St. Johns County commissioners on Aug. 5 denied REZ 2024-18, a request to rezone about 18.5 acres at 3740 Pacetti Road from Planned Unit Development to Workforce Housing (WH), citing compatibility, traffic and environmental concerns discussed at the hearing.
The Planning and Zoning Agency previously recommended denial by a 4–2 vote. At the BCC hearing the applicant initially proposed up to 63 townhomes, later reducing the conceptual number to between 52 and about 58–60 units after site-plan review; staff and commissioners discussed parking, traffic and wetlands impacts.
Multiple residents spoke against the rezoning, citing neighborhood character, parking, runoff into nearby wetlands and potential effects on property values. Proponents acknowledged the county’s affordable housing needs but differed on whether the workforce housing product, as proposed, would meet those goals. Commissioner discussion touched on traffic studies and student safety at nearby schools.
Motion by Commissioner Sarah Arnold, seconded by Chair Krista Joseph, carried 5–0 to deny REZ 2024-18, Enclave at World Golf (Workforce Housing), based on the five findings of fact provided in the staff report.