I recommend reading the attached notices from the county planning and zoning which is requesting the county to allow changes to the current zoning on the property just east of I-95 known as Cumberland Park.
Request to rezone from Planned Special Development and Open Rural to Planned Unit Development in order to add uses such as vehicle recycling, materials recycling, offices, etc., application number MAJMOD 2011-07 WR Townsend.
Now, from what I've been able to research based on aerial photographs from google maps, it looks like this property owner has already been using the land as a trash pit, sorry, vehicle recycling area, hidden behind the trees. I'll let you decide if you would like to attend the meetings and voice your opinion about having a vehicle junkyard located what is going to be known as Twin Creeks PUD and other local businesses in the future.
A public workshop on the proposed Interstate 95/Florida 9B Interchange will be held by the Florida Department of Transportation from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Courtyard by Marriott at 14402 Old St. Augustine Road, followed by an open comment period at 6:30 p.m.
The free workshop will allow residents and area business owners to review proposed plans for the planned segment of Florida 9B that would extend from Philips Highway to I-95 in Jacksonville to link County, Florida. This link is needed to satisfy the traffic demand from development and rapid population growth in the southeastern Jacksonville area.
The workshop format allows visitors to talk to department staff, ask questions and submit written comments.
The School Board had a special meeting this morning to approve the advertisement for the upcoming zoning. All the plans are posted on the district website, http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us , under What's New. The following plans were approved for advertisement in advance of a final vote on the matter on November 8.
Elementary L - the new school being built in the Palencia area: Plan F. In addition to the core area of all plans and some areas to the north, this plan pulls students from Ketterlinus Elementary, freeing space there for one geocode from R. B. Hunt, which is overcrowded.
Other Growth Areas Northeast - divides Nocatee to move the northern section from Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Rawlings Elementary to Ocean Palms Elementary.
Other Growth Areas Northwest: There are several parts to this zoning.
Plan G was chosen to give relief to Durbin Creek Elementary and Fruit Cove Middle School. It moves geocode 044104 and Sawmill Point in Julington Creek Plantation from Durbin Creek Elementary to Julington Creek Elementary. No changes are made in the middle and high school zoning of these areas. It moves Durbin Crossing South to Hickory Creek Elementary and Switzerland Point Middle and moves Aberdeen from Fruit Cove Middle to Switzerland Point Middle. No changes are made to high school zoning in this area. It also moves on area from Timberlin Creek Elementary to Hickory Creek Elementary. Every effort will be made to work with the developer of Durbin Crossing to construct that community's K-8 school at the earliest possible date.
The Orangedale region is rezoned from Nease to Bartram Trail. In addition. Glen St. Johns is rezoned from Nease High to Bartram Trail. I have requested that any student who is currently enrolled at a particular high school (regardless of their grade) be given the option to finish high school in their current school if they provide their own transportation. This choice will be offered to current students only and is not open to younger siblings or new students who move in next year.
Again, the final vote on these plans will be taken at the November School Board meeting.
I want to thank everyone for being so engaged in the process, for providing comments, and for crafting alternate plans. Many of the ideas were incorporated in the plans that are now advertised. I realize that many people are disappointed and many are relieved. Zoning always creates these types of reactions. The School Board is endeavoring to select the plan that will provide the relief we need at overcrowded schools and utilize space at schools where it is available.
Parent Resource Guide
The Parent Resource Guide, which provides a wealth of information on everything from lunch prices, graduation requirements (which are different depending on when a student begins 9th grade), the various course paths through middle and high school, to lists and descriptions of academy offerings and much, much more. The Guide can be found on the district website, www.stjohns.k12.fl.us, under Parents at the bottom of the homepage. I encourage everyone to explore the information contained there to get answers to questions you may have concerning our schools.
Superintendent's State of the Schools Address
On Monday, October 17, Dr. Joyner will share his annual State of the Schools Address. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 PM followed by the presentation at 6:30 PM. It will be held at the School District offices, 40 Orange Street, St. Augustine. I hope many of you will be able to attend.
Veterans Sunset Celebration
Mark you calendars for the 3rd Annual Veterans Sunset Celebration to be held at Veterans Park on Veterans Expressway on November 10. The event hours are 5:30-8:30 PM and will include entertainment from Hickory Creek Elementary Chorus, Fruit Cove Middle School Jazz Band, and presentation of colors by the Bartram Trail Air Force ROTC. Food, a bounce house, and military displays will be featured. I especially encourage all our local veterans to attend so that we may thank you for your service to our country.
