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ew Bill Would Give FSDB in St. Augustine the Power of Eminent Domain | firstcoastnews.com
A bill before the Florida legislature could give the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine the power of eminent domain, which enables the school to buy any property it wants without the owner's consent.
The school is surrounded by historic neighborhoods and on one side, along San Marco Avenue, a commercial area.
George Gardner, who lives just a block away from the FSDB and is a former St. Augustine mayor, is concerned he and his neighbors could lose their homes years from now at the school's whim.
A few years ago, the FSDB renovated a building on the edge of campus on Nelmar Avenue next to homes. However, the school did not abide by city codes, which angered some neighbors.
But the current St. Augustine mayor, Joe Boles, said because FSDB is a state school, it does not have to abide city codes.
"We'd like for them to cooperate and be respectful of our codes as it impacts the adjacent neighborhood," Boles said.
The school and city are in mediation about that.
In Tallahassee, Rep. Bill Proctor supports a bill which would give the FSDB the power of eminent domain.
But Gardner said the representative is not representing all of the people of St. Augustine with this bill, and St. Augustine city commissioner Leanna Freeman questions why eminent domain would be necessary for a school whose enrollment is on the decline.
Boles pointed out that every state school has the power of eminent domain, except for the FSDB.
However, those who oppose the move say the school in St. Augustine should be the exception.
"We are not talking about the University of Florida," Gardner said.
"We are not talking about other districts and other areas with their situations. We're talking about a school that is hemmed in by a city, a small city which is also a national treasure."
Boles is not necessarily opposed to the eminent domain bill.
"We still are going to want (FSDB) to comply with our codes and ordinances... just so they'll be good partners and good neighbors."
However, Gardner is not sure about the school's track record.
"If the Florida School would work out, in mediation with us, respect for our city codes and show us some indication they want to be part of the city and not the 500 pound gorilla...then we would feel a lot more comfortable..."
FSDB President Danny Hutto declined an interview with First Coast News. The school's spokesperson said he would not talk about the eminent domain issue while the school is in mediation with the city.
A bill before the Florida legislature could give the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine the power of eminent domain, which enables the school to buy any property it wants without the owner's consent.
The school is surrounded by historic neighborhoods and on one side, along San Marco Avenue, a commercial area.
George Gardner, who lives just a block away from the FSDB and is a former St. Augustine mayor, is concerned he and his neighbors could lose their homes years from now at the school's whim.
A few years ago, the FSDB renovated a building on the edge of campus on Nelmar Avenue next to homes. However, the school did not abide by city codes, which angered some neighbors.
But the current St. Augustine mayor, Joe Boles, said because FSDB is a state school, it does not have to abide city codes.
"We'd like for them to cooperate and be respectful of our codes as it impacts the adjacent neighborhood," Boles said.
The school and city are in mediation about that.
In Tallahassee, Rep. Bill Proctor supports a bill which would give the FSDB the power of eminent domain.
But Gardner said the representative is not representing all of the people of St. Augustine with this bill, and St. Augustine city commissioner Leanna Freeman questions why eminent domain would be necessary for a school whose enrollment is on the decline.
Boles pointed out that every state school has the power of eminent domain, except for the FSDB.
However, those who oppose the move say the school in St. Augustine should be the exception.
"We are not talking about the University of Florida," Gardner said.
"We are not talking about other districts and other areas with their situations. We're talking about a school that is hemmed in by a city, a small city which is also a national treasure."
Boles is not necessarily opposed to the eminent domain bill.
"We still are going to want (FSDB) to comply with our codes and ordinances... just so they'll be good partners and good neighbors."
However, Gardner is not sure about the school's track record.
"If the Florida School would work out, in mediation with us, respect for our city codes and show us some indication they want to be part of the city and not the 500 pound gorilla...then we would feel a lot more comfortable..."
FSDB President Danny Hutto declined an interview with First Coast News. The school's spokesperson said he would not talk about the eminent domain issue while the school is in mediation with the city.
