June 4 – County Commission meeting

The regular meeting of the St Johns County Board of Commissioners was held Tuesday June 4, 2013, in the County Auditorium in the St Johns County Administration Palace located at 500 San Sebastian View in St Augustine.

The following items of business came before the Board for action:

Proclamations
June 3 – 7, 2013, as Code Enforcement Week

Regular Agenda Item One – Land Development Code Amendments for Articles II – IX
Lindsay Haga, St. Johns County Development Review Director, presented a draft ordinance proposing modifications to eight articles of the land development code. The draft implements recent comprehensive plan amendments regarding drive-in facilities and historic preservation incentives within the Vilano Beach Town Center. In addition, the changes address exemptions, exceptions, and permit consistency. The changes also incorporate modern standards for marine turtle lighting choices and clarify the Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA) terms. The Board approved the next public hearing to occur at the PZA meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on July 18 and the final public hearing to occur at the County Commission meeting at 5:01 p.m. on August 20.

Regular Agenda Item One A – Contract Between St. Johns County and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
This item was previously consent agenda item four. Patrick McCormack, St. Johns County Attorney, presented the Board with a resolution that would renew the contract between the County and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid to provide legal services to indigent persons residing within St. Johns County. The Board adopted the resolution.

Regular Agenda Item Two – Petition to Vacate a Portion of the McLaughlin Addition Plat
Kathy Nielson, St. Johns County Application Review Manager, Development Services Division, presented a request to eliminate 21 nonconforming lots and a section of substandard unopened right-of-way for a total area of 1.4 acres. Known as a partial plat vacation of the McLaughlin Addition, the property is located south of W. King St. and east of Duval St. in St. Augustine. The partial plat vacation will provide one contiguous parcel for the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, which otherwise would be restricted by additional setback requirements from the unopened road. The PZA recommended unanimous approval to the Board at their April 4 meeting. The Board approved a motion to vacate a portion of the McLaughlin Addition plat.

Regular Agenda Item Three – Pope Road Parking Improvement Project
Michael Wanchick, St. Johns County Administrator, discussed the Beach Services proposal to install a designed parking lot at Pope Road beach access. The City of St. Augustine Beach has agreed to enter into a 50% partnership with the County to fund this project. The Board approved a motion to assist in funding the project.

Regular Agenda Item Four – St. Johns County Firefighter Auxiliary Program
Carl Shank, St. Johns County Fire Rescue Chief, announced that St. Johns County Fire Rescue recently introduced an Auxiliary Firefighter Program within the department and discussed the program background, implementation, participant benefits, department benefits, and cost.