Thank you as always for your commitment to public education. Our schools are great because of involved parents, teachers, and staff like you!
Helping Hands of St. Johns County will meet on Friday, October 28th at 11 AM at Faith Community Church Community Center. This months project are Christmas trees for Hospice. . The group will be decorating small 2-3 ft. Christmas trees for patients in Hospice care. This will the third year the group has presented Community Hospice and Peds the beautiful decorated trees. Anyone wishing to donate a small tree or decorations may contact
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or bring them to the meeting on the 28th. The Rippers from Sew Much Comfort will meet at 10. They are still retrofitting clothes for our wounded military and are in need of new size medium t-shirts (good quality) woven boxer shorts. (no knits please), and pajama bottoms. These fine men and women have lost limbs and enjoy being in regular clothes vs. hospital garb as they get treatment and rehabilitation.
The Stocking for a Soldier project is well underway, thanks to the help of Winn Dixie 210, First Florida Credit Union, St. Michaels Soldiers and many neighborhood groups, churches, and its members. Stockings are still available at Winn Dixie210, Our Lady of Angels Catholic bookstore in Mandarin, Cadillac/Saab dealer in Orange Park and First Florida Credit Union210 or by emailing
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, They must be returned to any of the above establishments by November 1st. so our armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan get them for Christmas. Members of Helping Hands purchased 250 stockings through a Walmart grant and 300 more were cut and sewn by members. Helping Hands is grateful for the community support it has received from everyone. They are working on making this a Happy Holiday for our guys and gals fighting to keep us safe. Stockings may be filled with snacks or toiletries and have a card and suggested list of items inside. or you may go to www.stmiachaelssoldiers.com website for items needed.
In October the group stamped, cut out and decorated Halloween Trick or Treat bags for the homeless children at Sulzbacher center and our seniors at Trout Creek. Children's bags were filled with candy, healthy treats, juice boxes and toys donated by Burger King 210.and Publix 210, The seniors received candy and special gifts.
Helping Hands is a volunteer organization that meets once a month on last Friday, (except for November and December) at 11AM at Faith Community Church Community Center on CR210 next to Cimarrone. The group is non denominational and meets in friendship to do a small project for the community. There are no dues, officers or stress. The group relies solely on donations of goods and services from the community. Anyone is welcome to join and membership is always open. members come when they can and do what they can. Contact
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for more information.
"Friendship is a gift to be shared with others." is the motto of Newcomers of North St. Johns. The club offers many activities during the month. If you are new to our area, come and join us. Please e- mail Sue at
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for membership info.
On Oct. 18, at 11am, at St. Johns Golf & CC, 201 St. Johns Golf Dr., St. Aug., 32092, Newcomers will host an "antique" auction with professional auctioneer Luman E. Beasley. If you can, bring an "antique" for sale with a description of it, where it is from, its age and any other information. It will be auctioned off for you and you keep all the money. Luncheon will begin with a Spring greens salad, then a choice of classic Italian Pasta Primavera OR a Pork Loin with brandy apple demi-glace, asparagus and whipped potatoes, all followed by assorted finger desserts. Beverage, tax and tip are included for $20. There will be a cash bar, raffle and door prizes. All luncheon reservations must be received by Oct. 10th, no refunds.
On Nov. 15, at 11 am, in the Lightner Museum Building, 75 King Street, St. Aug., 32084, (formerly the Hotel Alcazar, built in 1888, in the Spanish Renaissance style) a catered luncheon by A1 A Ale Works Banquet Service will be held in their private dining room, Sala Menendez. To the left of the front entrance, the Sala boasts 12 ft. ceilings, alabaster chandeliers and views of the tropical courtyard. After lunch/meeting, we will walk a half block to the Villa Zorayda Museum, 83 King Street, for a 1 hour docent led tour. The Villa, built in 1883, is 1/10th of a section of the 12th century Moorish Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. The villa boasts many architectural features and amazing antiquities from Egypt and Spain. Diners will choose a blackened Mahi Mahi with a Creole sauce served with rice pilaf and vegetable OR a Mojito-marinated grilled Chicken Breast with ale Gouda sauce and fried onions served with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable. Dessert is Keylime Cheesecake. There will be a cash bar, raffle and door prizes. Lunch with beverage, tax, tip and 'the tour' will be $25. Reserve by Nov. 8th, seating limited to the first 80 people. Please car pool.
Mail all checks with your choice of entree written at the bottom of the check to NNSJ, 884 Eagle Point Dr., St. Aug, FL 32092. For all luncheon information, e-mail Laura at
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. Hope to see you at both events.
