Battle continues between developers and citizens near the Guana Preserve

"Any development there is really a travesty," exclaims Save Guana Now board member Sheila Hickson-Curran.

That's the mindset of many who are hoping to stop developers from building 66 homes on 74 acres of conserved private land next to the Guana Preserve.

Ponte Vedra Corp. spokesperson Misty Skipper said, "It was always discussed that this property would be developed."

And on Thursday, Ponte Vedra Corp. is hoping to get that green light to do just that from the St. Johns County Planning and Zoning Agency.

But not without a fight from local citizens.

TRENDING: 

• JSO dive team at a retention pond off Philips Highway
• I-95 closed for hours after incidents in Jacksonville leads to stolen police SUV, high speed chase
• Jacksonville teacher removed from classroom over Pledge of Allegiance message to students
• Jeffrey Epstein autopsy finds broken bones in his neck, report says
• Baby left in hot car outside Arizona Target as temperatures hit 112 degrees, police say
• One-of-a-kind indoor sports facility planned for St. Johns County​​​​​​​

John Pilecki, a resident at Vilano Beach explains, "We think there should be some space in this county that is totally protected by that kind of development."

But developers tell Action News Jax they've taken the steps to develop and also be environmentally sensitive.

"We believe we have taken the steps to peacefully coexist with Guana right next to us as they have," Skipper said.

But Hickman-Curran doesn't agree.

"There's no possible way to build 66 homes and be environmentally friendly," he said.

We're told this is just the first of many meetings to come before a decision to allow development is even made, but citizens we spoke with said they're in it for the long haul.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on this breaking story