Commission meets tonight: come speak out on Madeira (former Ponce de Leon Golf Course)

Madeira, zoning on tap for City Commission
Posted: February 7, 2016 - 11:47pm | Updated: February 8, 2016 - 3:24am

By SHELDON GARDNER
sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com


The St. Augustine City Commission could reverse its decision to turn down a request for more time for the Madeira community to develop.

A motion to rescind the denial order and set the matter for a third reading and final hearing is on the commission’s agenda tonight. Mayor Nancy Shaver, whose name is attached to the item, declined to discuss why the move was made.

“It’s a matter for the public, the meeting, and that’s why it’s on the agenda,” Shaver told The Record last week.

City Attorney Isabelle Lopez said she is researching the implications of the vote, a 3-2 denial of a request to extend the deadlines for the U.S. 1 North development. Commissioners Todd Neville and Roxanne Horvath voted to allow the extensions.

Commissioners will also consider rescinding an ordinance changing Comprehensive Plan designations of the property. That ordinance was approved at the same meeting.

Madeira, which is more than 1,000 acres, once included the Ponce de Leon Golf Resort and Convention Center. The property was annexed to the city in 2001, and the Madeira Planned Unit Development was approved in 2004 for up to 749 homes. The developer’s attorney said the project was slowed by the recession and litigation, which is why the development is seeking five more years from Jan. 1, 2016, to complete Phases I and III, and five years from Jan. 1, 2018, to complete Phase II.

In other business

n Commissioners will consider whether to name 399 Riberia St. Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park. Commissioner Leanna Freeman said the plan is for the park to open for a kick-off ceremony on Earth Day in April.

n Two zoning ordinances are up for adoption. One would add definitions including dormitory and hostel to zoning codes and add requirements for the uses. Another zoning ordinance would change Planned Unit Development requirements and would, among other things, require additional documents and hearings for PUD applications.

n Changes to the San Marco Hotel PUD will be up for final consideration. The changes include allowing more hotel rooms, more parking spaces and a 2,400-square-foot-increase in the building footprint.

n Commissioners will hear an ordinance to allow alternates on the Historic Architectural Review Board.

n One of the items scheduled tonight will address style guidelines for Anastasia Boulevard. People are interested in Anastasia Boulevard being treated as its own destination, and the “discussion and update on Anastasia Entry Corridor Guidelines” will cover that, Freeman said.

The city has three entry corridors: King Street, San Marco Avenue and Anastasia Boulevard. Freeman said the city is looking to revamp the codes to recognize Anastasia Boulevard’s place as a unique destination. The city plans to hire a consultant for the task.


COMMENT
sponger2 02/08/16 - 07:44 am 40The Commission cowards will cave again.
They always do. Here is a golden opportunity to undo a terrible wrong they did a decade ago by allowing this development in the first place. People were up in arms about it. The people didn't want, and it has been bailed out with public money already. There is enough land there to build another golf course that won't add to the overcrowding of our schools and only marginally increase traffic. Do what WE want for a change. These folks made a bad investment. They gambled and lost. That's the way it goes. If you don't meet your obligations do you think you are going to get a bailout?