County Commissioners Consider seeking Injunction Against State’s “agricultural enclave” law as Blockbuster Rezoning Hearing Looms

St. Johns County Commissioners are considering filing a lawsuit seeking an injunction against SB 686, a new state law making it more difficult for local governments to reject certain types of developments.

The commission discussed the county’s legal options at length during its regular Aug. 4 meeting. Commissioners Krista Joseph and Ann Taylor were most strongly in favor of litigation, while Commission Chair Clay Murphy expressed hesitation, worrying that litigation could be fruitless and costly.

The board ultimately directed staff to conduct a cost analysis to help better inform its decision, a move Joseph called “disappointing.”

The discussion came just two weeks before the commission will consider a rezoning request for a 4,462-acre property between Nocatee and the Intracoastal Waterway, where developers are asking permission to build one house per acre.

That proposed development is one of six that have been filed in St. Johns County seeking to use SB 686, which was sponsored by Rep. Stan McClain, a homebuilder from Ocala. The law establishes a list of criteria that designates parcels as “agricultural enclaves,” with qualifying properties entitled to a hearing within 60 days.

McClain argued the law encourages infill by incentivizing development near other properties that are already developed, but opponents say it erodes local control and will create a leapfrog effect that fast-tracks sprawl.

To comply with the law’s 60-day timeline, commissioners will hold a hearing on the 4,462-acre rezoning request on Aug. 19.

Knives out for Arnold and Whitehurst
For a second consecutive meeting, numerous residents took the podium to call for the resignations of Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst, who have been charged over their role in distributing fake voter guides in the 2024 election. Those calling for their resignations included the heads of both the county GOP and the Republican Liberty Caucus.

The two charged commissioners were present, unlike the previous meeting, where they participated remotely. The pressure came not only from constituents, but from the dais as well, with Taylor directly asking Whitehurst if he planned to resign.

“Will you do the right thing and step down as our constituents have asked?” Taylor asked.

Whitehurst declined to answer, instead using his closing remarks to suggest Murphy should resign from the canvassing board because he had publicly supported U.S. Rep. Randy Fine’s special election campaign last year in violation of rules requiring canvassing board members to remain neutral.

Murphy called his Facebook post backing Fine a “grievous error,” but argued he was the only commissioner qualified to serve on the canvassing board. Joseph admonished Whitehurst for what she said were his efforts to distract from his charges.