Clay County Land Conservation Committee advances four parcels into staff review

The Clay County Land Conservation Committee voted on Tuesday to move four parcels forward for additional staff study and potential conservation action, a step that will let staff prepare full reports and scoring for a future final decision.

Staff member Dodie told the committee that the first parcel, 2020‑61 on Shed Road, encompasses 168.89 acres north of Green Cove Springs and is bisected by Shed Road. She noted wetlands, a vulnerable aquifer recharge area and bald eagle and longleaf pine habitat, and said "staff is recommending approval of that parcel to move forward." Resident Claire Millard of 1515 Shed Road urged "smart development" and supported conservation, while members asked staff to clarify whether the county would pursue a conservation easement or an outright purchase and what restrictions an easement could include. After discussion the committee voted unanimously to advance the Shed Road parcel into the 60‑day information window for a future staff report and ranking.

The second parcel, a roughly 40‑acre portion of a former dairy near Sunrise Farms Road owned by Melvin Fannin, lies adjacent to Jennings State Forest and overlays primary conservation networks in aerials, staff said. Owner Serge attended to describe current recreational and tree‑planting uses, confirm a 30‑foot access easement back to the presented 40 acres, and offer to provide prior wetland delineations. The committee voted to advance the parcel for further study; the chair reported a raise‑of‑hands tally of 7 in favor and 2 opposed. Members who voted no said the site appears largely constrained by wetlands and access issues and suggested pursuing partners or grant funding rather than committing county funds alone.

The committee also considered two smaller parcels owned by Little Bear Properties LLC that abut Black Creek and the Ravines conservation area managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Owner David Pepper told the panel the combined offering is about 26 acres with roughly 1,900 linear feet of river frontage on Black Creek and said he would prefer to sell the land rather than place an easement, calling it "a spectacular piece of property." Staff flagged possible environmental hazards near an adjacent golf course and suggested outreach to the water management district and potential partners. The committee advanced those parcels after a divided vote reported as 6 yes and 3 no; members opposing the motion emphasized access challenges, wetlands, and the need for partner funding.

Finally, the committee reviewed a 104‑acre Gary Road property with two family homes, a three‑acre pond and plantation timber. Linda and David Burkholder, who spoke for that parcel, described timber management, recent vegetation work and plans to coordinate fire‑line work with neighbors. Staff recommended advancing the parcel and the committee voted unanimously to move it into the staff‑research phase.

All four votes were preliminary: each motion advanced a parcel "into the program" for staff to produce a full report, score sheets and recommended next steps, not to approve final acquisition or easement terms. Dodie told the committee staff will return with detailed staff reports and a completed scoring matrix at the July meeting. The committee also received an update on additional pending applications (Thunder Road, Bayard area parcels, Baton Bay Road and a Keystone Heights island parcel) that may proceed on a rolling schedule as ownership complexities are resolved.

Votes at a glance: Shed Road (Parcel 2020‑61) — advanced (unanimous); Sunrise Farms Road (portion ~40 acres) — advanced (7 yes, 2 no); Little Bear parcels (~26 acres) — advanced (6 yes, 3 no); Gary Road (104 acres) — advanced (unanimous).

What happens next: staff will compile wetland delineations, access/legal descriptions, potential easement conditions and partner interest (notably from the St. Johns River Water Management District and local land trusts), publish full staff reports and distribute score sheets to committee members before the July meeting so members can submit scores in advance.

Direct quotes used in this report come from the meeting transcript and are attributed to the speakers who made them. Where numeric or financial details were unclear in the transcript (for example, a listing price referenced by an owner), the article notes the quoted number and clarifies that the transcript did not specify units or context.