SPEAKING AGAINST THE TRAIL WHICH IS CURRENTLY LOCATED.

HOWEVER I GOT NO DIRECTION FROM MY COMMISSION TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE JUNE COMMISSION MEETING TO THE COMMISSION TO VOTE OF 2019 IS DECLARED IN RESOLUTION 1911 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE TRAIL ON A1A BEACH BOULEVARD STILL STANDS.

I'LL TAKE OFF MY CITY MANAGER HAT AND COME TO MY

[05:15:05]

ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH NATURAL RESIDENT.

I'M A WALKER. I WALK EVERY DAY THAT MY SCHEDULE AND WEATHER PERMITS. I'VE BEEN ON THE BOULEVARD.

I'VE BEEN ON POPE ROAD AND ALL OVER THAT CITY WALKING MAINLY, THOUGH, ON THE BOULEVARD BECAUSE IT'S EASY TO GO NORTH OR SOUTH FROM WHERE I LIVE. I INTERACT WITH PEDESTRIANS, FELLOW PEDESTRIANS, AND WITH BICYCLISTS, WITH PARENTS AND KIDS. I CAN TELL YOU IT IS VERY CROWDED AT TIMES. BUT PEOPLE ARE RESPECTFUL.

THEY TRY AND GET OUT OF EACH OTHER'S WAY SO THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS. THE TRAIL WHERE IT IS NOW LOCATED OR PROPROCESSED TO BE LOCATED IS A BENEFIT.

NO DESIGN IS PERFECT. YOU'RE GOING TO DISPLEASE SOMEBODY BUT I THINK WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS WHO IS USING THAT TRAIL, WHO WILL USE IT OR WHO IS CURRENTLY USING THE TRAIL IN ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH AS IT EXIST IN THE SIDEWALKS? I CAN TELL YOU ON POPE ROAD WHERE HE WALK FREQUENTLY IT'S 8 FEET WIDE AND BICYCLISTS AND I HAVE NO PROBLEMS INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER. IF WE WERE 10 FEET WIDE IT WOULD BE BETTER. PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN THIS AFTERNOON ABOUT ABOUT A1A BEACH BOULEVARD HAVING BIKES ON IT RIGHT NOW BUT THEY ARE NOT BIKE LANES AND NEVER DESIGNED AS BIBLES. MR. SHANKER, A PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THE BOULEVARD WAS BEING WIDENED-- OR REPAVED, RATHER, HE HAD A GREAT SUGGESTION OF THE TRAVEL LANES WOULD EACH HAVE PAVED SHOULDERS AND BICYCLISTS WOULD HAVE ROOM TO CYCLE BUT THEY ARE NOT REGULATION FIVE-FOOT AND WIDE BIKE LANES. SO EFFECT IN THIS-- SO IN EFFECT THIS TRAIL WOULD ANSWER A MAJOR NEED, TO HAVE A SAFE BAKE BI.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> HI, HEIDI LUCAS. 241 NORTH AUGUSTYN DRIVE.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THIS TRAIL, IN ANY WAY.

I TRAVELED WITH MY FAMILY IN DIFFERENT RAILS TO TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. IT'S A GREAT VACATION WITH MY KIDS AND IT WAS SAFE BECAUSE THEY WERE OLD RAILWAY LINES, THEY WEREN'T ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSINESS STRICT DISTRICT. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NOT APPRECIATED. AS RESIDENTS, PROPERTY OWNERS, VISITORS WE WERE NEVER MADE AWARE CLEARLY WHAT THIS WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE. NOW THE CONFLICT WITH VEHICLES ON THE EAST SIDE IF YOU'RE ON THE BEACH AND TRY AND LEAVE YOU STOP ONCE FOR THE SIDEWALK AND LOOK AND FREQUENTLY THERE ARE BIKES ON THE SIDEWALK GOING THE WRONG DIRECTION AND YOU HAVE TO LOOK RIGHT, LEFT AND MOVE ON TO THE SIDEWALK AND STOP AGAIN TO SEE IF YOU CAN PULL OUT TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC TO GET ON TO THE BEACH. THIS IS WIDER EXPANSE TO NAVIGATE. THE CONFLICTS WILL BE AMAZING.

BUT THIS GRAPHIC MAY BE EXAGGERATED AS SOME ON SOCIAL MEDIA TALKED ABOUT BUT IT'S FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES TO SEE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FACING. THE FACT IS WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT SCENARIOS WITH PEDESTRIANS, BIKES, CARS AND PETS WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, YOU'VE GOT A DOG ON A LONG LINE THAT'S RUNNING AND THIS BIKE IS ALL OF A SUDDEN SCREECHING AND STOPPING.

IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST THAT-- YOU KNOW, BIKERS THAT BIKE A LOT DON'T USUALLY USE MULTIUSE PATHS BECAUSE OF THAT EXACTLY THAT PURPOSE. YOU'VE GOT SO MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO USE THE EXACT SAME SPACE. AS FAR AS THE PETITION GOES I WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT BECAUSE I HEARD THAT WE HAD A PETITION THAT HAD SOMETHING ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW, STORM WATER BUT I HAVE 30 PAGES OF PETITIONS SIGNED.

OVER 500 SIGNED SIGNATURES ON THESE-- NOT THE ELECTRONIC ONE.

AND THERE WAS NOTHING SAID WITH ASPHALT STORM WATER POISONING BY THESE PEOPLE, BUT EVERYONE WHO SIGNED THE PETITION CITED IT BECAUSE OF SAFETY. I WAS HERE AT 9 THIS MORNING AND HEARD A LOT ABOUT SAFETY AND THE FIRST TWO ISSUES THAT CAME ON THE AGENDA AND THIS COMES DOWN TO SAFETY TOO.

IT'S THAT THE TRAIL IS GOING TO BE ALONG A1A THROUGH FLAGLER COUNTY. THERE'S NO REASON NOT TO KEEP IT ON A1A THROUGH ST.~JOHNS COUNTY AS WELL AND PROTECT-- I FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PROTECTING THE BIKERS BECAUSE 56 POINTS OF INGRESS AND EGRESS ARE NOT GOING AWAY ON THE EAST SIDE OF BEACH A1A. THEY'RE GONNA CONTINUE.

WE DON'T HAVE, I THINK IT WAS SAID THAT WE NEEDED TO -- THE

[05:20:01]

TRAILS TEND TO ADD-- GET REBORN OR REFRESHED.

SMALL TOWNS REBORN AND REFRESHED.

I DON'T THINK ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH NEEDS TO BE REFRESHED.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M ABBEY BOSHAYE AND LIVE IN ST.~AUGUSTINE.

I'M A HOMEOWNER AT THE BEACH. I AM A BIKER.

I AM A WALKER. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IN WHITE SHIRT IS OPPOSED TO WALKING, BIKING AND LOVING THE BEACH.

BIKERS, WE SUPPORT WALKERS. WE SUPPORT VACATIONERS.

WE LIVE IN A TOWN THAT IS A TOURIST TOWN.

I JUST WANT TO SAY I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYONE TALK ABOUT...

OUR TOUR YES, I DO. ME -- OUR TOURISTS, MY FRIENDS WHO LOVE TO HAVE A DRINK WALK DOWN THOSE TRAILS AND SOME DRINK MORE THAN OTHERS. THE BIKE LEASH IS A GREAT THING TO CONSIDER. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A MAJOR, MAJOR CONFLICT BY CREATING THIS. ST.~AUGUSTINE IS GROWING, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, IT CAN BE EVEN BETTER.

WHY ADD MORE ASPHALT TO A 100° TEMPERATURE AREA? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME. KEEP THE BIKES ON A1A.

THEY CAN STILL COME DOWN. WE'RE NOT KICKING THEM OUT OF THE BEACH AREA. WE JUST DON'T NEED TO INVITE ALL THE OTHER. YOU'RE GONNA-- IT'S A CLUSTER AND I REALLY THINK IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

I'M AGAINST IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS-- [INDISCERNIBLE]-- 80 COSTADA DRIVE OVER THERE AND I SUPPORT THE CURRENT ALIGNMENT AS IS BUT BEING A LONG-TIME CYCLIST AND TRAIL ALIGNMENT.

I SEE THE CONFLICTS ON TRAIL ALIGNMENTS FOR A BEACH COMMUNITY IS NOT A NEW SITUATION. IN MANY COMMUNITIES IN OUR COUNTRY THE SAME SCENARIO IS PLAYED OUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO ARE NOT WALKERS OR CYCLISTS RETORT THEY DON'T WANT MORE CONGESTION FROM A TRAIL IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD.

THEY SELDOM REALIZE THE BENEFITS THAT AN EASY ACCESS URBAN TRAIL BRINGS THIS TO THEM. MANY OF US OBSERVED SCHOOL CHILDREN NEGOTIATING A NARROW SIDEWALK TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. IF YOU CAN, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS NOT PART OF THE ALIGNMENT JUST IMAGINE OF THE IMPROVEMENT AND SAFETY IF THIS WERE A 12-FOOT WIDE TRAIL.

THE ALIGNMENT THROUGH ST.~AUGUSTINE BEACH ON THE EAST SIDE OF A1A BEACH WILL ALLOW EASY SAFE ACCESS TO THE FARMERS MARKET AND THE DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS IN THE AREA WITHOUT HAVING TO FIND A PARKING SPACE FOR YOUR CAR.

IMAGINE HAVING A LEISURELY WALK HITTING THE CONE HEADS FOR ICE CREAM WITH YOUR CHILDREN ENJOYING THEIR BIKE WITHOUT THE CONCERN OF THEM RIDING NEAR TRAFFIC ON THE STREET OR DODGING OTHER WALKERS ON A NARROW SIDEWALK.

