St. Johns County has proposed a series of amendments to the Land Development Code. The County will be holding a public workshop on July 7, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. in the first floor conference room of the Permit Center building at 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084. This post is not intended to provide an exhaustive review of all of the proposed amendments; but, instead, highlights some of the major changes being proposed.
Rural Industry: This amendment would allow Rural Industry via a special use permit in the OR and CR zoning districts. Examples of Rural Industry uses are gardening, lawn care and landscaping businesses. The proposed amendment would place certain limitations on Rural Industry. These include, but are not limited to:
- It must be accessory to a single family dwelling occupied by the owner manager;
- In the OR zoning district, the Rural Industry must be on no less than a five (5) acre parcel; and
- There are certain requirements for ancillary structures.
Special Events Venue: This amendment would allow Special Events Venue uses via a special use permit in the OR, CN, CG, CR, CW, and IW zoning districts and as a right in the TCMU, CHT, and CI zoning districts. Examples of Special Event Venue uses are weddings, family reunions and company retreats. The proposed amendment would place certain limitations on this use whether it is permitted by special use or as a right. These include, but are not limited to:
- In the OR zoning district, the Special Events Venue must be on no less than a five (5) acre parcel;
- The outdoor activities are limited to weekends only;
- There are specific provisions for signage, parking, setbacks, and screening;
- An application for a Special Events Venue will be prepared; and
- There are provisions for certain exemptions, such as temporary events.
Access: This amendment would prescribe certain access requirements for new residential developments. The primary purpose is to ensure that emergency services can be provided to these developments, as well as to alleviate traffic and congestion. The general requirements are as follows:
- All new residential developments with more than 200 dwelling units shall provide a secondary access;
- All new residential developments of more than 600 dwelling units shall provide a tertiary access;
- Certain variations may be granted when a secondary or tertiary access is not possible.
Fence Height Measurement: An amendment to fence height measurement is proposed to clarify how the height is measured when a fence, wall or hedge is located above a retaining wall or berm. The amendment provides that the height shall not exceed eight (8) feet as measured within a distance of five (5) feet from both sides of the fence. Also, the fence, wall or hedge must not obstruct the view of approaching traffic.
Additional Amendments: A number of other amendments have also been prepared for discussion at the workshop. Examples of these include increased fines for unpermitted tree removal, changes to outdoor firing range provisions in accordance with state law, and clarification of the standard of review for zoning variances. There will also be opportunity for public comment on Food Trucks and potentially expanding these types of uses by Special Use to other zoning designations.
