St. Johns County announced Tuesday, Sept. 17, that it had secured a favorable ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in a legal dispute with Southeast Development Partners LLC and Southeast Land Ventures LLC over the Grand Oaks development.
The ruling, issued on Friday, Sept. 13, supports the county’s position and reinforces its commitment to upholding development agreements and protecting community interests by holding the developer accountable.
Judge Claire R. Kelly sided with the county on all counts in the dispute, which centers on the developer’s obligation to widen a three-mile stretch of State Road 16.
The project, essential for accommodating growth and ensuring public safety, has seen its costs more than triple since initial approval, surging from an estimated $15 million in 2016 to more than $60 million as of Tuesday. The developer has not completed the work, leading the county to declare them in default.
The court also upheld the county’s authority to withhold further approvals of any additional plats and construction plans until the developer meets its contractual obligations.
County Commission Chair Sarah Arnold praised the court's decision.
“This ruling reaffirms our commitment to holding developers accountable and ensuring that promises made to our residents are kept,” Arnold said. “The developer’s attempt to alter the terms years later was a breach of trust. We stood firm for our community, and this decision sends a clear message that we expect all parties to honor their commitments.”
At the Feb. 21, 2023, Board of County Commissioners regular meeting, the board listened to a presentation from the developer. The developer requested an amendment to the original development agreement as part of this presentation. The board voted unanimously to deny the developer’s request to amend the original development agreement. The developer responded by filing a civil action against the county in March 2023 and the county countersued, ultimately winning the case.
County Administrator Joy Andrews emphasized the significance of this ruling and the county’s ongoing dedication to effective governance and protection of the residents’ interests.
“The ruling from the U.S. District Court is a powerful validation of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners’ conviction in prioritizing responsible development and its firm belief in defending our residents’ rights at every turn, without compromise,” Andrews said. “This court decision represents a significant victory for our residents, reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding their financial assets and overall well-being. The board’s rigorous litigatory approach throughout this dispute has empowered me, along with our strong legal and operations teams, to aggressively pursue the private resources owed to our community, without yielding to negotiation. This outcome underscores our stance on holding developers accountable to their infrastructure obligations and ensuring that our community’s interests remain protected.”
