Q: Can you comment on the number of temporary business signs that seem to be proliferating NW St. Johns County roadways?
A: According to St. Johns County code, these signs are not permitted — and our code enforcement officials are overwhelmed with calls for service. We ask business owners and residents to only put signs on their own private property in accordance with county code. This will help keep our community as beautiful as we would like it to be and not cluttered with signs.
Q: What can you tell us about the recent approval by the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 16 for the Sandy Creek neighborhood (on County Road 210 East)?
A: This was an interesting approval that was actually requested by the residents of the neighborhood. They asked to switch from light industrial to more single family homes and multifamily units within the Planned Unit Development (PUD). They didn’t want the already permitted light industrial near their homes. Also approved was a second entrance to the community, which will ensure that all 600 present homeowners (and 400 more in the future) will be able to exit their neighborhood at a traffic light. This should improve traffic flow in the neighborhood.
Q: Can you explain the North Florida TPO, of which you were recently named chair?
A: The North Florida Transportation Organization (TPO) provides a way to advocate regionally for transportation infrastructure. It basically amplifies our voices to Tallahassee; when we are asking for state funds, they are more likely to approve the dollars regionally than county-by-county. Representatives from Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties meet 10 times per year with TPO staff and a representative from the Florida Department of Transportation to adjust transportation priorities. It’s always very fluid and we get a lot of input from county governments as well. St. Johns County has two other representatives on the board besides me, one from the City of St. Augustine and one from the Airport Authority. I have served on the North Florida TPO board since I was elected to the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners three years ago. The board meetings are open to the public; visit https://northfloridatpo.com for more information.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Readers can email me at bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us or call me at (904) 584-5348.
