St. Augustine City Commission approves zoning changes for new fire station and land use

The St. Augustine City Commission convened on July 14, 2025, to discuss several key ordinances and resolutions aimed at amending land use and zoning designations, as well as establishing a proposed millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year.

The meeting began with a motion to advance Ordinance 2025-12, which seeks to amend the future land use map for a 0.14-acre property located at 241 West King Street. The ordinance proposes changing the designation from "City of St. Augustine Commercial Medium Intensity" to "Public." The motion was unanimously approved by the commission.

Following this, the commission moved to Ordinance 2025-13, which rezones the same property from "Commercial Medium 2" to "Government Use." This ordinance also passed unanimously, with commissioners noting that it aligns with the city's plans for the area.

Next on the agenda were Ordinances 2025-14 and 2025-15, which pertain to a 1.27-acre property at 500 Anastasia Boulevard. Ordinance 2025-14 proposes a change in land use from "Commercial Low Intensity" to "Public," while Ordinance 2025-15 seeks to rezone the property from "Commercial Low 2" to "Government Use." These changes are intended to facilitate the relocation of the existing island fire station and the construction of a new facility that includes community space. Both ordinances were introduced and passed for further consideration.

The commission also addressed Ordinance 2025-16, which amends the city code to designate an administrative authority for plat and replat submissions, in compliance with new state law. This change removes the requirement for public hearings in the platting process, a move that raised concerns among some commissioners regarding transparency and public input. Despite these concerns, the ordinance was approved.

In addition, the commission discussed Resolution 2025-26, which designates the Planning and Building Director as the administrative authority for plat submissions, a necessary step following the changes mandated by state law. This resolution was also passed.

Lastly, the commission reviewed Resolution 2025-25, which establishes a proposed millage rate of 7.5 mills for the fiscal year 2026 budget. This rate remains unchanged from previous years, and the commission emphasized the importance of public participation in the budget process. The resolution was approved unanimously.

The meeting concluded with a report on the upcoming Knights of Lights event, signaling the city's ongoing commitment to community engagement and festive celebrations. Overall, the session highlighted significant developments in land use planning and fiscal management for St. Augustine.