Residents reveal their vision through survey

By MARK PETTUS
mark.pettus@mystjohnssun.com

The results are in and may be surprising. After two years of research followed by five months of town-hall and neighborhood meetings, St. Johns Vision reported to the County Commission this week what residents see for the future of the county.

New roads, new parks and an increased focus on basic infrastructure made the list, as did some things that are more esoteric.

Each commission district got its own report that reflected the vision of district residents for their area. Those reports contain items that may only be important to residents in the immediate area, for example, improving a specific intersection. Countywide, residents focused more on quality of life issues like parks, recreation and culture.

According to St. Johns Vision Director Bonnie Barnes, 471 people attended the neighborhood meetings to fill out the survey, and another 179 attended one of nine infrastructure forums — a total of 650 people contributed to this vision for the entire county.

Q&A ABOUT THE ST. JOHNS VISION SURVEY:

What is the purpose of this report from St. Johns Vision?

To assist the Board of County Commissioners in determining priority of quality of life and infrastructure needs for St. Johns County.

How did they decide what made each list?

Some of the items were carried over from 2005, when the last survey was taken, and the rest were suggested by residents who attended one of the neighborhood meetings. Participants voted what to put on the list and rated the items’ importance.

Did the items at the top get the most votes or the highest ratings?

A little bit of both. Some top items were very important to a few people, others were slightly important to a lot of people. If 10 people voted for an item and each rated it a “4,” it got the same score as an item that 40 people voted for and gave a “1.”

Is this Vision better than the 2005 Vision?

The goal this time was to reach a larger audience representing more interest groups, a larger geographic area and a more diverse population. St. Johns Vision reached out to elderly, business, civic and neighborhood groups. Barnes says the group made an effort to reach out this time rather than asking people to attend meetings dedicated solely to the visioning process.

Is it more representative?

Maybe not. Barnes says she got a more diverse group this time, but she admits that certain demographics — the elderly, for example — were likely overrepresented, and may have skewed the results of the vision polls. She hopes to be able to compile demographic information at each meeting.

Will the items on the lists now become a reality?

No. Actually building a highway or a performing arts center will require additional action by the commission, and will demand funding that may not be available for years, if ever.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY-WIDE ITEMS:

The following are the top 15 items from the county-wide Vision report.

1:  Expand and improve Council on Aging services to seniors

2:  Construct Florida 9B from Florida 9A to Interstate 95

3:  Protect and purchase open space

4:  Evacuation routes improvement

5:  Enhance public transportation including transportation for seniors

6:  Create hurricane-proof emergency shelters at local schools

7:  Preservation of the aquifer

8:  Underground utilities for all Scenic Highways

9:  Lifeguards for all beaches

10: Establish a countywide cultural arts focus and provide funding

11: Create a north-south wildlife corridor.

12: Fund an 800 mega-hertz interoperable emergency communications system

13: Conference/performance arts center

14: Develop alternative energy sources. Study windmills and solar generators west of I-95

15: Swimming pools

DISTRICT LISTS:

The following are the items for each county district, according to the report.

District 1: The Northwest

1. County Road 210/Interstate 95 interchange improvements

2. Florida 9B Extensions from I-95 to County Road 2209

3.  20 acres of passive parks

4.  A Sheriff’s sub-station with holding cells for the northwest

5.  Improve the Florida 13/Race Track Road intersection

District 2: West Augustine to Hastings

1. West Augustine water, sewer, road and sidewalks

2. Affordable housing that meets area wages

3. West King Street improvements

4. Deep Creek cleaning and resoration to assist in flood mitigation in the Sixteen Mile Creek watershed basin.

5. Extend County Road 305 from Florida 206 to Florida 13/Florida 204

District 3: Crescent Beach and the Southeast

1. (M1) 312 extension from County Road 207 to U.S. 1

2. (M19) Intersection improvements at U.S. 1 and Florida 312

3. Old Moultrie Road improvements, four-lane U.S. 1 to Country Road 207

4. Completion of four-lane Shores Boulevard with sidewalk

5. Entrance lighting at Deltona entrance to the Shores

District 4: Ponte Vedra

1. Mickler Road improvement — left turn lane onto A1A

2. Public area/facility for community activities

3. Ponte Vedra to North Beach sidewalks and street lights

4. Grade separation — County Road 210/U.S. 1

5. Widen Mickler Road to County Road 210

District 5: St. Augustine Beach/Vilano Beach

1. Underground utilities for beautification and less storm repair along Coastal Highway and South Ponte Vedra Boulevard

2. Complete Cultural Center in St. Augustine Beach

3. Complete Surfside Park renovation

4. More efficient lighting along Coastal Highway that conserves energy and is turtle-friendly

5. Lifeguards at Surfside Park