MY YEARS OF CYCLISTS I REALIZED THE BENEFITS THAT A WELL-DESIGNED TRAIL BROUGHT TO A COMMUNITY.

THEY ALLOW SAFE SPACES TO EXERCISE IN OUR CASE EASY CONNECTIVITY TO AMENITIES. IT'S SURPRISING HOW TRAILS BECOME ADOPTED BY THE COMMUNITIES AND APPEAL TO LONG DISTANCE CYCLISTS AND BECOME A PLEASANT RESPITE FROM A DAILY GRIND FOR THE AVERAGE CITIZEN WHO IS LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE IN CROWS PROXIMITY TO IT. WHILE RIDING ON THE SIMPLE CONE TRAIL WEST IN ATLANTIC GEORGIA, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE NEW TRAIL CONNECTIONS COMING OUT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT SEEMS IT IS DESIRED TO HAVE AN EASY ACCESS TO THE TRAIL FOR AN AFTERNOON WORKOUT OR A LEISURELY WALK AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. IT IS TOUTED BY DEVELOPERS AND IS AN ASSET INCREASING THE DESIRABILITY OF THAT LOCATION.

A CURRENT QUOTE FROM DREAM FINDERS HOMES IN POWDER SPRINGS, GEORGIA AND I QUOTE, POWDER SPRINGS JUST 20 MILES WEST OF ATLANTA BLENDS SUBURBAN PEACE WITH EASY URBAN ACCESS AND THE DOWNTOWN HAS A MIXED USE SPACES AND LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LIFE. RESIDENTS ENJOY TOP NOTCH PARKS LIKE THE SILVER TRAIL AND LOST MOUNTAIN PARK, ET CETERA.

NOTABLY THE FIRST NEARBY AMENITY THEY MENTION WAS THE SILVER COMET TRAIL. IF YOU'VE BEEN RIDING ON THAT TRAIL IN THE URBAN SECTION CLOSER TO ATLANTA IN THE AFTERNOON YOU WILL SHARE THE TRAIL WITH DROVES OF WOMEN, WALKERS AND EVEN JOGGING WITH STROLLERS.

ANYWAY. IT SEEMED EVERYONE VALUES THEIR

TRAILS -- >> THANK YOU.

[05:25:01]

, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

SUSAN COX, I LIVE AT 768 TIDES END DRIVE.

I'M A WALKER, DOG WALKER AND CYCLIST.

I WALK ON POPE ROAD, SANTANDER AND BEACH BOULEVARD.

I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS TRAIL. I THINK HAVING A WIDER TRAIL ALONG THE BEACH WILL ACTUALLY EASE CONGESTION.

IF YOU'VE EVER WALKED, SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET BEHIND CARTS AND PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN OR WALKERS OR STROLLERS GO SLOWER AND YOU CAN'T WALK PAST THEM.

LIKE THE GENTLE MINISTERMAN WHO SPOKE-- LIKE THE GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE EARLIER LIKE POPE ROAD, YOU CAN WALK WITH YOUR DOG AND THE BIKES CAN GO BY AND IT'S NOT AS TIGHT AS THE SIDEWALK ON BEACH BOULEVARD. I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS FOR MANY REASONS. I THINK ALSO, I'M A RETIRED PHYSIOTHERAPIST AND I THINK IT WILL ENHANCE MOBILITY FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT DO USE A WALKER OR A WHEELCHAIR OR ARE SLOWER OR HAVE CHILDREN ON BIKES OR SCOOTERS OR WHATEVER.

I THINK A WIDER PATH ALL ALONG THAT AREA WILL BE MUCH BETTER ACCESS FOR EVERYBODY THAN JUST FUNNELING EVERYBODY TO POPE.

THEN DOWN AT THE END OF POPE THERE'S THAT TINY LITTLE PARK AND NOT VERY MUCH EASY ACCESS TO THE BEACH.

SO I THINK A LONG CORRIDOR WHERE THERE'S EASIER ACCESS TO OTHER PARKS AND THE BEACH WILL ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK PEOPLE ADAPT AND LEARN AND MANAGE WITH THE TRAFFIC.

I MEAN IF YOU GO TO OTHER PLACES YOU SEE THAT WE CAN ALL GET ALONG. BUT THANK YOU.

>> TOM GEORGE, 558-- ROAD. I WASN'T PREPARED FOR THIS.

BUT AFTER LISTENING AND EVERYTHING, I BIKE EVERY DAY.

AND WE OFTEN OUR FRIENDS AND I HAVE TO GO THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THERE'S NO SIDEWALKS TO GET ANYWHERES OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD. YOU'VE GOT TO GO DOWN U.S. 1 AND TO GO DOWN THAT ONE IS SO HORRIFIC.

I DON'T DO. I RIDE IN THE GRASS.

WHERE THERE IS A SIDEWALK I DO USE THE SIDEWALK AND I DO 6.8 MILES AN HOUR. EVERYBODY IS COURTEOUS.

PEOPLE ARE WALKING. LIKE EVERYBODY IS SAYING, THEY'RE WALKING THEIR DOGS OR JUST STANDING THERE WAITING FOR THE BUS TO COME. EVERYBODY IS COURTEOUS AND EVERYTHING. I'M ALL FOR IT.

GETTING A HUMAN BEING 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE TRAFFIC? INSTEAD OF THIS MUCH? AND THEY'RE DOING 65 MILES AN HOUR, I'M ALL FOR IT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT'S A FACT OF SAFETY.

AND THE WHOLE IDEA OF RIDING THE E-BIKE IS IT'S QUIET, YOU GET TO SEE NATURE. YOU RIDE UP ON ALL KIND OF WILDLIFE. IT'S VERY ENJOYABLE.

IT'S NOT ENJOYABLE WHEN YOU HAVE TO RIDE ON A SMALL STRIP OF ASPHALT WITH CARS GOING BY YOU AT 65 MILES AN HOUR.

I'M ALL FOR IT. I THINK WHOEVER DOESN'T AGREE WITH IT IS NOT A BIKER. SIMPLE AS THAT.

YOU HAVE A BLESSED DAY. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, CHAIRMAN.

MY NAME IS BRAD THOMAS, I LIVE IN SEA GROVE.

I'M A RETIRED APPELLATE JUDGE AND ADVISOR TO THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF SENATE. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT YOUR WORK IS.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMENTS OF THE FOLKS OPPOSED TO THIS. I KNOW THEY ARE SINCERE AND HAVE LEGITIMATE BUSINESS CONCERNS; HOWEVER, I THINK IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS I HOPE THAT YOUR DECISION WILL BE TO SUPPORT THE CURRENT ALIGNMENT WHICH GOES DOWN A1A BEACH BOULEVARD.

I'VE RIDDEN MY BIKE DOWN THE BOULEVARD AND I DON'T RECOMMEND IT. IT'S NOT SAFE.

IT'S JUST NOT FEASIBLE. IT'S NOT PLEASANT.

I DO IT BECAUSE I LIKE GETTING DOWN THERE ON MY BIKE, BUT IT'S NOT AN ADVISABLE WAY TO SPEND YOUR TIME.

THE SPEED LIMIT THERE AS YOU KNOW IS 0 MILES AN HOUR -- 30 MILES AN HOUR. VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE MADE THE SPEED LIMIT. I'VE HAD CARS GO BY ME THERE AT 60 MILES AN HOUR, 6 INCHES A FOOT AWAY FROM MY BICYCLE WITH NO SPACE THERE. I KNOW YOU HAVE A DECISION TO

[05:30:06]

MAKE TO WEIGH ALL THE CONSIDERATIONS BUT THERE'S NO QUESTION IN MY MIND AND I THINK IT'S BEEN PROVEN HERE BY THE ADVOCATES THAT THERE WILL BE TREMENDOUS BENEFITS FROM THIS ALIGNMENT. AS ONE SPEAKER WHO I APPRECIATE WHO OPPOSED IT, BUT HE ALSO NOTED THAT OF COURSE THERE ARE BENEFITS. YOUR JOB I KNOW IS DIFFICULT TO WEIGH THESE BENEFITS AND TO WEIGH THE DISADVANTAGES BUT I THINK HERE IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT ONCE THE CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE AND I UNDERSTAND IT WILL BE DIFFICULT THAT THE BENEFITS WILL FAR OUTWEIGH THE DISADVANTAGES.

I HAVE A DEAR FRIEND IN A WHEELCHAIR, THE FACT THAT THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER MENTIONED DISABILITY AND ACCESS, THERE'S NO WAY A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR CAN ENJOY A1A BEACH BOULEVARD AND RIDE IN THEIR CHAIR. IT'S NO WAY IS THAT FEASIBLE.

WHEN THIS IS COMPLETE IT WILL BE.

WILL IT BE PERFECT, IS IT A PERFECT ALIGNMENT? PROBABLY NOT. NO SUCH THING AS PERFECTION IN GOVERNMENTAL DECISIONS AND POLICY DECISIONS.

BUT IT WILL BE A HUGE ADVANTAGE, I RECOMMEND IT.

I ADVOCATE FOR IT AND I SUSPECT YOU'LL FIND IT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT ON BALANCE WILL BE JUST A GREAT AMENITY FOR THE PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE BUSINESS OWNERS ONCE IT'S COMPLETE ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERNS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY NAME IS DAN HOLBERG, 417-- [INDISCERNIBLE]-- CIRCLE.

I'M BE REAL QUICK. THIS PATH IS GONNA HAVE, THEY'RE E-BIKES ON THERE GOING VERY FAST WITH KIDS.

