Last week, a pitch to Marsh Creek homeowners offered the prospect of annexing and developing a barren 14-acre ICW island on the backyard of homes along Herons Nest Lane, and building 10-12 new homes, each with dock rights, coupled with the promise to the community of a separate marina with 30-40 residents-only boat slips (price not disclosed) and a community pavilion with washrooms. If the community approves, the project developer predicted it could be a reality in as little as 18 months.

The proposal came from Scott Patrou, a local attorney who says he grew up in Marsh Creek and now wishes to return as the owner of one of those aforementioned plots.  He is the son-in-law of developer and Marsh Creek resident, Brad Runk, who in February 2024 made a similar community outreach defending a project to build a large boat and vehicle storage site on 10 acres of land at the corner of Mizell Road and 16^th Street. That idea drew massive Marsh Creek and Commodore Club push-back, resulting in the City of St. Augustine mediating a potential sale of the property to a land conservation group, and the project has stalled.

Patrou said he “came across the property”, and in his research spotted the vacant lot on Fiddlers (actually on Herons Nest Lane), which could provide possible road access to the island. During Wednesday’s initial information meeting, Patrou did not lay out a detailed plan for the regulatory hurdles he will face with St. Johns County, the St. Johns River Water Management District, or the State of Florida, assuming he wins support of two-thirds of Marsh Creek homeowners.  

Mr. Petrou does not own the island nor the vacant lot on Herons Nest Lane, but said he has contractual options on both and 18 months to back out.

The project would require building a 50-foot-wide road through the vacant lot on Herons Nest Lane across to the island using a combination of bulkheads and a bridge that would allow for water flow. Each new home would face the Intracoastal, each lot would be 250 deep. Patrou said the new lots, priced between $1.7 – $2 million each, would be 1500-2000 feet away from existing homes on Herons Nest Lane. He acknowledged there would be a disruption when dirt-bearing construction trucks begin rumbling through the neighborhood, perhaps damaging existing roads.  

Pros for Marsh Creek?

• A community marina with resident-only floating boat slips (no price set), limited parking, and an entertainment pavilion with washrooms.
• A “multi-million-dollar community investment someone else pays for” – Scott Patrou
• “No increase in HOA fees” – Scott Patrou

Concerns for Marsh Creek?

• Road damage, increased traffic, a change to the view and tranquility experienced by marsh-side homes
• (Add your own)

In summing up, Patrou said: “This is private land and something is going to go there. Is this, access to water, something the neighborhood wants?”

He hopes it does, and is looking for a community vote by February.