ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. John County’s Board of Commissioners reconsidered and denied the agricultural enclave status of the Heritage East and West Developments on Monday.
This denial came after the county commissioners previously approved the plans’ statuses in August.
Commissioners Joseph, Taylor, and Arnold voted “Yes,” meaning they wanted the development’s agricultural status to be denied.
Commissioners Murphy and Whitehurst voted “No,” meaning they did not want the development’s status denied.
This is notable as District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst asked Heritage East & West’s previous enclave status approval to be reconsidered during a September 15th meeting.
That request led to a testy exchange with Commissioner Krista Joseph, who unsuccessfully tried to get Whitehurst censured.
“Basically you’re wasting our team’s time, our staff time and the commissioners’ time!” said Joseph.
“I appreciate you announcing to the world that you didn’t listen to a single word that I just uttered. Thank you,” Whitehurst rebutted in frustration.
We keep mentioning an agricultural enclave—what is it?
It’s a new Florida law that accelerates the timeline for developers looking to convert rural areas into residential or commercial spaces. The certification allows builders to hasten land development by skipping the county’s typical rezoning process.
County residents inside the county auditorium were vehemently opposed to the developments.
“Our children are watching the decision that you’re making,” said a local mom bouncing her toddler at the public comment podium.
“It doesn’t belong. It doesn’t meet the criteria,” said another resident.
The development’s lawyer requested that the board take no action, and then unsuccessfully argued: “On procedural grounds, we don’t believe that this board has the authority to reconsider this application after it was already approved.”
This is the third planned development whose agricultural enclave status failed.
Action News Jax told you earlier this month that the North Palm Valley development’s agricultural enclave status failed to pass as well.
We’re waiting to hear back from the county about what Heritage East & West’s future looks like following the board vote.
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