Neighborhood asks for legal fee donations to fight 7-Eleven

They tell Historic City News it ain’t over! According to an update from its Vice President, Melinda Rakoncay, the members of the Nelmar Terrace Neighborhood Association have created a legal fund to continue their fight to stop 7-Eleven from building a convenience store complex at the intersection of San Marco Avenue and May Street.

If constructed, plans for the store at 179 San Marco Avenue in St Augustine include a dozen gasoline pumps and a retail convenience store with food, beer, and wine sales. When talks with the Florida Department of Transportation in Lake City stalled, the residents voted to hire a land use attorney and proceed with filing an appeal of the building permit issued by the City of St Augustine’s Planning and Building Department.

“We are not giving up on the state for support; however, David Birchim told us that we have the option to appeal when he issued the permit on September 9, 2014,” Rakoncay told reporters this weekend. “In order to exercise that option, the appeal must be filed by October 9, 2014”

The Association has consulted with two land use attorneys who have successfully represented other homeowners. While nothing is ever guaranteed, Rakoncay says they attorneys have told the residents that they have a good case.

The Nelmar Terrace Neighborhood Association Board members, who have each been working very hard on this, and would not waste precious time or money if we did not feel our case is winnable:

Matt Shaffer, President
Melinda Rakoncay, Vice President
Nancy Barnes Huppert, Secretary
Skip Hutton Treasurer, Treasurer
Jeanette, Booth, Sergeant at Arms

“Many people from across the city have been urging us to file an appeal, so now is the time for you who have opposed this construction to help us raise the legal funds needed to fight it,’ Rakoncay pled. “Realistically, we need to raise at least $5,000 to see this through on the city level.”

“We have chosen Jane West, a land use attorney at 201 Owens Avenue on Anastasia Island”, Rakoncay told local reporters. “We feel she will best represent us in the appeal, as well as in any potential legal complaint that would be filed with the City concerning the City staff decision to issue a building permit to 7-Eleven.”

Rakoncay thanked Fullerwood Park resident Gina Burrell for her generous donation of $500 to start the campaign, as well as all those who have attended the rallies and have already donated. She asks that Historic City News readers consider a $100 donation, although any amount you can afford is gladly accepted. Checks can be made to Nelmar Terrace Neighborhood Association (put “for legal fund” on check) and mail to Melinda Rakoncay, 86 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084.