St. Augustine City Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance Monday making it more difficult to modify city-owned conservation lands.
Commissioners will now have to unanimously agree if they want to approve a more “intense” use of parcels acquired for conservation, or reduce their size. The vote comes as overdevelopment and sprawl continue to be one of the most salient issues in St. Johns County.
Commissioners noted that the measure only affects city-owned lands, meaning it will affect a relatively small number of parcels, but every resident who spoke on the measure voiced support.
The ordinance also makes clear distinctions between more intense uses and upgrades to trails, signage and park facilities, which are permitted.
STAR Circulator Expansion
Community Services Director Jaime Perkins briefed commissioners on plans to expand the St. Augustine Rider (STAR) Circulator, the city’s free bus service.
After a successful pilot phase, officials now want STAR to run 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Four vehicles will operate on the 1.5-hour loop, with service every 30 minutes.
The program is funded with $1.5 million disbursed by the Florida Department of Transportation and $100,000 from the county’s Tourist Development Council.
The circulator will remain free to riders but will not operate during Nights of Lights because the extreme congestion makes it impractical.
Mill Rate
The commission advanced an unchanged 7.5 mill rate for the coming fiscal year, reflecting the consensus reached at the July 13 special meeting.
The rollback rate would be 7.2385, but keeping the 7.5 rate will generate an additional $996,725 in revenue over the next year.
A public hearing to approve the mill rate is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 5:05 p.m.
Estimates vary, but according to Zillow, the median home value in St. Augustine is currently $418,000. At that value, a 7.5-mill rate would amount to roughly $2,750 in annual city property taxes after homestead exemptions.
Horse-drawn Carriage Debate Continues
Commissioners approved new rules last month allowing horse-drawn carriage tour operators to continue operating in St. Augustine, but that did not stop several animal welfare activists from continuing to fiercely protest the practice, which they compared to “slavery” and “forced labor.”
Responding to one activist’s sharp criticism, Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline warned the speaker she would gavel her down for making slanderous remarks, which is against the rules of public comment.
Christina Lammers of Coastal Carriages also addressed commissioners to request the city lift its 30-day suspension of her company. Officials say they issued the suspension because the company did not follow proper quarantine protocols.
Lammers claimed she believed she had followed the rules in place, and said the suspension had resulted in extreme hardship for her and her husband. She told commissioners she cares deeply for her horses, and that sharing St. Augustine’s history has been the highlight of her career.
All commissioners were physically present Monday with the exception of Jim Springfield, who participated remotely. The next commission meeting is Aug. 24 at 5 p.m.
