ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County officials unanimously approved a new measure that will require developers to pay for land conservation, marking the latest development in the county’s ongoing efforts to modify impact fees.
The conservation fee, which received final approval Tuesday, will apply to residential and hotel-motel developments. The funds will be used to purchase land for conservation and open space throughout the county.
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“It’s about time that the developers start footing their bill for their impact to our community,” County Commissioner Krista Joseph said before the measure was approved.
The initiative came as the county grapples with significant environmental changes. According to Global Forest Watch, St. Johns County lost 40% of its tree canopy over a 20-year period starting in 2001.
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St. Johns County Growth Management Director Mike Roberson explained the scope of the new fee: “This would be applied to any residential as well as hotel-motel development. Whether it be a single family or a large development or a hotel or motel, you would be charged a conservation fee.”
The county plans to implement the fee gradually over four years, starting at 50% of the full amount and increasing by 12.5% annually over the following four years.
Currently, more than 30% of St. Johns County is protected from development. The county manages these areas through its Land Acquisition Management Program, which allows the county to bid on properties for sale.
However, Commissioner Joseph noted challenges with the existing program, stating: “The land acquisition plan has not had a good acquisition since 2018. The Genovar piece is probably the last big conservation open space that we did. We just don’t have enough money in there from the taxpayer to pay for that.”
According to LAMP a list of properties includes more recent acquisitions. Below is a list:
1. Vilano Beach Oceanfront Park - 2007
2. Fort Mose Historic State Park - 2003
3. Bailey Ranch Preserve - 2025
4. Nease Beachfront Park - 2004
5. Beluthahatchee Park - 2006
6. Don Manuel Road Preservation Tract - 2024
7. Mussallem Beachfront Park - 2006
8. East Creek Island Preserve - 2025
9. Vaill Point Park - 2001
10. Canopy Shores Park - 2005
11. Anastasia Island Saltmarsh Preservation - 2024
12. Alpine Groves Park - 2000
13. Southeast Intracoastal Waterway Park - 2000
Before 2022, the Land Acquisition and Management Program (LAMP) acquired properties with help from the DEP Florida Communities Trust Program.
Since 2022, LAMP properties have been acquired through a mix of local, state, and federal grant programs.
You can see a full list of properties and dates they were acquired by going to the LAMP acquisition map.
According to Roberson, any land purchased through this program could include parking lots for public access. The conservation fund is part of a larger impact fee schedule modification that will be voted on Tuesday and, if approved, will take effect in 2026.