St. Johns County Farmland to Housing | Jacksonville News

St. Johns County is facing a major land-use shift as a new state law lets farmers turn up to 6,500 acres of farmland into housing—with six big proposals already in the pipeline. The law, which took effect July 1, fast-tracks development on agricultural land already surrounded by urban areas, sparking debate: supporters see it as a lifeline for farmers, while critics fear unchecked sprawl and lost rural character. The largest proposal, 4,400 acres from Winn-Dixie and Nocatee, plus others near I-95, SR 207, and World Golf Village, are under review. County staff have 30 days to assess compliance, followed by a public hearing and final Commission approval—with the law forcing officials to treat the land as if it’s already zoned for homes. A special meeting is set for August 19 to kick off the discussion. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/18f25aa6c6462da0