St. Augustine is taking measures to protect its roughly 30 acres of city-owned conservation lands. The City Commission has advanced a measure that would change the city’s charter to require a unanimous vote to remove a parcel’s protection.
Unanimous Vote Requirement
This means that all five members of the City Commission would have to agree to remove the conservation designation from a tract of land or to significantly develop a property. Previously, only a three-vote majority was required.
The measure was brought forward by Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder, who emphasized the importance of preserving the city’s natural areas for future generations. Several speakers supporting the measure referenced the 2024 protests against proposed development in Anastasia State Park, which was ultimately scrapped.
In addition to St. Augustine’s land protections, the St. Johns County Commission will discuss funding for its Land Acquisition and Management Program. The program’s funding has been inconsistent in recent years, and the county is considering adding a ballot measure to issue bonds to fund it.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
