City approves 7-Eleven permit; opposition still strong

Store awaiting FDOT permit approval

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Plans for a 7-Eleven in a St. Augustine that has spurred recent protests are another step closer to becoming a reality.

The city of St. Augustine has approved a permit for the store at San Marco Avenue and May Street, but some people who live in the area aren't happy.

They argue the store would turn an already busy intersection into a dangerous one, causing more traffic and accidents.

Residents said it's already difficult for people to drive in the area, and they believe the store would make it worse. They also said it would be dangerous for kids who would want to go to the store after visiting the nearby park.

It wouldn't be the first 7-Eleven in St. Augustine. One already exists on Route 1 near Route 312. But in addition to safety concerns, residents are worried about what it would do to the look of the nation's oldest city.

"I bring my kids here a lot to play and ride the carousel and just to be right there on that corner," resident Melissa Woody said. "It wouldn't be maybe a good fit for the area."

"And there's more than enough convenience stores in the area," resident Daniel Hawthorne said.

Some said there are already enough accidents there.

"When you get in and out of the library, you always have issues getting in and out of here. Look, right here is blocked up already now," resident Tina Torres said. "Sometimes you sit there for 10 minutes to get out."

"I think it's a busy intersection," resident Alberto Torres said. "They need to do something different, make it more accessible rather than put a 7-Eleven (there)."

The plans for the store were originally denied by the city because plans for the driveway width were larger than the city's guidelines. Now that changes have been made, the city has approved the permit.

But there's another hurdle: The Florida Department of Transportation still has to sign off and approve its permit.

FDOT said it plans to issue a permit after the developer donates property so a traffic signal pole can be moved.

"In terms of commercial growth, you'd always hate to say we don't want a piece of commercial growth in St. Augustine," said Paul Williamson, of the city of St. Augustine. "Of course we do. It remains to be seen about if this is going to be a bigger add to congestion or not."

Meanwhile, for parents like Woody, there's a lot of concern about the store because it would be right across the street from Davenport Park.

"It would definitely attract kids, like, 'Hey, can we go get a piece of candy,' or something like that," Woody said. "And as a parent, that's one less thing that you want to have to be asked about."

There's no word on how soon FDOT could approve its permit.

News4Jax spoke to several other people out at the site Thursday but couldn't find anyone in support of the 7-Eleven.