The St. Augustine Beach City Commission is mulling the purchase a 0.1-acre vacant lot on the north side of 7th Street, west of A1A Beach Boulevard, to protect a large oak tree.
The plot is owned by HVG Properties and is being offered to the city for $400,000.
The tree was first protected when the city approved a conditional use permit for five lots on the street in 2019, allowing MSB Hotels to build residential homes in a commercial zone.
The permit required the tree to remain untouched during construction, with barriers installed to prevent damage, and no equipment stored on the lot.
In a recent proposal, realtor Rich O’Brien, a former mayor of St. Augustine Beach, suggested the city purchase Lot 7 to ensure the oak is preserved for the remainder of its life.
While the tree is already protected under the 2019 preservation agreement, city officials are considering buying the lot to ensure long-term control.
That would allow the city to guarantee the tree’s protection during any future development, address any damage from nearby construction, and decide how the lot is used once the tree eventually dies.
In a memo, city staff note that the lot could be used as a park, buffer, or conservation area, though its small size limits potential long-term uses.
Before making a decision, staff recommend confirming the preservation agreement remains in effect, assessing the tree’s health and likely lifespan through an arborist, and obtaining an independent appraisal.
If the tree is unhealthy or the city determines purchase is not in the public interest, the agreement could be rescinded, and the original conditional use permit amended to allow development.
Commissioners are expected to review the proposal at a meeting Monday evening.