WITH PEOPLE JUST BACK AND OUR STREETS AS FAR AS KIDS 14, 15 YEARS OLD. THAT'S DANGEROUS AND YOU CAN'T STOP IT. THE OTHER THING THAT'S DANGEROUS WITH KIDS, WALKERS, RUNNERS, CARS, THE REAL BIKERS, THE REAL FAST BIKERS GOING 25, 30 MILES AN HOUR.

ARE GONNA HAVE ALL OF THOSE ENTRANTS AND EXITS, 57 EXITS AND ENTRANTS ON THE BOULEVARD THEY'RE GONNA HAVE INJURIES AND IT WILL BE BAD. THERE'S NO WAY TO KEEP THAT SAFE. NO WAY.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. COULD I HAVE THINGS SWITCHED OVER TO THE X... SO I'M MARGUERITE ARDITO, 532 WEST AVENUE IN BILAND AND I'M THE CO-FOUNDERS AND PRESIDENT OF THE ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION THAT SUPPORTS THIS SUN TRAIL WHICH RUNS THROUGH ST.~JOHNS COUNTY AND AS YOU HEARD FOUR OTHER COUNTIES. HAVING BEEN IN THIS ROLE FOR TEN YEARS, I WAS THE CO-FOUNDER WITH HERB MILLER WHO MANY OF YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN IN THIS ROLE FOR TEN YEARS AND I'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF THE CYCLE OF GETTING A TRAIL THROUGH.

IT'S NEVER EASY. NEVER EASY AT ALL.

BY THE FIRST STEP IS ALWAYS INTENSIVE PLANNING.

OF DEVELOPING THE ROUTE. AND IT'S ALWAYS DIFFICULT AND A LOT OF ALTERNATIVES GET EVALUATED AND IT COMES OUT TO THE BEST AND THE SAFEST AND THE MOST BENEFICIAL ROUTE.

AND MOST PEOPLE ARE USUALLY HAPPY WITH THAT BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WHO DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S GONNA BE.

THEY ARE AFRAID. OF DISRUPTION PRIMARILY.

TWO VISITORS, AND TWO BUSINESSES AND TO THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL. BY NOT TAKING AWAY ITS CHARACTER, BUT INCREASING THE CHARACTER.

BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE MORE PEOPLE OUT ENJOYING IT.

AS YOU KNOW, -- THIS IS NOT JUST AN ISOLATED TRAIL, THIS IS PART OF THE FLORIDA STATE SUN TRAIL PROGRAM.

[05:35:01]

AND THAT IS HUGE PROGRAM. NOT ONLY CONNECTS WITH THE 500 MILES AROUND HERE, BUT ALSO THE THOUSANDS OF MILES IN THE RESIDENTS OF FLORIDA. BUT THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART HERE. AND I WANT TO CLEAR UP SOME MISCONCEPTIONS. IT IS NOT 12 FEET, IT IS 10 FEET. IT DOES HAVE A 2-FOOT BUFFER THAT PROTECTS THE TRAIL AND IT WILL NOT DESTROY BUSINESSES, IT WILL IMPROVE BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY BY BRINGING ON FOOT AND DISABILITY AIDS INTO THEIR SHOPS.

AND IT WILL IMPROVE ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE HOSPITALITY BUSINESS. AS WELL AS --

>> THANK YOU. >> FIRST, MY NAME IS BETH AND I LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH. AND FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I WANT TO CHEW MY FINGERS OFF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FIRST OFF, THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS UP AND TALKING ABOUT THE WONDERFUL TRAIL IN POWER SPRINGS GEORGIA, THAT HIS INDEED BEEN A BEAUTIFUL TRAIL BUT IT USED TO BE A RAILROAD TRACK, AN ABANDONED RAILROAD TRACK. AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPARE APPLES TO ORANGES. AN ABANDONED RAILROAD TRACK DOES MAKE A GREAT PLACE FOR A TRAIL. DOWN BEACH BOULEVARD, IT DOES NOT. THE CITY, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE FOR A FIRE STATION ON THE BEACH FOR A LONG TIME. BECAUSE IT IS VERY CONGESTED THERE. THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A SPOT THAT IS LESS CONGESTED. WHICH IS RIGHT BY THE PEER.

SO WHY WE WOULD WANT TO PUT -- NOW IT WAS 12 FEET, THEY HAVE SET IT DOWN TO TEN. BUT WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO PUT A TRAIL THAT WOULD MAKE MORE CONGESTION IN AN ALREADY CONGESTED AREA? IN 2024, THERE WERE 4550 CALLOUTS THAT FIRE STATION. IN 2025, 4298.

THIS YEAR, WE ARE ALSO ON TRACK TO GO OVER 4000 CALLS FROM THAT STATION. WE ALSO HAVE, AS SOMEONE STATED EARLIER, DELIVERY TRUCKS THAT HAVE TO PARK IN THE TURN LANE.

WHEN I WAS COMING HOME THE OTHER DAY, I WAS ON BEACH AND GUY HARVEY RESORT HAD TWO-THIRDS IN THE TURN LANE, GETTING READY TO TURN IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT. WE WERE IN TRAFFIC AND WHAT COMES BEHIND US BUT A FIRE TRUCK.

WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF INTO THE SHOULDERS WHICH ARE 5 FEET WIDE AT SOME POINT WHICH IS AS WIDE AS THEY ARE ON A REGULAR A1 A, WE DON'T HAVE THE BIKE SYMBOLS.

WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE THOSE AWAY? IF YOU TAKE THOSE AWAY. THAT IS ALL I HAVE.

EXCEPT TO SAY THAT SOMEBODY WAS SAYING THAT THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO RIDE THREE BIKE ON THIS TRAIL.

THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH IS TRYING TO IMPLEMENT A REGULATION THAT PROHIBITS HE BIKES FROM THE TRAIL.

IT IS ON A1 A, EVERYONE SELLS IT EXCEPT TO .8 MILES.

LET'S USE THAT ALTERNATE ROUTE. IT EMPTIES OUT RIGHT IN THE HEART OF ALL OF THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT THERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOOD LUCK.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

HELLO, I'M SALLY AND I WAS THE ADMINISTRATOR BACK IN 2006 FOR MANY YEARS. AND STILL WORKING WITH TRAILS OF SORTS. WELL FAMILIAR WITH TRAILS AND HAVE BEEN PROMOTING THEM AND ADVOCATING FOR THEM FOR A COUPLE DECADES. THIS S NOT A NEW IDEA ABOUT THE 260-MILE LOOP COMPLETION. THERE'S A WHOLE NETWORK OF TRAILS ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT HAVE BEEN BUILDING AND BUILDING AND GROWING AND GROWING AS THE POPULATION GROWS.

YES IN 2008, THE CONCEPT WAS CONCEIVED, DEVELOPED AS CINDY HAD INDICATED THAT SHE WAS AMONG THE ORIGINATORS OF THOSE.

FUNDING TOOK DECADES. DECADES TO GET ROLLING DOWN THE TUBES. AND IN 2017, I EVEN APPLIED FOR SUN TRAIL FUNDING FOR THE LOOP. AND IN ITS SECTOR.

BUT IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN AND PROGRESSED

[05:40:02]

FORWARD. THIS IS NOT AN ACCIDENTAL PROCESS. IT IS DELIBERATE, PUBLIC PLANNING. WE HAD CHARTS THAT GREG PUT UP THERE ON THE MULTIPLE PUBLIC MEETINGS.

I DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN F D.O.T., THE CONSULTANT AND THE PUBLIC AND THE ONGOING COMMUNICATION PROCESS THAT IS VERY URGENTLY NEEDED TO AVOID THESE PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS AND DIALOGS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FENCE.

WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS IS A TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECT AND WE SHOULD NOT QUIBBLE OVER WHERE THE PLACEMENT IS, IF THE PROFESSIONALS HAVE DONE A FEASIBILITY STUDY YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AND THEY ARE VERY PUBLIC.

THESE DECISIONS WERE BASED ON GEOMETRY RIGHT AWAY.

AND I AM NOT AN ENGINEER OR PROFESSIONAL, BUT I TRUST THEM.

HAVING WORKED WITH THEM FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES.

GOOD MODIFICATIONS BE MADE? YES.

GOOD COMPROMISES BE DONE? YES.

BUT IN THE FINAL PHASES, WE ARE IN THE FINAL PHASES OF DESIGN, WE ARE ABOUT 60% DONE, THEY'VE GOT MONEY IN THE TUBES FOR CONSTRUCTION. LET'S MOVE FORWARD AND TRANSFORM THE AREA AND A POSITIVE MANNER, MAKE EVERYBODY SAFE.

IT IS PART OF THE RIVER CITY LOOP, HASTINGS WILL BE APPLYING FOR IT TRAIL TOWN DESIGNATION. IT GOT THE BEACH IT'S TRAIL TOWN DESIGNATION. MAYBE ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH WILL BE THE NEXT ONE. BUT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT, IT IS VERY POSITIVE, THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> I AM BRIAN FROM THE NORTH FLORIDA BICYCLE CLUB. WE FAVOR THE BEACH BOULEVARD SIDEWALK WIDENING PROJECT AND THE SUN TRAIL AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE CLUB WITH ME TODAY WHO RIDE THE TRAILS AND SOME OF WHOM LIVE IN THE AREA. FIRST, THE PARTICULAR STRETCH OF ROAD THAT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS FREQUENTED BY CLASS A MOTOR HOMES AND TRUCKS. AND I HAD SOME ADDITIONAL CONCERNS TODAY THAT HAVE NOT BEEN BROUGHT UP.

THESE VEHICLES ARE TYPICALLY 8-A .5 FEET WIDE.

