St. Augustine officials want to strip outdated commercial and office zoning from Fish Island, a picturesque 54-acre natural preserve between the Matanzas River and State Road 312.
City officials say the change will align the zoning with the verdant expanse’s intended use as protected public space.
The city is moving to place the upland areas of Fish Island under Government Use zoning, which is typically reserved for public parks, preserves, and civic land.
The property, commonly known as Fish Island Preserve, was purchased by the state in 2019, with the City of St. Augustine agreeing to manage it the following year.
The preserve includes wide swathes of sensitive upland habitats and natural areas that city leaders want to protect for conservation.
A small, 2.68-acre parcel in the middle of the preserve that was previously privately owned has also been acquired by the city.
The zoning update would cover the entire site, closing a gap in protections and making the zoning consistent across all parcels.
The Planning and Zoning Board reviewed the proposal in October and recommended approval.
The City Commission passed the measure on first reading in January and is now scheduled for a second reading and public hearing later this month.
