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Planning board backs Hedges Eye Care site plan; forwards to Board of Adjustment
Summary
The City of Newberry Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of a site and development plan for Hedges Eye Care, a 2,275-square-foot expansion in the Central Business District, and forwarded the matter to the Board of Adjustment for final action June 23.
The City of Newberry Planning & Zoning Board on June 2 recommended approval of a site and development plan for a 2,275-square-foot expansion of Hedges Eye Care at 22 Southwest 250 Eighth Street and forwarded the application to the Board of Adjustment for final consideration on June 23.
The recommendation followed a staff presentation noting the property is about 0.16 acre within the Commercial Central Business District; the proposed project adds roughly 1,000 square feet to an existing cracker-style building and would house an eye-care clinic with four exam rooms and two doctors. "Staff find the proposed site plan and the use compatible with the long-term vision of the City of Newberry commercial corridor," Community Development staff said during the meeting.
The applicant and architect described project details, including an ADA-accessible restroom and ADA parking. Architect Daniel Garcia told the board the coffee window component will have very limited indoor seating and estimated ‘‘probably unrealistic to expect even 10 people to sit comfortably in the interior area.’’ Applicant Stephen (Steve) Hedges said the clinic will operate by appointment, expecting roughly four to five patients per hour and that the practice will keep its current patient-focused scheduling rather than move to high-volume visits.
Board members asked about parking and access. Staff and the applicant confirmed the site plan shows seven on-site parking spaces (including one ADA space) and additional street parking; the applicant reported arrangements to use nearby Lion’s Club parking for staff needs. In response to questions about circulation, staff noted ingress/egress from 250 Second Street as shown on the submitted plan.
No members of the public spoke on the item during the Planning & Zoning hearing. The board voted to approve the planning recommendation; the Planning & Zoning Board’s motion was unanimous. The application will be heard by the Board of Adjustment on June 23 at 7 p.m., per staff’s notice to the board.
The Planning & Zoning staff presentation noted prior related approvals: rezoning to CBD approved by the City Commission in November 2024 (Ordinance 2024-47) and a Historic Architectural Review Board approval on May 5, 2025. Staff said traffic, parking, stormwater, utilities and historic compatibility were reviewed and formed the basis of the recommendation.
The Board of Adjustment will consider the site and development plan and may approve, deny or continue the resolution; staff and the applicant will be available at that hearing to answer additional questions.