AND IF YOU ADD SIDE MIRRORS TO THE MAP, YOU GET A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. BECAUSE OF THE ROADWAY IS ONLY 10 FEET WIDE AND THERE IS NOTHING BUT A SHOULDER, WHICH USUALLY IS LITTERED WITH DEBRIS, CYCLISTS WITH SKINNY TIRES ARE FORCED TO AVOID THE OUTER PERIMETER, MAYBE ONE-THIRD TO PREVENT PERIL. WE ARE VERN -- VULNERABLE ROAD USERS, WE HAVE NO AIRBAGS, NO SEAT BELT, NO SURROUNDING METAL CAGES. AND OUR HELMETS ARE LIGHTWEIGHT AND DON'T PREVENT SERIOUS BRAIN DAMAGE ON MANY FALLS.

WE MUST ENTER THE ROADWAY LANE OFTEN TO AVOID GETTING SQUEEZED OR SIDESWIPED. AND THIS FORCES VEHICLES TO PASS TOO CLOSELY, WHICH VIOLATES THE FREQUENT PASSING BUFFER THAT IS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA LAW. IT CREATES AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION. ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEY CANNOT CROSS OVER THAT CENTER DOUBLE YELLOW LINE. THERE IS FRICTION TRYING TO SHARE THE ROADWAY IN A FRIENDLY MANNER.

SECOND, THE BEACH BOULEVARD AREA HERE THAT GOES THROUGH THE ANASTASIA STATE PARK AREA, HAS SHOULDERS.

THEY ARE NOT DEFINED AS PART OF THE ROADWAY.

CYCLISTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE THEM UNLESS THEY FEEL SAFE TO DO SO. BUT IF THE ROADWAY HAD A LEGAL BIKE LANE, ONLY LEGAL BIKES AND E-BIKES ARE ALLOWED TO USE THEM AND THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT POINT. CARS CANNOT PARK IN THEM, THEY CANNOT USE THEM AS A PARKING LANE, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN LISTED EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES. PEDESTRIANS, SCOOTERS, OTHER FORMS OF NONBICYCLE MOBILITY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THEM.

SO IN THE FUTURE, IF ALL OF THE FUNDING AND THE CONSTRUCTION COMES TO PASS, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE COMMISSION CONSIDER INCLUDING A 5-FOOT WIDE, LEGAL BIKE LANE TO GIVE US BIKERS THE PROTECTION THAT WE NEED. THIRD, MOTORISTS MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT IT IS, IN FACT, PERMISSIBLE --

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I LIVE AT 58 WILLOW DRIVE ON ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH.

[05:45:05]

AND I'M NOT OPPOSED TO A SON PATH.

BUT WHAT I DON'T AGREE WITH HIS HAVING IT ON BEACH BOULEVARD.

I THINK IT IS A DANGER TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, PEDESTRIANS, BIKERS, CYCLISTS, CARS, EVERYTHING. AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF REROUTING IT. THE WAY THE GENTLEMAN HAD SPOKEN UP EARLIER ABOUT ON STATE ROAD. A1 A 211TH STREET.

I AM AN AVID CYCLIST, I'M NOT PART OF A GROUP.

I CYCLE MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT FOR MY ERRANDS AND FOR MILES.

AND I FIND THAT OFTEN TIMES, EVEN IN THESE NONBIKE LANE LANES, UP AND DOWN BEACH A1 A, MOTORISTS ARE OFTEN VERY COURTEOUS. AND IF THAT WAS WIDENED, IT WOULD BE AMAZING, MUCH SAFER. AND TO BRING THE CYCLIST ONTO THE BEACH, PUBLIX DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A BIKE RACK.

SO A LOT OF THESE BUSINESSES AREN'T EVEN EQUIPPED TO BRING IN ALL OF THESE SO-CALLED, PEOPLE. BRINGING THEM TO THE BEACH WHERE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE, WHAT, OVER MAYBE A DOZEN RESTAURANTS AND THERE ARE SOME SHOPS? BUT IT IS NOT THIS MASSIVE, AMAZING SHOPPING CENTER ON THE BEACH.

YOU GO THERE TO GO TO THE BEACH AND USE SOME OF THE FACILITIES.

AND I DON'T KNOW, I AM JUST -- I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A DIFFERENT PLAN FOR THIS PATH TO BE COMPLETED.

[APPLAUSE] GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SUSAN DALEY, I LIVE AT 440 CEAN GROVE CIRCLE AT ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH.

BECAUSE WE ARE FOCUSING ON SAFETY, I THINK THAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT WE ARE ALL INTERESTED IN, I WOULD LIKE TO READ A PORTION OF A BLOG THAT IS WRITTEN BY A PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST, AN AVID CYCLIS. AND I WILL QUOTE HOW HE FEELS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.

IS CYCLIST, WHEN WE ARE NOT SHARING THE ROAD WITH CARS, WE OFTEN SHARE SPACE WITH PEDESTRIANS.

MIXED-USE PATHS, OFF-ROAD TRAILS, CERTAIN TYPES OF CROSSINGS. EVEN THE ROAD ITSELF IN AREAS WITH NO SIDEWALKS. TO NEW CYCLIST, THIS USUALLY SEEMS LIKE A SAFER OPTION TO RIDING IN TRAFFIC.

BUT THEY SOON LEARNED THAT MIXING WITH PEDESTRIANS PRESENT ITS OWN CHALLENGES. PEOPLE ON FOOT MOVE DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE ON A BIKE, THEIR BEHAVIOR CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT. COMPARED TO CYCLIST, PEDESTRIANS ARE LESS LIKELY TO KEEP A CONSISTENT LINE OF TRAVEL AND MORE LIKELY TO MAKE UNEXPECTED STOPS.

WHICH MAKES PASSING THEM TRICKY. CHILDREN MAKE SUDDEN U-TURNS.

DOG WALKERS LET THEIR CANINES LOOSE.

COUPLES SHOP EACH OTHER PLAYFULLY ACROSS THE PATH.

JOGGERS ZIGZAGGED OBLIVIOUSLY WITH THEIR HEADPHONES ON.

EVEN SEEMINGLY PREDICTABLE WALKERS MOVING AT A STEADY PACE CAN STOP WITHOUT WARNING IF THEY GET A PHONE CALL OR NOTICE SOMETHING INTERESTING ON THE SIDE OF THE TRAIL.

NOW, JUST IMAGINE THE SCENARIO PLAYING OUT ON A1 A BEACH BOULEVARD WITH THE SUN TRAIL RUN THROUGH THERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO REINFORCE THE IDEA THAT WE ARE NOT OPPOSED -- OPPOSED TO THE SUN TRAIL. I THINK IT IS A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL INITIATIVE. BUT I HAVE LIVED ON ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND HAVE LIVED IN AND AROUND FOR 50 YEARS. I LOVE TO WALK DOWN A1A BEACHH,- BOULEVARD, IT IS BEAUTIFUL. I JUST THINK THAT COMMON SENSE SHOULD PREVAIL AND I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE TO PUT THE SUN TRAIL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING. [APPLAUSE]

>> HELLO, I LIVE AT 249 CIRCLE. I AM HERE -- FIRST OF ALL, BEFORE I START WITH WHAT I WANTED TO PRESENT, I WANT TO SAY THAT RIGHT NOW, IT IS NOT SAFE CYCLING OR WALKING -- IT IS NOT SAFE CYCLING OR WALKING. IN ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH.

[05:50:06]

WE HAVE DISORGANIZATION, WE HAVE FRAGMENTED MOVEMENTS AND WE HAVE TWO SETS OF SIDEWALKS WITH WALKING.

WE HAVE WALKERS SCREAMING AT THE CYCLISTS SAYING THEY SHOULDN'T BE ON THE SIDEWALK, IT IS LEGAL. AND WE HAVE PEOPLE ON THE SHOULDER THAT SOME PEOPLE CALL THE BIKE LANE, GOING TO DIFFERENT WAYS. IT IS NOT SAFE.

AND WHAT THE TRAIL WILL DO IS ORGANIZE AND GET BETTER LINE OF SIGHT. AND ALLOW MORE MANEUVERABILITY.

SO WHEN SOMEONE IS WALKING, YOU CAN GET AROUND THEM.

NOW FOR THE SUBJECT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO APPEAR.

WHY NOT A1A? THE VERY FIRST REASON IS THAT SOME PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THIS WILL CAUSE A MAJOR, MASSIVE DELAY TO CONNECTIVITY. IT ISN'T LIKE YOU CAN JUST SAY HEY, TAKE A1A. THEY HAVE TO REAPPLY.

THE ESTIMATE I HAVE HEARD OVER AND OVER, IT WILL BE FIVE OR SIX YEARS. IF THE STATE ALLOWS THAT CONNECTIVITY TO HAPPEN. THAT JUST MEANS THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SAFETY FOR ANOTHER 5-6 YEARS.

UNTIL 2032. OKAY? WE ALSO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT $750,000.

OF STATE MONEY, TO STUDY ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN WE MOVE IT TO A1A? I IMAGINE IT IS GOING TO COST AT LEAST A MILLION NOW.

MAYBE A MILLION AND A HALF TO DO THAT.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY. IT'S RESIDENTS AND THE CITY FEEL THEY NEED SEPARATE, ORGANIZED INFRASTRUCTURE IN FIVE OR TEN YEARS, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THEN? BECAUSE IT IS GETTING BUSIER IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THE POPULATION IS GROWING. DO YOU THINK THE STATE WILL SAY HEY, WE HAVE MORE MONEY? WE'RE JUST GOING GOING TO FORK UP ANOTHER $5 MILLION AND IT DIVERTED TO A1A.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL OR NOT.

BUT IF I WERE THEM, I'M NOT SURE I WOULD.

