St. Johns County is considering a challenge to a new law that could lead to the development of local agricultural land. The law, which took effect last month, eases the process for landowners to build single-family residential developments on agricultural land adjacent to already-developed land.
County Response
In response to the law, the county has received applications for the development of over 6,000 acres of agricultural land. The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hear applications for six proposed developments enabled by the law on August 19.
County Commission Chair Clay Murphy stated that the county is at a critical point and wants to determine whether a legal challenge against the law would be worth the time and effort. Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst questioned the county’s legal standing, with Whitehurst expressing concern that challenging the law may not be a good strategy.
The bill, Senate Bill 686, passed the Legislature overwhelmingly, with all of St. Johns County’s representatives in Tallahassee voting in favor. The County Commission has instructed its staff to look into fighting the law, with a decision expected at the next meeting on August 18.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
