2 projects proposed for U.S. 1

[Jason]

2 projects proposed for U.S. 1

By PETER GUINTA  |   More by this reporter  |  peter.guinta@staugustine.com  |   Posted: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 ; Updated: 5:53 AM on Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The same Jacksonville developer who built St. Johns Town Center plans to present two zoning applications Thursday that, if approved, would bring hotels, restaurants and other business to sleepy Faver-Dykes Road.

Edmond R. Saoud of First Coast Ventures LLC wants a 269-acre parcel he owns split into two parts, which he is calling Hyde Park.

The application for the larger piece, 179 acres, seeks a recommendation to allow a planned rural development of 37 homes on one-acre lots. The other 90.5 acres Saoud wants as mixed use -- commercial, industrial and office space.

St. Augustine attorney Doug Burnett, of St. Johns Law Group, represents First Coast Ventures and said Hyde Park's main entrance would be on U.S. 1, though two smaller ones would be constructed on Faver-Dykes Road.

"Up and down Florida's coast, development nodes are being built around I-95 intersections," Burnett said, adding that U.S. 1 is the first intersection northbound drivers reach in St. Johns County.

The developer's plan is to have two hotels totaling 175 rooms situated precisely where I-95 drivers can spot them easily.

However, none of a half dozen residents contacted were in favor of the project.

Faver-Dykes resident Elizabeth P. Nauright said the project is clearly urban sprawl.

"There's really no reason for it," she said. "Our concern is that there are over 1,000 tortoise holes (on that property), plus deer, bear, turkey, bobcats and fox."

The developer did set aside 165 acres, 92 percent of the parcel, as a reserve area.

The mixed-use area would contain 295,568 square feet of commercial space, 55,149 square feet of office space, 25 single-family homes and 11 acres of wetlands.

Cindy Jordan of Faver-Dykes Road said the area is a pristine place and contains feeder creeks that flow into Pellicer Creek.

"There are not many places left like this in the area," she said. "It's such a shame and a huge disappointment."

This is the second presentation of Hyde Park to the Planning and Zoning Agency. The first, asking for hundreds of homes, was denied in 2006.

Critics of both projects said the developer will be forced to pay for a 7.5 mile water and sewage pipeline from State Road 206.

Burnett said his client will pay the $8 million necessary to get those lines there.

"That would have a community benefit of having fire hydrants along U.S. 1," he said.

But the county water and sewer would reportedly serve the commercial, or west, side of the property.

The eastern portion would use wells and septic tanks, which worries residents that Pellicer Creek would become contaminated.

Frankie Pacetti, a resident of Pellicer Creek her whole life, said Tuesday night that she's angry at the state for not buying that 200 acres when it had the chance.

"It backs right up to (Faver-Dykes) Park," she said. "The state could have added it to the park."

She said otters and alligators live in the creek, and said she'd spotted four manatees, one a baby, swimming in the creek that day.

She said light and noise pollution from the commercial areas would affect both humans and wildlife.

"I've spent my life trying to keep Pellicer Creek as beautiful and pristine as it is," Pacetti said. "It's peaceful and quiet. And now they want to wreck it."

IF YOU GO

The St. Johns Planning & Zoning Agency meets at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16, in the County Auditorium at the St. Johns Administrative Complex, 500 San Sebastian View.

Source: http://www.staugustine.com/stories/071509/news_1746191.shtml

[Jason]

I'm beginning to wonder if St. Johns county has learned anything at all with regards to development.  This economic downturn and crash of the housing market should have made them rethink the growth and development patterns throught the county and give them time to enact a better growth strategy.  However, it only seems to be a brief waiting period for the madness to begin again.

[fsu813]

People will continue to develop pristine land to make money until someone with balls says "no"

[brainstormer]

^  Right on fsu!  Developers are slowly ruining the natural beauty of this state and if anyone was paying attention, they would see that uncontrolled growth is hurting the state, not helping it.  I hope the residents there stand up and fight hard against this.

[TREE4309]

These projects haven't been approved by the county...there's no need to get your panties in a wad before a decision has even been made that would allow the developer to move forward.  Are you going to the zoning meeting tomorrow?  That's the time and place to raise your concerns.

[stjr]

Wait until St. Johns sees the Outer Beltway being assured.  Urban sprawl will be an unstoppable tidal wave.  Hard to believe this is really what they want to improve their "quality of life".  How misguided.  Will people ever learn from the mistakes of others?