Planning commission recommends land-use change for Ponte Vedra Inn parcel from recreation open space to low-density residential

The Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission recommended approval to the City Council of a small-scale future land use map amendment that would change about 0.91 acres at 0 Ponce De Leon Boulevard from recreation open space to low-density residential.

Planning staff presented PC 7-25 and said the parcel is the northernmost portion of the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club golf course. Staff told the commission that the property is zoned RS-1 (residential single-family) and that the city’s comprehensive plan has long designated the parcel as recreation open space. Staff recommended the commission forward a recommendation of approval to city council, noting the applicant proposes mitigation — a passive park being designed along South Beach Parkway — to avoid a net loss of recreation/open space.

Zach Miller, agent for Southside Boulevard Land Company Inc. (a subsidiary of the property owner identified as Gate, owner of the Inn and Club), presented aerials and a chronology of development. Miller said the subject parcel was designated recreation open space historically but is undeveloped and is not being used as parkland. He described RS-1 as the city’s lowest intensity single-family zoning and said the applicant believes a change to low-density residential would better align the future land use designation with existing zoning and the surrounding single-family development.

Miller told the commission the site could support up to three single-family lots under current dimensional standards and that, if divided equally, lots would be about 13,000 square feet. He described outreach with nearby residents and noted the applicant trimmed part of the proposed area from the application after neighbors raised concerns; Miller said roughly 6,500 square feet (0.05–0.08 acres) previously included was removed to accommodate neighbors.

Staff explained the city’s comprehensive plan requires that a conversion of recreation open space be offset by an equal or greater provision of recreation/open space elsewhere; the applicant proposes the new passive park along South Beach Parkway to meet that requirement. Commissioners asked whether the park was already planned and whether the park’s delivery was contingent on this amendment; staff replied the park design was underway and that, because Jacksonville Beach is largely built out, staff works with applicants to find mitigation solutions when privately owned recreation open space is proposed for a different use.

Multiple commissioners noted the parcel is unusual: staff said it appears to be the only privately owned property in the city currently designated recreation open space. Commissioners voiced support for the application’s neighborhood transition approach but also expressed concern about setting precedent; staff and the applicant both said comparable privately owned recreation open space parcels are rare or nonexistent in the city.

After the public hearing (no speaker cards were submitted), a motion to approve carried. The roll-call as recorded in the transcript included: Justin Henderson — no; David Bridal — yes; Matthew Feiler — yes; Nicholas Sanders — yes. The commission voted to recommend approval to city council. The record does not reflect the council’s action; the recommendation will proceed to the city council for final action.