Vilano residents press St. Johns County commissioners over RV park, traffic and evacuation risks

Dozens of residents from Vilano and North Beach pressed the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners on April 7, saying rapid development and a large oceanfront RV/campground are creating serious traffic, emergency-access and quality-of-life risks.

Satchel Martin, speaking during the general public‑comment period, told the board the county’s growth‑management and code‑enforcement systems “are not effectively planning ahead” and said short‑term rentals and unregistered rental businesses are straining streets and services. “Residents cannot often leave their driveways…we fear we will not be able to get an ambulance,” Martin said.

Multiple speakers said the project being built by DLP (described in public comments as an oceanfront RV/campground) appears to depart from the PUD under which it was originally approved. A representative of North Beach community groups and other speakers cited legal limits on park models that stay in place for long periods and said the developer’s current work includes larger foundations and construction not matching the ‘natural environment campground’ they expected.

Mary Sullivan and other residents described overflowing beach parking, vehicles blocking bike lanes and narrow local roads that can delay emergency responders. “Fire trucks, ambulances and other first responders are not being able to pass through quickly,” Sullivan said, asking the commission to prioritize enforcement and traffic planning.

Commissioner Taylor and others acknowledged the concerns and asked staff and county legal counsel for clarification. Mike Robertson, director of Growth and Management, said the earlier ordinance approving the Beachcomber RV campground authorized 170 RV units and that staff had processed three minor modifications since the original approval. County counsel told the board there is currently no legal mechanism to unilaterally revoke the ordinance that authorized the development.

Commissioners offered short‑term responses: Commissioner Arnold proposed follow‑up actions including a town hall with the sheriff’s office and Public Works to discuss enforcement and traffic mitigation; Commissioner Joseph requested staff provide the current construction and civil site plans and urged development of an immediate traffic plan, including whether a Life Flight landing or cordoned area can be arranged in emergencies. Commissioners also noted state law limits on local regulation of short‑term rentals and bed‑tax uses.

Residents urged a moratorium until a master plan for the A1A corridor (from Alano to the south end of North Beach) is drafted, and repeatedly asked the board to bring the project “back under your authority.” Legal counsel and staff told the board the project’s ordinance entitles the property as currently approved and that the county does not have a mechanism to re‑license the PUD approval back before a later board without specific legal grounds.

What’s next: commissioners committed to follow up with the sheriff and Public Works, to schedule a community meeting in Vilano to discuss short‑term enforcement and traffic options, and to deliver to the board the developer’s current site and construction plans for review. No new formal action or vote reversing approvals was recorded at the meeting.

The board accepted proclamations and approved the consent agenda earlier in the session; those motions were unrelated to the development debate and passed unanimously.