ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Steve Brennan spends most mornings in this serene setting. But this pond filled with lily pads, ducks and blue herons may soon disappear.
“If there's a six lane highway right in my backyard inches from my home, property values will dramatically diminish,” said Brennan.
Brennan and his neighbors are fighting a proposed highway that would run right behind their Mission Trace subdivision. State Road 313 would extend from SR 312 west to U.S. 1 and back up to SR 16. A plan FDOT and local officials say is vital to alleviate congestion along US 1.
"It's necessary to keep the flow of traffic,” said St. Johns County commissioner Ron Sanchez.
Sanchez represents the area. He says the community is rapidly growing and calls this project a no brainer.
“It's the government’s responsibility to make sure they can travel safely as possible and that's part why we build roads because there are more and more people,” said Sanchez.
But Brennan doesn't buy it. And will continue to fight for his backyard view.
“This was going to be my final resting place,” said Brennan.
This is not a case of immanent domain for Brennan, but he says there are others that would have to be paid for portions of their property.
