Agency approves Marsh and Arrow archery range with conditions including transferable permit and ban on crossbows

The St. Johns County Planning & Zoning Agency approved a special‑use permit for Marsh and Arrow to operate an outdoor archery range on US 1, with the motion passing 5–0.

Jason McKenzie, who described the proposal as a low‑intensity, family‑focused outdoor range, said the project would use roughly 2–3.5 acres with backstop trees, a covered instructional area and parking for lessons and recreational use. "We just see archery as a tool to to really love and reach people more than anything else," McKenzie said, describing a focus on family and youth programming.

Counsel Doug Burnett described recent county action to amend the land‑development code to accommodate archery uses and asked the agency to allow the final order to make the permit transferable. Agency members questioned potential wetland impacts and building height; the applicant said wetland disturbance would be minimal and that the proposed accessory building would comply with county height limits. Members also asked whether crossbows would be permitted; the applicant and counsel agreed to a prohibition, and the agency included a no‑crossbows condition in the approved order. Matovina moved approval with the added transferability and no‑crossbow conditions; Levinowski seconded and the motion passed unanimously.