Proposals to privatize two alleys in the Lighthouse Park neighborhood were rejected by St. Augustine City Commissioners, by votes of 4-1 and 3-2 at the last two City Commission meetings (June 10 and June 24).
The landgrabbing proposals were opposed by neigbhors (and me), and never reported in the St. Augustine Record.
The process is called "vacation" -- the City has in the past allowed landowners to take over City-owned alleys, without just compensation to the City. The vacated land goes on the tax rolls, but no sale of the land -- the process is a giveaway to favored landowners, and a stench in the nostrils of our City.
The votes on the two Lighthouse Park alleys end the practice of giving away alleys.
One alley provides public access to Little Beach. The vote was 4-1 on June 10, affirming a vote 22 years ago, where opponents included the late musician Gamble Rogers (for whom a state park is named). His eloquent words were before Commissioners when they denied hte application.
The other alley was sought for a for-profit preschool's retention pond; the vote was 3-2: instead there will be a revocable license from the City to the landowner.
The vote will have the effect of saving the neighborhood from expansion of a nonconforming use, while saving two 200 year old oak trees.
Democracy is on the march in St. Augustine.
Once upon a time in St. Augustine, Commissioners voted in lockstep, and disrespected residents.
Today, our Commissioners think for themselves, ask good questions, and listen.
Vive le differance!
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