Commission moves horse carriages off Bayfront, selects orange route and asks staff to study King Street stand

The St. Augustine City Commission on July 13 voted to revise carriage routes and move horse‑drawn carriages away from the Bayfront to reduce safety and congestion risks stemming from seawall construction and ongoing concerns raised by residents and animal‑welfare groups.

Barb Moore, deputy director of General Services, presented two proposed replacement routes (orange and green), noting staff considerations of shade, access to water and drainage, and tour length. Moore said the routes would be roughly 9,300 to 11,000 feet long and that stakeholders favored a primary pick‑up location at Charlotte and King (Barb Moore). "We're gonna have to move the stand where the passengers are picked up and dropped off," she told commissioners as she outlined both route maps.

Public testimony was split. Operators supported moving off the Bayfront and emphasized logistical needs — shade, water and wide curb space — while animal‑welfare advocates argued that route changes alone will not prevent alleged routine violations such as leaving horses unattended or failing to provide water. "No amount of amending the codes or routes will help the horses... The only law that makes sense would be the one that abolishes this cruel and dangerous industry," Patricia Ramos said during public comment (Patricia Ramos). Operators and some commissioners proposed staging alternatives; Commissioner Springfield and others suggested a stand across from the Casa Monica near Government House might strike a practical balance between visibility and infrastructure.

Action: After discussion, a commissioner moved to adopt Resolution 2026‑10 using the orange route as presented and to direct staff to evaluate the viability of an additional staging area on King Street (near Government House). The motion passed by roll call with unanimous recorded support, and staff was instructed to proceed with installing required infrastructure (water, drainage, signage) and to coordinate with stakeholders and the University of Florida about the potential staging location. The resolution is expected to take effect July 27 to accommodate imminent seawall construction deadlines.

Implementation concerns: Commissioners repeatedly returned to enforcement — both the ability to monitor route compliance and the capacity to enforce watering and work‑period rules. Staff was asked to report back quickly on infrastructure readiness and enforcement staffing needs. The commission also asked staff to bring back a fee schedule and medallion display standards to support enforcement.