I THINK THAT MONEY WILL BE GONE, I THINK IT WILL BE BUSY AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE DIVERTING TO THE BEACH ANYWAY, EVEN IF IT IS ON A1A. DIVER TO A1A, YOU MAY GET THE EXACT SAME OPPOSITION THAT YOU WERE GETTING NOW.

AND I'M DONE. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> HELLO, THINK YOU VERY MUCH, ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I'M SURE YOU HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SO MANY CONFLICTING OPINIONS ABOUT THIS AND SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY.

MY NAME IS ANNA NOVAK AND I'M A RESIDENT HERE AT A HOMEOWNER WITH MY HUSBAND IN A SEA COLONY. AND I'M AN AVID WALKER AND BIKE RIDER. AND ACTUALLY TALK CYCLE CLASS FOR THE YMCAS OF CHICAGO FOR 19 YEARS.

MY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT EDUCATION WAS SAFETY.

AND THAT IS WHY I REALLY FELT THE NEED TO SPEAK OUT TODAY.

THE SUN TRAIL DOES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE A LAND WORK ACHIEVEMENT FOR COMMUNITY. CONNECTING US TO A HEALTHIER WAY OF LIFE. AND FAMILIES, HELPING FAMILIES HAVE FUN TOGETHER. A GREAT VISION LIKE THAT TRULY DESERVES TO BE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED.

AND THIS VISION ON BEACH BOULEVARD REALLY PRESENTS A VERY SERIOUS DANGER THAT WE CANNOT IGNORE.

U.S. ONE BY CONTRAST OFFERS A RIGHT-OF-WAY ASSISTING PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE. IT IS ALREADY PRIMED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. AND JUST IN BRIEF, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I AM NOT HERE, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS SPOKEN UP, TO GET RID OF THE PROJECT. BUT TO MAKE IT RIGHT.

TO MAKE IT SAFE. WHICH IS A PRIMARY CONCERN.

IF THERE WAS ANY CONCERN WITH SAFETY, WE NEED TO STEP BACK, TAKE MORE TIME AND REALLY CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE OF MOVING THIS TO US1 AND I HOPE YOU WILL DO THAT.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS, I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG MORNING, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO HAS COME OUT FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO BELIEVE IN KEEPING THE SUN TRAIL THE WAY IT IS IN THOSE FOLKS WHO THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER TO MOVE IT. I FALL INTO THAT LATTER CAMP.

[05:55:01]

I HAVE LIVED IN ST. AUGUSTINE SINCE THE MID-80S.

I OWN PROPERTY ON ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH GOING BACK TO EARLY -- I LIVED ON THE BEACH FOR A LONG TIME.

ANYWAY, I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE BEACH.

OF WANT TO SHARE THIS VERY QUICKLY.

THE STATE ROAD THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS GOING FROM LAND TO ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH AND THE PUBLICS IS 12 MILES, THE STRETCH WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ON ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH IS ROUGHLY TWO AND A HALF MILES. AND THEN THE TRAIL IS GOING TO CONTINUE ANOTHER 3 MILES DOWN TO ST. AUGUSTINE.

ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CITY TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS, WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT MANAGES A LOT OF INDUSTRY, THEY GENERALLY RECOMMEND AGAINST MIXING PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE LANES IN THE SAME PATH, PARTICULARLY IN URBAN CONTEXT, PREFERRING THEY WOULD BE SEPARATED FOR SAFETY AND COMFORT AND NOW WE'RE TALKING GOING FROM A 12-FOOT TO A 10-FOOT. SO JUST THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH LESS SPACE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE. SO IF YOU IMAGINE PEOPLE IN BIKES AND WALKING, STROLLERS , HE BIKES I THINK WILL BE MOVED OFF THE ROAD, WHICH WILL BE GREAT.

BUT THAT IS REALLY A PROBLEM. THE OTHER PIECE HERE IS A KEEP MOVING, IS GENERALLY BIKES SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO USE THE SAME PATH, AND INCREASES COLLISION RISK AND REDUCES COMFORT DUE TO SPEED DIFFERENCES.

I WILL SHARE THESE WITH YOU. I DID SOME RESEARCH JUST TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU, TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF HOW MANY PEOPLE THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO IMPACT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE VERY BOTTOM, YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE ARE ROUGHLY 556 HOMES EAST OF A1A BOULEVARD AND THESE PEOPLE HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO, TO HAVE TO GO UP TO THE BOULEVARD. THERE'S ROUGHLY 1584 CONDOS AND ROOMS THAT USE THE SPACE, ROUGHLY 2000 INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES THAT LIVE ON THE EAST SIDE.

BY MY COUNT THERE IS 93 EGRESS AND INGRESS POINTS.

I ACCOUNT FOR ROADS GOING IN AND OUT, THAT IS TWICE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CURRENT SUN TRAIL, THE BEACH BOULEVARD, THES I THINK 1548 CONDOS, PARKING SPACES, AIRBNB.

THIS IS DEFINITELY THE LEAST SAFE ROUTE AND I WOULD SAY THAT AS YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS AND GIVING STAFF DIRECTION, YOU REALLY MAY WANT TO CONSIDER IF YOU FEEL STRONG BUT KEEPING ON BEACH BOULEVARD, MOVE IT OVER TO THE WEST SIDE OF BEACH BOULEVARD BECAUSE THEY HAVE ABOUT HALF THE NUMBER OF INGRESS AND EGRESS POINTS THERE. AND IT WOULD BE A LOT EASIER BECAUSE MOST OF THE FOLKS ON THE WEST SIDE CAN GET OUT ON A1A.

I GUESS WE'RE DONE HERE. IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. JIM, I LIVE ON 1753, ABOUT 300 METERS FROM THE TRAIL. I'M JUST HERE TO SUPPORT THE SUN TRAIL. AND ITS PLANNED ROUTE THROUGH ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH. HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CYCLING COMMUNITY HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS AS A BUSINESS OWNER OF A BIKE FIT STUDIO IN ST. AUGUSTINE, I'M VERY AWARE OF CYCLING THROUGH THE AREA.

WE ALSO DESIGN AND PRODUCE -- I GIVE FREE BUMPER STICKERS WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

AND REPRODUCE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STICKERS THAT STICKERS THAT THEY SENT STATEWIDE.

THAT IS TO CREATE MORE AWARENESS OF CYCLIST ON THE GROUND.

AS A PARENT OF YOUNG KIDS, I CAN TRULY ATTEST THAT THE WAY BEACH BOULEVARD IS CURRENTLY SET UP, IT IS NOT SAFE TO RIDE WITH YOUR FAMILIES AND YOUR LITTLE KIDS. I DON'T FEEL ACCOUNTABLE TAKING THE KIDS THERE WHATSOEVER BY BIKE.

TO KEEP PEDESTRIANS SAFE, WE CAN KEEP THESE VULNERABLE USERS WITH THEIR OWN DEDICATED TRAIL. THEY THEN CONNECT COMMUNITIES THREAT THE STATE. AND IN THIS CASE, THE COMMUNITY 'S DOWNTOWN AND THE BEACH.

IT IS KEY THAT THESE TRAILS MUST THEN LEAD TO THE PLACES THAT USERS WANT TO GO. ONCE AGAIN, THESE BEACH BUSINESSES. THE SUN TRAIL SHOULD NOT BYPASS THE BEACH, BUT RATHER IT SHOULD SAFELY BRING NONMOTORIZED USERS TO THEIR DESTINATION AT THE BEACH AND BEACH BUSINESSES.

PEOPLE MOVE TO THIS COUNTY FOR BEACH ACCESS, IS WE ALL SEE THE ADS, EVERY SINGLE AT HAS A PICTURE OF THE BEACH.

SO PLEASE COMMISSIONERS, DO NOT DENY THE ACCESS TO THE BEACH VIA THE BIKE TRAIL. DO NOT BE INFLUENCED BY WHOEVER SHOUTS THE LOUDEST, BUT BY RATHER WHAT WILL BE BEST FOR THE SAFETY OF CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. AS OUR ROADS CONTINUE TO BECOME MORE CROWDED AND DANGEROUS. ONCE THE TRAIL IS BUILT, WE CAN LOOK AT IT AND HAVE A SPEED LIMIT ON THAT STRETCH OF THE

[06:00:01]

TRAIL. WHEN I TEND TO RIDE ON A BUSY TRAIL, I'M GOING TO RIDE FIVE, 10 MILES AN HOUR.

I'M NOT SPEEDING THROUGH. ESPECIALLY ON THE BEACH, BY THE TIME WE ARE THERE I MIGHT GO TO ENJOY THE SIGHTS OF THE TRAIL.

SO I DON'T SEE THAT THIS PEOPLE WRITING 20 MILES PER HOUR ON THE TRAIL AS SOME MAY PROPOSE. 'S OUTLOOK FOR US TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT AS IT STANDS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. I'M JUST GOING TO READ, IF THAT IS OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION YOU HAVE GIVEN THIS PROJECT. PART OF MY CONCERN HAS BEEN ALLEVIATED TODAY, THAT IS BEING NO LONGER TREATED AS A ZERO-SUM GAME. IS OVER ONE SIDE TO WIN, THE OTHER MUST LOSE. THAT IS NOT HOW COMMUNITIES COMPROMISE AND IT IS NOT HOW WE BUILD CONSENSUS TOGETHER.

IF THIS CONVERSATION IS TRULY ABOUT SAFETY AND COMMUNITY, THEN WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MANY OF THE ACCESS POINTS ALONG A1A BEACH BOULEVARD BEING DESCRIBED AS DANGEROUS EXIST ALREADY TODAY. BUSINESSES, DRIVEWAYS AND ROAD ENTRANCES CURRENTLY INTERSECT WITH A 5-FOOT SIDEWALK.

