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The ISSUE

UPDATE: Proposed Daily’s Gas Station and Car Wash Endangers Fruit Cove Residents

To our supporters, neighbors, and entire St. Johns County Community,

When this petition was originally created, Daily’s Gas Station (First Coast Energy) was seeking permitting for commercial development under the current zoning – Residential B, which limits the intensity of use – including gas stations - to be compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. 

Fast forward to now and Daily’s is back at it - FOR THE 3RD TIME.

They are seeking approval from the County Commissioners once again for a land use change to Community Commercial. We cannot let that happen! Community Commercial is NOT an insignificant change and would increase the intensity of use to allow for a gas station and approve developing a Daily’s gas station and car wash at the sole entrance of the Fruit Cove Estates neighborhood and SR 13. 

The County Commissioners consciously turned down their proposal for a gas station unanimously in 2019 citing its incompatibility to the surrounding neighborhood and Otoe’s Place, the only access point to the neighborhood. Traffic, need, concerns about private well water, and safety were all cited as reasons. WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN? NOTHING HAS CHANGED except that we have 5 new commissioners and traffic has increased on SR-13.

Once again, this would require approval by the current County Commissioners for approval. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO STOP DAILY’S – FOR THE 3rd TIME! 

This update is provided to inform signers of this petition and to explain why these proposed uses pose significant risks to our children, drinking water, and neighborhood safety.

  Gas Station AND Car Wash Pose Serious Risks to Drinking Water

Most of the western side of SR 13 is served by private wells, including Fruit Cove Estates, the adjacent neighborhood whose families rely entirely on groundwater for drinking, cooking, and bathing.

  Incompatible With a Residential Neighborhood

The proposed gas station and car wash would be located adjacent to single‑family homes and private backyards. It is currently zoned Residential B for a reason! 

  Increased Threat to Children and Traffic Safety

The proposed site remains at the only entrance and exit to Fruit Cove Estates and adjacent to a school bus stop used by neighborhood children.

  Previously Rejected at This Location

In 2019, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously rejected a gas station and car wash proposal at this same site, based upon community concerns related to traffic safety, groundwater protection, and residential incompatibility. Prior to that, the SJC Planning and Zoning (PZA) did not recommend approval in 2016, at which time the proposal was withdrawn. 

  Unified and Longstanding Community wide Opposition

For more than a decade, Fruit Cove Estates residents have consistently and unanimously opposed placing high‑risk commercial uses at the entrance to the neighborhood.

This opposition is based on public health and safety, drinking water protection, and responsible land‑use planning, not opposition to development in general.

  Our Continued Request 

Considering the renewed gas station and car wash proposal, we respectfully and firmly call on Daily’s Convenience Stores and First Coast Energy to:

• Withdraw the gas station and car wash components of the development

• End efforts to seek these high‑risk uses at the entrance to Fruit Cove Estates

• Respect the health, safety, water supply, and residential character of our community

Peaceful Consumer Action Statement

If Daily’s and First Coast Energy continue to pursue this project despite overwhelming community opposition and unresolved safety concerns, signatories of this petition will choose to lawfully refrain from patronizing Daily’s Convenience Stores and affiliated brands.

This is a peaceful consumer decision made in defense of our families and our drinking water.

Sign This Petition to Save Fruit Cove and Protect Fruit Cove Estates 

Protect our water.

Protect our children.

Protect our Fruit Cove community.

Families First in Fruit Cove. NO GAS STATION.