ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — St. Augustine community members are divided on the county's plans for a development that would turn over three miles of land into a paved trail.
A packed meeting about the project got heated Wednesday evening.
The plan for a paved trail stretching 3.25 miles long across Shore Drive has been in the works since 2021.
Jack Brabb lives in St. Augustine South and walks his dog along the grassy trail five days a week.
He said the community doesn't need the pavement.
"I think it's just going to change the ambiance of the neighborhood,” Brabb said. “It's going to change the look of the beautiful shoreline. It's going to bring in people that would never come down here and start to be a very busy place."
A few pedestrians voiced safety concerns, saying it's dangerous for bicyclists, walkers and runners.
"I run up and down Shore Drive almost every day, and I really, really, really am looking forward to this trail," one man said.
One woman said she's not able to walk and a paved pathway would make the trail safe for her to enjoy.
"We don't want this to divide us,” she said. “Maybe we can come together with something that can help everybody in some way."
The St. Johns County Board of Commissioners are set to vote on a bid for the project on March 5.
Some community members called on District 3 Commissioner Roy Alaimo to delay the vote.
"I thought the meeting went really, really well,” Alaimo said. “A lot of mixed emotions. People on both sides, but as a commissioner, the most important job that I have is listening to the people that I represent."
Alaimo said he'll continue to get citizen feedback and work with staff before making any recommendations.