WE'RE NOT PROPOSING TO ILLUMINATE THOSE ACCESS POINTS BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY'S FUNCTION THROUGH SHARED USE AND RESPONSE WILL DESIGN.

THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT DEPENDS ON EDUCATION, ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING LAWS AND THOUGHTFUL PLANNING.

NOT FEAR OF CHANGE. SAFETY IS EVERYBODY'S RESPONSIBILITY. THIS TRAIL IS MORE THAN JUST A PATH, IT IS A LONG-TERM@INVESTM, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE. THE A1A BEACH BOULEVARD CORRIDOR IS EXACTLY WHERE THIS KIND OF INFO STRUCTURE BELONGS.

BECAUSE TRAILS ARE DESIGNED TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO DESTINATIONS AND TO EACH OTHER. AND IMPORTANTLY, WERE NOT ONLY PLANNING FOR THE RESIDENTS OF TODAY, WE ARE PLANNING FOR FUTURE FAMILIES, FUTURE VISITORS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THIS PROJECT ARE OFTEN NOT IN THIS ROOM BECAUSE THEY ARE AT WORK, RAISING FAMILIES AND BUILDING THEIR LIVES HERE. THIS PROJECT CREATE A SEA OF CONNECTED COMMUNITY, A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES CAN WALK TOGETHER, CHILDREN CAN WRITE SAFELY, WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN MEET ONE ANOTHER AND WHERE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE CAN ENJOY ALL THE BEACH HAS TO OFFER. IT BELONGS FOR THE PEOPLE ARE, NOT THROUGH AN OBSCURE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE NO ONE WILL USE IT. CHANGE CAN BE DIFFICULT, THE THOUGHTFUL PROGRESS AS PART OF RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP.

I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO CONTINUE PLANNING NOT JUST FOR TODAY, BUT FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME, FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

OH SORRY. DID NOT SEE YOU THERE.

COME ON UP. IF THERE'S ANYBODY ELSE, PLEASE

BE UP AND BE READY. >> I'M REMINDED OF A LINE FROM

THAT MOVIE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE, I KNOW THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION, AS WE CAN ALL SEE.

I'M JUST HERE TO REITERATE THAT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY THAT HAS SPOKEN TODAY ABOUT HER GOING THROUGH THE BEACH IS AGAINST WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED. I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT THE SUN TRAIL IS A WONDERFUL THING. HOWEVER, THERE ARE ENOUGH CONCERNS AND WE HAVE HEARD EVERYBODY TALK ABOUT HOW UNSAFE IT ALREADY IS. SO DOES INVITING SO MUCH MORE FOOT TRAFFIC AND BIKE TRAFFIC GOING TO HELP THE SITUATION THAT IS ALREADY OVERCROWDED ON OUR BEACHES? I THINK THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME VERY GOOD ALTERNATIVES, THEY WERE ALREADY PROPOSED, THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXPLORED.

AND I THINK ALL WE ARE ASKING IS TO PLEASE RECONSIDER GOING RIGHT DOWN THE BEACH BOULEVARD. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

>> THANK YOU. LAST CALL, ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9? OKAY, SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> THINK IS SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

THIS IS A FASCINATING DIALOG. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FOLKS IN THE WHITE, STATING TIME AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT YOU ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THE TRAIL. I THINK THAT EVEN I COULD PROCESS THAT. INC. YOU FOR THAT.

ARE YOU PINCH-HITTING FOR MR. CALDWELL?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

THERE IS A SLIDE PRESENTED THAT SAID IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT WE DO NOT MIX PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC WITH BICYCLE TRAFFI.

WAS THAT CONTEMPLATED AS A PART OF THIS PLAN?

[06:05:03]

>> SO THE SUN TRAIL AS A WHOLE IS, BY NEIGHBOR -- BY NATURE, IN MIXED-USE TRAIL, SO THE INTENT IS TO MIX USES ON THE TRAIL.

>> OKAY. SO THE INTENT WAS TO MIX THE USES. WE NOW THEY FACTORED IN THAT

WRECK MENTATION OR NOT? >> I DON'T KNOW THAT OFFHAND.

>> I WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE ON STAFF LOOKING INTO WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS CONTEMPLATED AS PART OF THIS PLAN.

JUST BECAUSE THAT RAISES A LITTLE BIT OF A CONCERN, THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT IS REALLY MY ONLY QUESTION.

I GOT A LOT OF THOUGHTS, JUST IN THE INTEREST OF BEING BRIEF, I WILL SAY THIS. THE PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE THAT GOES DOWN AND EXTENDS ONTO POLK ROAD, IS ANYBODY IN THE AUDITORIUM FROM THAT AREA? CHOPIN'S.

WAS THERE ONE RESIDENT? SO MY CONCERN THERE IS NUMBER 1, WE DON'T KNOW IF THE RESIDENTS WILL SUPPORT THE PROPOSED --

[INAUDIBLE] >> SO WE DON'T KNOW -- IT IS PART OF THE GREENWAY BUT NOT THIS TRAIL AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL SUPPORT ALL OF THE BIKES, WE DON'T KNOW.

AND TO, WHAT IS TO STOP THE BIKERS ONCE THEY REACH POPE ROAD THEY CAN STILL GO TO ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH.

IMAGINE PEDDLING 100 MILES. ARE COMING OVER AND THEN THINKING, WELL, I'M NOT GOING TO GO TO SING AUGUSTINE BEACH.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS LIKELY. I THINK IF YOU PEDDLE 100 MILES FROM FLORIDA, YOU WILL WANT TO SEE SAME AUGUSTINE BEACH.

YOU WILL WANT TO GO OUT ON THE PEER, YOU WILL WANT TO GET THE SEAFOOD SHACK FOR SOME OF THE OTHER FINE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ARE OUT THERE. YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO VISIT THOSE PROPERTIES, YOU WERE GOING TO WANT TO SEE THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. ESPECIALLY COMING FROM THERE, NO DISRESPECT TO MY COLLEAGUES FROM THERE.

WE JUST TRYING TO EVALUATE HUMAN NATURE HERE.

WILL PEOPLE REALLY STOP AND EYELASH AWAY FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN JUST BECAUSE THE TRAIL TAKES THEM DOWN? I DON'T THINK THAT IS LIKELY. THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS.

I HAVE A LOT MORE SWIRLING AROUND MY HEAD BUT IT IS THE END OF A VERY LONG DAY, I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> I FOUND SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE AGREES ON IN THIS ROOM, AND THAT IS THE SUN TRAIL. AND I LIKE HOW YOU'RE SAYING SUN TRAIL, WE DID CHANGE THE NAME OF THAT ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO MONTHS AGO. SO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE MIX.

SAYING THE WEST SIDE, THAT IS INTERESTING.

OR A1A. I DON'T KNOW IF I AM READY -- I DON'T KNOW IF I'M PERSONALLY READY TO MAKE THAT DECISION BECAUSE OF THE DIVIDE AND SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE -- I DON'T KNOW, SWIRLING IN MY HEAD. THAT IS ALL I HAVE LEFT TO SAY.

>> WE CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY.

ANYONE ELSE? OKAY.

WITH THAT, ANY OTHER COMMENTS AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER COMMENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, THINK YOU EVERYOE FOR BEING HERE AND EXPRESSING YOUR OPINIONS. THIS DID A LOT AND WENT A LONG WAY TOWARDS HELPING US UNDERSTND THE DYNAMICS OF THIS AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CIVILITY. NOW YOU CAN CLAP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

[Commissioners’ Reports ]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. IF YOU ARE READY, WILL GO WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS FOR RECOGNIZING THIS MONTH IS WATER SAFETY MONTH, WHERE KIDS GET OUT OF SCHOOL AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WE WILL ALL BE IN THE WATER SO JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE A VERY HAPPY

AND SAFE SUMMER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

NOW YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> SO SOMEONE MENTIONED LACKO.

SO GREG LEONARD HAS HIS NEW BOOK OUT ABOUT IT AND IF YOUR MEMORY WROTE ABOUT HASTINGS. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, JUST CAME OUT AND IT'S BEEN READING REALLY WELL.

IT REALLY DOES AFFECT OUR COUNTY SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU CHAIR, I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THE MEMORIAL DAY WILL BE AT ST. AUGUSTINE NATIONAL CEMETERY, OBVIOUS THE THE VETERANS COUNCIL ALWAYS DOES A FANTASTIC JOB.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO ATTEND. WE HAD THE DAY OFF BECAUSE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HONOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO ATTEND THE MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY OUT IN ST. AUGUSTINE

[06:10:02]

NATIONAL CEMETERY. THE SECOND THING IS COMMISSIONER TAYLOR DIED FROM THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL, WE SET THROUGH THE PRESENTATION FROM THE ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHILE HIS BOARD, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND NASSAU COUNTY IS CONSIDERING A MORATORIUM.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT PART OF HIS PRESENTATION, THE PART OF THE PRESENTATION THAT REALLY LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON ME, WAS THAT THE DATA CENTERS THAT THEY ARE BUILDING NOW, IN MANY CASES, ARE NOT USING ANY WATER.

MR. LARSON, WOULD YOU PUT THE SLIDE -- SO WELL -- IN YEARS PAST, DATA CENTERS CONSUME A LOT OF WATER, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND I SAT THROUGH PRESENTATION WHICH SORT OF INFORMED AND EDUCATED US THAT DATA CENTERS ARE USING NO WATER, NOT ONE DROP OF WATER. THEY ARE USING COOLANT, SIMILAR TO WHAT MIGHT BE IN YOUR CARS THAT WOULD KEEP YOUR ENGINE SCHOOL. SO IT IS A SYNTHETIC, IT IS A CHEMICAL, IT IS NOT WATER. COMMISSIONER MURPHY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS DID A GREAT JOB, WAS A POST UP ON ST. AUGUSTINE NEWS ABOUT A PARCEL THAT WAS BEING CLEAR-CUT AND EVERY RESIDENT COMMENTING ON THAT ST. AUGUSTINE NEWS POST WAS OBSOLETE SURE THEY HAD RUBBER-STAMPED ANOTHER THOUSAND HOUSES AND WE APPROVED ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT.

