St. Johns County planners want to cut in half the distance alcohol sellers must keep from churches and schools.

The current 1,000-foot buffer has been on the books for roughly 40 years. Planning Division Manager Jacob Smith presented the idea at an Aug. 20 workshop before the St. Johns County Planning and Zoning Agency, calling the standard "Prohibition-era," the St. Johns Citizen reported. Smith asked board members whether the distance should be reduced or measured differently.

Planners Consider Separate Rules for Bars, Restaurants and Liquor Stores

Board members discussed dropping the buffer to 500 feet and creating separate rules for restaurants, liquor stores and bars. One member suggested most alcohol uses could require as little as 100 feet of separation, while bars would keep a larger buffer. No vote was taken. The county's agenda listed the item as discussion only.

Baptist Preacher Clashes With Board During Public Comment

The workshop drew pointed public comment. Doug Russo, a Baptist preacher from St. Augustine who said he has 11 children and 60 grandchildren, called board members "fools" and "disgusting" during remarks against alcohol.

"When you put a brewery within 400 feet of a church ... that's absolutely nonsense," Russo said. "The love of money is the root of all evil."

Officials warned Russo not to attack the board and told him he would need to leave. A security guard approached the podium. Russo refused.

"I'm not leaving. I have every right to be here," he said.

Chairman Richard Hilsenbeck let Russo finish and thanked him for his comments.

Two Recent Cases Show the Current Rule's Uneven Results

The discussion followed two different outcomes under the existing rule. On May 19, county commissioners unanimously overturned the PZA's earlier approval allowing Main Street Pizza in Hastings to serve beer and wine. First Baptist Church of Hastings sits across the street, and church members raised concerns about noise, safety and children attending its programs.

On July 9, the PZA unanimously approved a zoning variance and special-use permit for Bushrangers Brewery, a Kookaburra concept planned at 470 State Road 207. Colonial Church is roughly 400 feet from the site, but its senior pastor submitted a letter saying the congregation did not oppose the brewery.

No Vote Scheduled Yet on Buffer Change

The PZA meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the County Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine. No date has been set for a formal vote on the buffer change.