[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6673219,"mediaKeyId","2109135-4f7ba380269e1f7f0ea94c35dfe8e733","parentId",2109135,"title","Commission authorizes staff to continue negotiations on May Street marshland after public support and questions over appraisal","audioSeconds",1954,"startMs",4947000,"endMs",6901000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109135-4f7ba380269e1f7f0ea94c35dfe8e733&start=4947&end=6901","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109135-4f7ba380269e1f7f0ea94c35dfe8e733/thumbnail_4947000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6673219/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/Commission-authorizes-staff-to-continue-negotiations-on-May-Street-marshland-after-public-support-and-questions-over-appraisal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673219-b71a3c00e6223befe93453ff52dcda13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153568&Signature=LK8JpEhAUUTCyS1Qtht3QDY3F9L0qDg0KhDzbERef1jNVua0B-dbYFqeFE2wwh9YpzZj1RZuej55nOsUqf8JSB0UUsR2mttVykr2xaEUO7lUAo-qkiaWLTv7M7RRxW4WEEIZYbVq0G-~YsfkYpD-k0iKVlhHY5D4o5hegXIT5E6YG6iMDYDWDYp24-kSsyJOjxogLX6KUsk9tYirxohsUO51mXth2cvXIEm5hetPZfGuSYixDFGlQG-g2M2tJPECTLErRUyFnZfYPqLJYFJQ~1GxLrkTwhhdqruFsX1UGStrFhzDr4kSW-pV~a7Go1mjXgMfcRfZhxonIE7aFvAWyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Augustine","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","The City Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to continue negotiations with the owner of a 1.18‑acre parcel on the south side of May Street next to Hospital Creek rather than immediately approve a purchase at the owner’s asking price.

Staff said the property had been ranked for conservation and that an appraisal had been completed; the property owner offered $1,300,000. Because the conservation program had been structured to buy properties at appraised value, staff brought the parcel forward as a standalone real‑estate purchase for the commission to consider.

Why it matters: The site sits at a key entry point to St. Augustine, offers deep‑water access to Hospital Creek and, if preserved, would protect a marsh vista at one of the city’s gateways. Supporters urged purchase to preserve green space and add potential public access such as a non‑motorized boat launch. Opponents and some commissioners said paying above appraisal risks depleting city reserves and asked staff to try to negotiate the price down or return with additional financial detail.

Public comment and community views
Multiple residents who live near the property or who use Hospital Creek addressed the commission in favor of purchase. Speakers included Scott York, Roger Van Dusen, James Carr, Melinda Ricansaye and Brad Beach; they urged the city to preserve the environmentally fragile parcel, cited recreational benefits (kayak/paddle access and vistas) and noted that the site is a visible entry to the city from Vilano Beach.

Staff presentation and fiscal context
Assistant City Manager Ruben Franklin reviewed the procurement path and told the commission the appraisal had been completed and that Mr. Van Dyke had offered $1,300,000. Franklin said the property had been the highest‑ranked conservation parcel in a prior staff evaluation. He also said the city has roughly $3,000,000 in unrestricted general‑fund reserves that could be used for the purchase; using that balance for this and two other conservation parcels discussed earlier would reduce reserves substantially, though staff noted the city has pursued grant reimbursement in prior conservation purchases and could seek similar reimbursements for eligible properties.

Legal and site issues
Commissioners asked about access and potential development scenarios. Staff said May Street is a Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) facility and any new driveway or vehicle access from May Street would require DOT permitting; the city also controls a south‑side right of way on San Carlos Avenue. Staff noted a pending suit involving the city and some property owners on Hospital Creek related to docks; that litigation did not prevent the commission from considering a purchase.

Owner comment
Property owner Kevin Van Dyke addressed the commission and said he believed the appraisal undervalued the site because it assessed the property as residential and did not account for commercial and entry‑way value; he asked the commission to consider his asking price and argued the parcel’s strategic location justified the figure.

