Residents of Fruit Cove Estates are mobilizing ahead of a public meeting this month, as developers seek approval to build a gas station on property adjacent to the St. Johns County neighborhood.
First Coast Energy, the parent company of Daily’s, will host the gathering on Feb. 24 at the St. Johns County Tax Collector’s Office in Julington Creek to present plans to rezone the property along State Road 13.
The parcel is currently designated as residential commercial, and the developer wants to change the classification to community commercial to allow a gas station and car wash.
Residents of the small community — consisting of 44 homes — assert that the current zoning is meant to guard against intensive commercial activity of that sort.
“The proposed gas station and car wash would be located adjacent to single‑family homes and private backyards,” reads a statement on their site. “It is currently zoned Residential B for a reason!”
Residents are especially concerned that the venture would use the neighborhood’s entrance and exit road.
Homeowners say routing that traffic through through their area would cause congestion and create safety issues.
A petition opposing the plan has drawn more than 1,800 signatures.
Objectors assert that newestThe Daily’s push marks the third attempt by First Coast Energy to secure approval for a gas station at the site.
In 2019, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners unanimously rejected a similar request, citing incompatibility with the surrounding area and traffic concerns, among other issues.
Opponents are encouraging residents to attend the 6:30 p.m. meeting on Feb. 24 and to wear red in opposition.
First Coast Energy did not immediately comment on the application.
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