As is now apparent from the previous Spoonbill Courier report detailing overwhelming community opposition to the Hawkins Island development, there is greater wonderment why this project was ever launched in the first place.
One Marsh Creek resident has done some stellar research and produced the PDF below. It is worth looking at.
The collection of slides again depicts aerial views of the neighborhoods in Marsh Creek that would be most adversely affected by the project. They also illustrate the yawning gap to get to Hawkins Island through a vacant lot on Heron’s Nest Lane currently owned by a Marsh Creek resident. The environmental risks would seem to be huge.
St. Johns County, according to this research, currently values Hawkins Island at $12,482. This spit of barren wetland would be overrun by graders and tractors (as would neighboring Marsh Creek) to become the site for 10 to 12 new homes. Each lot would have a price tag between $1.7 and $2 million, turning a tidy profit for the attorney/developer, Scott Patrou. The homes would be worth twice that.
But what is most striking, on page 32, is a clause in St. John County’s Comprehensive Plan for Conservation, that restricts residential development in a conservation area to one unit per 100 acres. The developer wants to build 10-12 homes on a mere 14 acres. Therefore, in order to be successful, the developer will need to go before the St. Johns County Commission to seek rezoning under a planned unit development, or a PUD.
As has been pointed out before, to reach Hawkins Island will require constructing some combination of road, bridge and causeway. But that land, zoned conservation, is owned by the State of Florida. Alongside it is a federal waterway. And so there are an abundance of expensive regulatory hurdles facing this project. But none of these concerns was addressed, and in fact were dismissed as mere details, when Mr. Patrou held his first public meeting attended by the Spoonbill Courier.
As reported on November 10th, “Patrou said he “came across the property”, and in his research spotted the vacant lot on Fiddlers (actually on Herons Nest Lane)….Mr. Patrou 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.”
Is this, and was it ever, a serious project?
You really have to wonder.
Definitely NO on this project!!
“Is this, and was it ever, a serious project?”
Let’s look at past experiences.
The owners & project developers of these properties use a playbook that looks for “cracks” as to what is normal and what are the applicable laws. All in the pursuit of getting a higher valuation of the land.
Wise old adage: “Remember, it’s about the $. It’s always about the $”
If the project goes through, well that’s a home run. If it doesn’t, they still make $.
Why? Because they have boosted the valuation of he land by constantly reminding everyone about the “value” of the project. This presumed valuation is used in the negotiation with the land banks who will purchase the property.
So, maybe not as much as the home run but they still get to move on to the next project.
For example: Fish Island and probably the “man cave”; RV & boat storage facility off Mizell Rd.
Other comments.
Previously, I remarked about the developers’ “Vision” not being Marsh Creeks residents’ desires and aspirations when moving into Marsh Creek.
And how the MC community wants to conserve and preserve our properties. Protect our community from developers with self-serving interests that are directed at upsetting our ability to enjoy the wonderful attributes of Marsh Creek.
Believe me, the residents “Vision” is laser focused on stopping this development. Whether homes OR a fish camp!
So I ask the owner of Hawkins Island, it’s developer, Patrou and others who support this project:
“Have you no shame!”
Is this the legacy you want to have?
Creating contempt and showing hubris with statements like, “Something is going on the island.”
Sowing animosity and opposition among the community.
Creating an unsustainable environment.
Decreasing the value of our homes and the wonderful vistas.
Increasing our community maintenance fees and insurance costs. Noise and congestion.
Being the first one to ask FEMA for assistance when the development gets destroyed by a hurricane?
Look toward your Better Angels. Stop the project now .
Call the land banks and ask to sit down with them to discuss a purchase.
Thank you.
All this is interesting and must be daunting for the developer, but we can shut it down by saying NO to the request to expand Marsh Creek and change a single family home lot to a road.
Brian,
Thank you for spreading the word about this planned development. Our Board is failing to do so, and you have more than filled the gap.
John