MR. MURPHY DID A GREAT JOB INTENTLY SAYING I CONTACTED THE LANDOWNER, THEY ARE CLEARING THIS PARCEL BECAUSE IT WAS PLANTED -- IT IS A TREE FARM, ESSENTIALLY.

THEY'RE CUTTING DOWN THE TREES AND THEY WILL PLANT MORE AND CUT THEM DOWN AND ANOTHER TEN YEARS, HAVE A NICE DAY.

JUST SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT.

HE MUST HAVE DONE THAT 30 TO 40 TIMES AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT JUST GETTING FACTS OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO I SAW THIS POST THAT SAYS IT WAS A WELL-ESTABLISHED FACT THAT THESE AI DATA CENTERS ARE CONSUMING A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF WATER AND POWER. NO WE STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN A REPORT BACK FROM OUR STAFF ABOUT BUT THIS HIGHLIGHTS ONE OF THE REASONS IT WAS NOT READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A POLICY DECISION WITHOUT COLLECTING THE FACTS. BECAUSE TWO DAYS AFTER WE HAD OUR LAST COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND I WERE IN THE ROOM WHERE WE LEARNED THAT NOT ONE DROP OF WATER IS USED IN THE DATA CENTERS THAT THEY ARE BUILDING NOW. WHAT ELSE DON'T WE KNOW? WHAT OTHER FACTS ABOUT DATA CENTERS DON'T WE HAVE? SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED.

IF YOU SEE IT ON FACEBOOK, IT IS PROBABLY NOT TRUE.

YOU MAY WANT TO CALL SOMEBODY WHO DOES IT FOR A LIVING.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU NOW HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THINK YOU SO MUCH. AND THAT MEETING WAS VERY INTERESTING, LEARNING ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS A CONCERN KNOW, IS THE ELECTRICITY THAT IS REQUIRED. THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO A NEIGHBORHOOD OF 100,000 HOMES. THAT IS THEIR SIGNIFICANT, THAT IS VERY CONCERNING. ALSO, ON OPEN ANYONE HEARD BUT THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS, THERE WAS ONE IN GEORGIA WHERE THEY GO TO TURN ON THE WATER, THERE IS SO LITTLE WATER COMING OUT OF THE FAUCET BECAUSE OF A NEARBY DATACENTRE.

SO THAT IS JUST WHERE SOME OF THESE CONCERNS ARE GOING.

IN THE KNOW THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY HEARD A LOT REGARDING WATER CONSERVATION, ARE STILL UNDER CONSERVATION? SO I WOULD LOVE FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, WHEN SHE DOES HER COMMENTS, IF SHE COULD MAYBE ADDRESS THAT.

I HAVE PEOPLE COMMENTING ALL THE TIME ABOUT ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND THAT. THERE IS A BIG CONCERN REGARDING OUR AQUIFER AND OUR WATER. AND ALSO, IF JOEY ANDREWS, IF YOU COULD GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROJECT AS WELL, I HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF EMAILS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE AREA WITH THE PROPERTIES THERE.

THE ONES OWNED BY THE COUNTY. THAT WILL DO IT.

AND I WISH EVERYBODY A WONDERFUL AND HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY.

>> THANK YOU. I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SAFE MEMORIAL DAY. I JUST HAVE ONE THING.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER THAT MAJOR MOD, 202511, THE GOLF WAY CENTER PUD THAT WE LISTENED TO TWO WEEKS AGO. THERE WAS SOME INFORMATION THAT I WAS NOT PRIVY TO AND I HAD THE CHANCE TO GO BACK AND DIGEST AND LOOK AT THE PCA DECISION. AND IT WAS A 7-0 DECISION FROM THE PCA TO APPROVE. AND WE DISAPPROVED AND GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT SOME OF THE DECISIONS ABOUT THE WETLANDS GAVE ME PAUSE TO THINK. AND I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A SECOND.

[06:15:01]

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> MR. COMMANDO, CAN HE BRING THAT BACK WITHOUT AN ACTUAL REASON WHY HE SAW SOMETHING DIFFERENT? OR WHAT IT IS SPECIFICALLY? OR CAN HE JUST RANDOMLY BRING IT

BACK? >> ANY TIME YOU HAVE MOTION TO RECONSIDER, YOU SHOULD HAVE A REASON, A MATERIAL CHANGE FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS EITHER NOT CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD OR THAT YOU FEEL WAS BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION AFTERWARDS.

I COULD BE THE BASIS FOR THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IF YOU HAVE

QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAIR. >> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> SO WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU SAW THAT YOU WANT TO BRING IT

BACK FOR? >> I WENT BACK AND I WATCHED THE PCA HEARING AND ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAD WAS THE WETLANDS. AND REALIZING THESE WETLANDS ARE NOT REAL. THE WETLANDS OR DEGRADED WETLANDS, I REALIZED IT WAS PROBABLY THE PLANS THAT THEY WANTED TO DO IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A BETTER USE OF WATER TO RECHARGE THAN SOMETHING THAT IS NOT WETLANDS ANYMORE.

I THINK ECOLOGICALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK AND DO SOME MORE

HOMEWORK ON THAT. >> THAT IS NOT A BIG CHANGE BECAUSE THEY WERE RATED FIVE. THEY WEREN'T RATED ZERO.

WHAT IS THE CHANGE? IS THERE A SPECIFIC CHANGE? THAT IS NOT REALLY A CHANGE. I'M NOT TRYING TO BE RUDE, I'M JUST SAYING -- FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS, I TRIED TO DO THIS ALSO.

BUT I HAD TO HAVE A REASON. >> THAT IS THE REASON.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THESE WERE VIABLE WETLANDS AND THAT MADE A MAJOR DECISION FOR ME. GOING BACK AND RECONSIDERING SOME OF THE INFORMATION, I REALIZE THAT THEY ARE NOT MAJOR WETLANDS, THEY HAD BEEN DRAINED FOR 40 YEARS.

>> I SAW THE SAME PRESENTATION AND THEY WERE RATED A FIVE.

MR. COMMANDO, IS THAT ENOUGH OF A REASON TO BRING IT BACK? IF SO, THAT IS UP TO HIM. I DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT IS ENOUGH BECAUSE THEY DID RATED AND WE HAD THAT ONE WETLAND GUY WHO WAS VERY THOROUGH. HAVE YOU GONE OUT THERE TO LOOK

AT IT? >> I DIDN'T.

>> YOU WALKED AROUND? >> I DID, I WENT AROUND THERE

AND WALKED AROUND. >> DID YOU TAKE A PICTURE?

>> WE WILL NEED PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT. >> ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE BOARD? LET'S HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT MOTION.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT MOTION REGARDING -- WAS THE NAME OF IT? GOLF WAY?

>> TOM GEORGE. IKE'S PLANE TO Y'ALL BEFORE, WETLANDS AND RECHARGE AREAS HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 30 TO 60,000 YEARS. THEY COME, THEY GO.

THEY COME, THEY GO. THIS ONE MIGHT SUPPLY THIS AREA AND THAT MIGHT FILL UP AND GO TO THAT AREA.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, IF SOMETHING IS 30-60000 YEARS OLD, IT IS -- COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU, MOTHER NATURE DON'T LIE.

IF IT IS THE WETLANDS, IT WILL ALWAYS BE A WETLANDS.

IF IT IS A RECHARGE AREA, WILL ALWAYS BE RECHARGE AREA.

YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE WATER ON THE GROUND, BUT YOU DIG DOWN THERE, YOU WILL FIND WATER GOING INTO THE WETLAND.

INSIDE AND FEEDING INTO THE UNCONSOLIDATED FORT MASON AS SUPPLIED IN THE WELLS. YOU CAN WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. BY NOW WE ARE IN A MAJOR DROUGHT. AND I WAS NOT THE TIME TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE WETLANDS, PERIOD.

THAT IS COMMON SENSE. WHERE I LIVE AT ON PART OF MY PROPERTY, I CAN DIG DOWN 8 FEET. AFTER A HURRICANE, I DON'T HAVE ANY WATER. OKAY? BUT IF YOU GO 300 FEET FURTHER DOWN THE HILL ON MY PROPERTY, THE WATER IS COMING OUT OF THE GROUND.

FLOWING. WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY GOOD HURRICANES, WE HAVEN'T BEEN GETTING RAIN.

WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS YOU HAVE TO JUST LOOK AT HOW OLD AND WHAT THE HYDRAULIC CYCLE DOES WITH THESE WETLANDS.

JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE DRY -- THAT IS JUST ONE MOMENT IN 30,000 YEARS. YOU CANNOT JUST MAKE A DECISION LIKE THAT. PEOPLE MAKE THESE KINDS OF DECISIONS ARE PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT GREW UP IN THE EARTH, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WETLANDS, IT IS NOTHING BUT FINE, FINE SAND.

[06:20:07]

THERE IS NO CONSOLIDATION, THERE'S NOTHING.

AND WHEN IT DOES RAIN, SUCKS IT UP.

