A bill that would give the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind power to take over land without owners' permission has been pulled from the state Senate, but St. Augustine residents still worry.

The eminent domain bill had already passed the Florida House, but this week Sen. John Thrasher removed the bill until the school and the city of St. Augustine could come to an agreement.

"We would prefer not to have eminent domain by the School for the Deaf and the Blind apply anywhere within the municipal boundaries of the city, and to the extent that we can accomplish that, I think everyone will be happy," city attorney Ron Brown said Friday.

School officials are working to assure residents near the campus they're not looking to take any property anytime soon.

"We currently do not have anything within our five-year plan," said Miki Gilloon, of FSDB.

But with the issue unresolved, at least one resident on Alfred Street is concerned about keeping the property that's been in his family for five generations.

"With all of us defending the country, I don't understand why I have to come back and defend keeping my home," Stephen Alexander said.

The St. Augustine City Council will gather Monday afternoon to discuss the issues at hand and go over a proposed agreement from the school. On Thursday, the school's board of trustees will hold an emergency meeting to update what's going on with eminent domain.

Both meetings are open to the public.