A downsized development proposal for 205 new single-family homes was unanimously rejected this week by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners amid vocal public opposition.
Residents turned out in force at Tuesday’s meeting to urge commissioners to deny approval, arguing that the project was incompatible with the area’s rural character and would worsen traffic and other quality-of-life issues.
The project was originally conceived as a much larger 2,800-home development, along with 385,000 square feet of commercial space.
The Planning and Zoning Agency recommended denial of that earlier version in April, sending Jacksonville-based developer Aegis Gibson LLC back to the drawing board.
Rebranded from Water Lily to Tocoi River Estates, the proposal was significantly scaled back in an effort to ease opposition.
The developer emphasized that 90% of the 1,000-acre tract would remain undeveloped and scrapped the commercial component entirely.
But despite the changes, residents again voiced their displeasure at Tuesday’s meeting.
The PZA unanimously recommended denial of the revised plan, and the Board of County Commissioners concurred.
The property is located about 15 miles west of the I-95 interchange with County Road 207 and approximately 13 miles north of Hastings.