AND THAT IS WHY I DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKE A TRUE DECISION ON WHETHER THAT -- I HAD NEVER HEARD UNTIL LAST WEEK ABOUT RAIDING THE WETLAND. AT ANY RATE A WETLAND WHEN THEY ARE 30,000 YEARS OLD? I MEAN, NOT IN OUR LIFETIME, WE CAN'T DO THAT. AND I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE IN THE OTHER DISTRICT AND THEY ARE -- BACK POCKETS.

JUST KEEP THAT IN CONSIDERATION FROM SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN DIGGING HOLES FOR 55 YEARS. THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT

WETLANDS -- >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS GOOD TO SEE Y'ALL HERE, DIDN'T EXPECT BE COMING UP TO SPEAK ABOUT ANYTHING TODAY AFTER ALL THAT.

BUT WE DO HAVE TO VELTMAN PROBLEMS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

>> YOU CAN STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

>> MY NAME IS DEBRA COOK, PROTECTED ADDRESS.

WE DO HAVE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENTS GOING IN.

AND AS YOU KNOW, MANY OF YOU DO, THIS PARTICULAR ONE, FOR MY UNDERSTANDING IS ONE WHERE THAT MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE AREA HAS HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT. AND THAT DESTROYED WETLAND IS NO LONGER THERE ANYMORE BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS BUILT AROUND IT.

BUT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IS PUT I BUT I'M A BIG ADVOCATE FOR, WE NEED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE RULES AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO WITH ALL OF THIS BOAT WE NEED BUSINESSES AND THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD OFFICE BUILDINGS WHICH BRING BUSINESS REVENUE.

WE ONLY GET 87% COMING FROM OUR RESIDENTIAL, 13 FROM EVERYTHING ELSE. WE NEED MORE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HERE. AND IF WE CAN TAKE DESTROYED WETLANDS AND PUT BUSINESSES THERE AND MAYBE GET CITIBANK OR OTHER PEOPLE TO COME IN AND START GENERATING SOME REVENUE SEE YOU GUYS AREN'T HURT AS MUCH, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT. WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE, I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE NOT SEEN THE FULL PRESENTATION, I DON'T KNOW ALL DETAILS OF IT.

YOU GUYS HAVE. SO I KIND OF HAVE TO DEFER TO THE BOARD ON THIS. WHAT I'M SAYING IS IF WE HAVE DESTROYED WETLANDS THAT CAN BE TURNED INTO SOMETHING THAT WILL GENERATE REVENUE TO SOLVE OUR INFO STRUCTURE PROBLEMS, WE SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER IT. NOT GOING FIND SOMEWHERE THAT ALREADY HAS GOOD WETLANDS, REZONE IT, DESTROY THOSE WETLANDS OR DESTROY FARMLAND AND PUT SOMETHING THERE.

IS AN AREA AROUND GOLF VILLAGE WHICH, LET'S BE REAL, IT HAS ALREADY BEEN WIPED OUT. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GO BACKWARDS AND UNWIND THE CLOCK. BUT CERTAINLY, WE CAN STOP IT FROM HAPPENING IN THE SOUTH OF OUR COUNTY.

I JUST WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK, TAKE A PAUSE AND SAY LOOK, MAYBE COMMISSIONER MURPHY MADE A MISTAKE, HE WENT BACK AND LOOKED, REALIZE THE INFORMATION WAS WRONG AND HAS COME BACK AND IS ASKING FOR RECONSIDERATION. BECAUSE IT WASN'T REAL WETLANDS THAT WAS DESTROYED, YOU MISUNDERSTOOD.

THAT IS THE CASE, I DON'T KNOW. I'M NOT IN HIS MIND.

BUT TO RECONSIDER SOMETHING EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE DOES NOT MEAN YOU WERE PRO-OR ANTI-ANYTHING.

IT MEANS YOU'RE LOOKING AT A PROJECT.

AND WE DO NEED BUSINESS DEVELOP IT IN THIS COMMUNITY, WHEN YOU BADLY. I HAVE 40 SECONDS, I WILL TELL YOU I'M GLAD, COMMISSIONER, THE BROUGHT UP AI DATA CENTERS THAT AREN'T USING WATER AND AREN'T USING ELECTRICITY.

I HAVE TALKED TO PEOPLE RUNNING FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE, I'M NOT PRO DATACENTRE THE WAY THEY ARE NOW, BUT AT SOME POINT WHEN THEY ARE NOT ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPACTING US AND NOT HARMING OUR COMMUNITIES, WE NEED BUSINESS REVENUE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

WE NEED TO FIGURE THAT OUT, YOU GUYS NEED TO FIGURE THAT OUT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE IT. IF YOU WANT TO BE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY, NEED 40% OF OUR REVENUE COMING FROM BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. YOU TELL ME WHAT THOSE BUSINESSES ARE AND WHERE WE CAN PUT THEM.

RIGHT NOW IN MY MIND, DATA CENTERS BY SQUARE FOOT, HIGHEST RETURN BY SQUARE FOOT WITHOUT SERVICE NECESSARY.

IT'S COMING, THANKS. GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> HELLO, CHARLIE HUNT, MILL CREEK ESTATE.

YEAH,, THOSE WETLANDS WERE DESTROYED, INTENTIONALLY TO WATER THE COWS THERE ARE OUT THERE.

I KNOW THAT MR. ALAN ROBERTS WAS A BIG GUY WHO HAD WATER AT THAT PROPERTY OUT THERE, OWNED A LOT OF THE WORLD GULF VILLAGE PROPERTIES AND WORLD COMMERCE PROPERTIES AND ALL THAT OUT THERE. BUT... YEAH,.

A COMPASSIONATE FEELING, BUT IF MAN INTENTIONALLY DESTROYED IT, THEN WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND CHANGE IT.

IT IS SOMEBODY ELSE'S FAULT, IT IS NOT OURS.

THEY DESTROYED IT SO WE CAN GO AHEAD AND PAVE OVER IT.

YOU KNOW? I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS

[06:25:01]

COMPASSIONATE OR JUST FEELS BAD OR WHAT.

BUT, YES,, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO DESTROYED IT.

WHY DON'T WE MAKE THEM FIX IT AND THEN MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN? AND IT WILL NOT CHANGE, BECAUSE THAT WHOLE BAND OF LAKES, WHEN NOT GOING AND GOT PAST, IT WAS ALREADY IN THE PLANS FOR 15 YEARS BEFORE IT REALLY GOT GOING IN THAT AREA. SO WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, WE KNOW WHO IS INVOLVED, I KNOW WHO WAS INVOLVED IN IT AND EVERYTHING AND THAT IS WHY IT IS A COMPELLING ISSUE OF FEELING BAD ON A DECISION THAT -- DOES THIS DEAL WITH THE COUNTY? DOES THIS OPEN THE DOOR UP AND SAY LET ME GO BACK AND LET'S LOOK AT THESE WETLANDS, SEE HOW BAD THEY ARE.

MAYBE THEY'RE NOT SO BAD OR MAYBE THIS WILL OPEN THE DOOR WIDER WHEN THEY CROSS TO AWAY AND YOU KNOW BECAUSE EVERYBODY WANTS TO MAKE MONEY OUT THATAWAY THERE WETLANDS OVER THERE.

SO I TRY TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT BUT ALSO HAVE A BAD HABIT OF LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD. AND IF WE FEEL COMPELLED TO GO BACK AND SAY IT'S JUST THAT LITTLE PIECE OF PATCH LAND RIGHT THERE, A COUPLE ACRES, I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE IT IS AN ETHICAL ISSUE WE ARE HAVING HERE IN THE COUNTY OF SAYING WHAT IS BAD AND WHAT IS GOOD.

HOW BAD IS IT? HOW GOOD IS IT? CAN IT BE REFURBISHED? CAN IT NOT? AND IT JUST BE PAVED OVER AND MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY? NO. IT WON'T.

AND IT WON'T BE -- IT'LL BE A GOOD ISSUE TO SEE IF HE GETS OVERTURNED. THANK YOU.

>> IT IS GOOD AFTERNOON. THE THINGS YOU LEARN AT 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON. I MISSED ALL THIS WHEN I HAD TO LEAVE TO GO TO OTHER MEETINGS. BUT... Y'ALL HAVE A LOT OF HOMEWORK TO DO ON EVERYTHING THAT COMES BEFORE YOU.

JUST LIKE WE DO. AND YOU HAVE ACCESS THAT WE DON'T. AND THE GENTLEMAN THAT SPOKE, MR. COOK, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE THE LAST TIME.

AND HE COULD HAVE MADE EVERYTHING CLEAR TO YOU OR HELP YOU GET EVERYTHING CLEAR IN YOUR MINDS.

BECAUSE HOPEFULLY, -- HOPEFULLY, WHEN YOU VOTE, YOU HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT. YOU TALKED WITH PEOPLE BEFORE YOU COME TO THESE MEETINGS. AND MR. COOK SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THE AGENDA AND IF HE HAD A CONCERN, ON DO YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET HERE, YOU CAN'T ALWAYS STAY, WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS.

THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL BE A 3-2 OR A 4-1. BECAUSE I SEE THESE VOTES COMING IN HERE. AND THIS IS NOT RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE FOR THAT MEETING AND MADE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO YOU AND YOU VOTED ON THE INFORMATION YOU HAD.

I'M SORRY IF YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE STOPPED IT THEN. AND SAY LET'S PUT THIS ON ANOTHER AGENDA, I DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS YET.

SO PLEASE, DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN.

AND I'M TALKING TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LEFT HERE AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE BROUGHT UP.

I KNOW YOU HAVE YOUR SCHEDULE FOR AFTER THE AGENDA, TO SPEAK ON THESE THINGS. AND THAT IS WHY WE DON'T KNOW A LOT OF STUFF. SO PLEASE DON'T LET THIS GO THROUGH. AND IF YOU VOTE AGAINST IT,