Commission action and outcome
Commissioners expressed a range of views. Several said they support acquiring the property for conservation and city entryway purposes but cautioned against paying significantly above an appraisal without further negotiation or a clearer long‑term stewardship plan (maintenance, access, staffing and potential costs for a park or launch). After discussion the commission voted to authorize the city manager to continue negotiations with the owner rather than adopt the purchase resolution as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Next steps
Staff were directed to continue discussions with the property owner and return with updated terms and financial details if negotiations produce an offer acceptable to the city. Commissioners and staff said they will also evaluate grant opportunities and stewardship obligations before a final purchase decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Augustine - City Commission - Jan 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to continue negotiations with the owner of a 1.18‑acre parcel on the south side of May Street next to Hospital Creek rather than immediately approve a purchase at the owner’s asking price.","taxTitle","St. Augustine, St. Johns County , Florida","taxId",4620,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6673224,"St. Joseph Academy annexed; commission approves land‑use and rezoning ordinances, advances PUD super‑majority change",1158,2177000,3335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109135-4f7ba380269e1f7f0ea94c35dfe8e733&start=2177&end=3335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109135-4f7ba380269e1f7f0ea94c35dfe8e733/thumbnail_2177000.jpg","/articles/6673224/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/St-Joseph-Academy-annexed-commission-approves-landuse-and-rezoning-ordinances-advances-PUD-supermajority-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673224-f86500536e4eead9060b3cc8ecc4cd3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153568&Signature=M5k30QWI6~M3kMBxLOMofm2V~h6YE1wJOFy4EiJMlSPXAD7NZWOEu3-Wh4x80o1IsaGhP~3ynXRWs~vzZvqybCE1TBhUQyHJWbe27YEQJaBXfC7RbCQWBDpbi6GxYDcLqR4ialoMdZSZuFCqsvaOiHZkroOLpxsh40Ig26~vx5-9fI-1yKfTTC-NTaCbH-PBKZVCrNf9gOr4oWWHl5FwlXZv36m-ZUNHJDCQLYfpAnbsn8vy4D5uyI3OhmRsMNFfOBXWhNmYjNTV0fWNYDwa9c2CDt2xrShO-rPN-OdJqr1DnKboLFMUdpF7LezCf9zO~uzZszBEtiywCtXV5t9WbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of St. Augustine voted unanimously Tuesday to annex roughly 39.8 acres that include the St. Joseph Academy campus into the city and to adopt matching future‑land‑use and rezoning changes for the property.

The annexation (Ordinance 2024‑01), the future‑land‑use amendment from St. Johns County Residential D to the city’s institutional category (Ordinance 2024‑02), and the rezoning from St. Johns County RS‑3/OR to the city’s Open Land (OL) zoning (Ordinance 2024‑03) all passed on second reading after the city’s planning director summarized the staff recommendation and the Planning & Zoning Board’s earlier action.

Why it matters: The city manager and staff said the move is intended to regularize municipal services and liability for campus security and to align public‑safety coverage with other locally served schools. The property is tax‑exempt as a church‑owned school and will remain so, but the commission and staff said the annexation removes legal awkwardness that existed when city police provided security outside the city limits.

Planning staff presentation and public comment
Amy Skinner, the city’s director of Planning and Building, told the commission the three items were related and had been recommended by the planning board after staff obtained corrected surveys and legal descriptions. The items had already cleared first reading in February 2024.

Three members of the public who live near the campus spoke during the public hearing. Melinda Ricansaye asked detailed financial questions about whether the city would absorb additional infrastructure or service costs because the property is tax‑exempt; BJ Kaledi and others asked whether the school is connected to city utilities and whether routine services (trash, water, fire fees) or special events (fireworks) would change after annexation. Staff answered that the campus is already on city water and sewer, that the city will collect a fire fee for service, and that the school will enter into a contract for police security now that the campus lies within city limits.

Commission action and vote
Commissioners voted by roll call on each ordinance. The clerk recorded unanimous votes in favor for Ordinances 2024‑01, 2024‑02 and 2024‑03. The mayor noted the items had a prior first reading and that the annexation would make it easier for the city to provide police security without the liability concerns raised by having an officer assigned outside the city boundaries.

First reading: PUD super‑majority ordinance
The commission also held extended debate on Ordinance 2025‑01, a first reading ordinance that would change the city code to require a super‑majority vote to establish or amend Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). City Attorney (on the record) explained how a super‑majority formula (a simple majority plus one) would play out when the commission has absences or recusals: when the commission is down to three members, a super‑majority requirement could effectively require unanimity of the three.

Commissioners divided on the policy and precedent. Supporters, including the mayor, said PUDs can substantially change community character and that a higher voting threshold would give the city more leverage to secure public benefits and protect neighborhoods. Critics warned a super‑majority requirement could be gamed by a single commissioner or discourage applicants from choosing the PUD route, which can allow negotiated public benefits that standard rezoning does not. Several commissioners asked staff to return with additional process clarifications and suggested administrative changes—comparative public‑benefit tables, clearer application summaries and tiering of PUD types—so the planning board and public can better evaluate tradeoffs.

The ordinance passed on first reading and was set for a public hearing and second reading at a later meeting; staff indicated the change will go to the Planning & Zoning Board for review of both the voting change and the related process clarifications.

What’s next
The annexation, future‑land‑use change and rezoning are effective following the city's usual second‑reading procedures. The PUD super‑majority ordinance will return for a public hearing and final action after Planning & Zoning Board review of the proposed code changes and related administrative improvements.","The City Commission of St. Augustine voted unanimously Tuesday to annex roughly 39.8 acres that include the St. Joseph Academy campus into the city and to adopt matching future‑land‑use and rezoning changes for the property.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission authorizes staff to continue negotiations on May Street marshland after public support and questions over appraisal

St. Joseph Academy annexed; commission approves land‑use and rezoning ordinances, advances PUD super‑majority change