Boston-based Freehold Communities, the developer of Shearwater in St. Johns County, is working with St. Augustine landowners on a new project to turn farmland into a residential community with thousands of homes.
The development requires a rezoning from Open Rural to Planned Unit Development of 2,673 acres between County Roads 208 and 214 west of Interstate 95. It is south of the St. Augustine Premium Outlets and about 20 miles south of Shearwater.
The “Agrihood” plans include 250,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. It would include up to 3,332 residential units, comprising up to 2,077 single-family homes, 340 town homes and 915 age-restricted single-family units.
By comparison, Shearwater along County Road 210 in northern St. Johns is 1,500 acres with plans for 2,000 homes.
According to Freehold Communities’ website, “Agrihoods are defined as an organized community that integrates agriculture into a residential setting.”
Freehold’s 2,300-home Arden community in Wellington, 22 miles of west of Palm Beach, features a 5-acre farm and event barn. It also has a clubhouse with a pool.
In Orlando, The Grow is a 1,200-acre mixed-use subdivision centered in a 9-acre farm.
Since 1906, Robinson Improvement Co. of Brunswick, Georgia, has owned the eight parcels where the St. Johns community is planned.
Andrew Smith, vice president of operations of Freehold Communities’ parent company, Freehold Capital Management, said the developer connected with the Robinson family after the its national search for a partner to create an agrihood.
“We just happened to be here in St. Augustine,” Smith said. “They liked what we are doing with Shearwater and they want to develop a similar community to honor their parents,” he said.
“The Robinson family has owned the land for more than 100 years and they will stay involved until the last home is sold. We feel it’s a great partnership.”
Based on a 2.75 person- per-unit calculation, Freehold Communities estimates an overall population in the community to be 9,163.
The project is divided into the East and West Villages, each with a commercial parcel. The villages may include parks, playgrounds, tot lots, ball fields, playing courts and an amenity center.
St. Johns County is reviewing documents that state: “The Robinson Improvement Company (R.I.C.), founded in 1906 by John Robinson, has owned and managed thousands of acres of land in St. Johns County in agricultural, silvicultural and timber use for more than 100 years. The 2,673-acre tract of land is one of the last remaining parcels owned by R.I.C. and has been in continuous timber management for the last 60-plus years.”
The records say “R.I.C. and its heirs wish to develop this land to honor John Robinson’s legacy in St. Johns County. After much research, study and planning, R.I.C. proposes to develop this land as an ‘Agrihood Community’ like no other in St. Johns County.
“This is the best of mixed-use community development principles coupled with an agricultural-centric lifestyle.”
The application says civic and community uses will be permitted in all areas at the site, including parks, schools, community gardens and farms.
Saying plans also call for road and school infrastructure developments, Smith said the development is an example of “growth-paying growth.”
According to its application, the project will be developed in two 10-year phases and development might overlap. Construction would start after PUD ordinance approval and within five years after Jan. 1, 2026.
England-Thims & Miller Inc. of Jacksonville is the civil engineer. The attorney representing the development is Zach Miller, son of ETM co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Doug Miller.
According to the Freehold Communities website: “Our developments are large-scale residential communities, from urban master plans with well-designed density to completely new developments or thriving neighborhoods with active home sales and build-to-rent properties. Some include attractive mixed-use and creative-office components.”
It says that “all are enriched by the best possible amenities. Each one is a Freehold Vital Community, designed to express the trends and preferences of their local market. By partnering with high-quality builders that share our philosophy, we bring our extraordinary vision to life. The result: niche solutions with timeless designs for real people.”
Freehold broke ground on its Shearwater master-planned community in 2015.
Freehold also has developments in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and California.