Welcome to
St. Augustine Shores

A Call for Unity and Understanding 

First, I hope this message finds you well and that you are enjoying the new year. As the Shores HOA President, I am continually inspired by our community’s potential when we come together. It’s in that spirit that I write to you today. 

The new year brought several changes to Florida’s HOA laws, including updates that affect residents of The Shores. There were many laws updated, however, the top three topics relevant to our neighborhood are as follows: 

1. Hurricane Protection Specifications: The State of Florida has updated the requirements for HOAs regarding the hurricane protection specifications in the Architectural Control Committee Manual. These changes have been updated in the association’s ACC manual effective 1/9/25. 
2. Official Records: The State of Florida now requires a password-protected section on the HOA’s website for certain governing documents. 
3. Board Certification Requirements: The State of Florida has implemented new guidelines for board directors requiring that every board director pass a (4) hour board certification course within (90) days of being elected or appointed to the board. Additionally, because our community has more than 2,500 homes, the state has mandated board members to take additional (8) hours of continued education related to HOA management. 

I wanted to discuss a few events that might affect the Shores community. One is the possibility of a cell phone tower being erected off Shores Boulevard privately owned land (not property owned by the association). The other is a developer looking to build “Workforce Housing.” In this case, the workforce housing would be 152 townhomes starting at the corner of Watson Rd. and US 1. This location is not in The Shores, however, the added homes, changes to infrastructure, and traffic could affect Shores residents. 

At our January 9th HOA meeting, discussions surrounding the proposed cell tower became heated, with some comments veering into unproductive and disrespectful territory. While passion and differing opinions are expected, I urge all of us to approach these matters respectfully when dealing with our neighbors and the Shores office staff. Constructive dialogue is the foundation of a thriving and harmonious community. Healthy discussions and differing perspectives are vital. Let’s ensure that our interactions remain respectful and solution-focused. Whether it’s about landscaping, parking, or other concerns, we aim to find outcomes that benefit all residents. 

As always, the HOA board is here to serve you, and we are committed to transparency and collaboration. Let’s work together to make The Shores the best place to live in St. Johns County. 

Warm regards, 

Mike Nutile 

HOA Board President