During an Aug. 20 meeting, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve appeals to overturn a zoning variance for a community marina at 405 Roscoe Extension. The appeals were filed by residents in the vicinity of the proposed location after the Planning and Zoning Agency approved the zoning variance application on May 16 of this year.
The proposed marina site is east of the Intracoastal Waterway and south of the Palm Valley Bridge, near the boat ramp.
The surrounding property owners cited undue hardship, saying the property was not suitable for a marina. Appeals referenced a 2002 Water Dependent Uses and Marine Study which concluded the property was located within an Aquatic Preserve and shellfish harvesting area. In addition, the appellants introduced concerns to the board including safety issues, overcrowding and an adverse effect to their properties.
Currently, the property north of the Palm Valley Bridge and boat ramp, at 373 South Roscoe Road, has applied for a Major Modification to reinstate an expired PUD that was originally for a “true” marina. The second marina would offer dry storage, retail store, dock master’s storage and restaurant components. The additional aspects of a true marina differ it from a community marina, which is considered less intrusive.
