PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – St. Johns County commissioners are considering a plan that would create two new public beach access points in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Many in the community are thrilled at the prospect, saying they have waited decades for something like this. But some who already have homes in the area are balking at the idea of a public parking lot and more traffic.
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The pieces of land in question were once part of the troubled Serenata Beach Club, which has been the focus of several News4JAX I-TEAM reports.
After the club was sold at auction in 2024 to pay off its debts, a lending organization, WBL SPO I LLC, ended up with two beachfront parcels of the property at the north and south ends.
That lending organization is ready to make a deal with the county.
In exchange for modifying the planned unit development for Pirates Landing, WBL would donate the pieces of land to the county for public beach access, with the understanding that a single-family home would be built on each parcel.
James Whitehouse, the attorney for the lender, explained that the owner is not a developer.
“They are a lending organization who acquired these properties as part of a bankruptcy when the Serenata Beach Club imploded and the property had to be divided by a bankruptcy court,” Whitehouse said.
Supporters of the possible exchange with the county, including many Ocean Grande residents, said the donation would restore long-lost beach access and could help the county secure state and federal funding for coastal projects.
“Ocean Grande has been waiting now for over 20 years to have something that they can call their own,” Norma Rea said.
Opponents, on the other hand, warned that a parking lot and overflow parking on A1A’s curved section could create safety hazards and urged an FDOT study and strict enforcement of no-parking zones.
“What I’m opposed to, and what many of our residents are opposed to is the parking lot,” said Tim Howey.
County staff noted that they would need to further analyze the site.
“You have to have Richard Petty skills to get out of that driveway safely, either the Ocean Grande or the beach side,” said Greg Hagerman.
After public comment and discussion during a recent meeting, the board voted 4-1 to continue the public hearing and directed staff to return with additional technical analysis on traffic safety, FDOT access requirements, Army Corps and state funding implications, precise acreage and options to negotiate the purchase of the southern parcel.