Board approves conditional use permit for Pier Village Market cafe with JWSC pretreatment condition

The Glynn County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional use permit on April 17 for a small cafe in Pier Village Market at 215 Mallory Street, St. Simons, permitting a grab‑and‑go operation that will serve boba tea, coffee and light refreshments.

Planning staff said the proposed tenant space had not previously held a restaurant use, so the conditional use permit was required under the village mixed‑use zoning district. Joint Water and Sewer Commission staff requested a pretreatment (grease trap) capacity increase from 10 gallons per minute to 35 gallons per minute; staff and the applicant indicated the issue is being resolved and recommended the board include a compliance deadline to capture the requirement because there is no building permit trigger for subsequent enforcement.

Commissioners approved the CUP with the condition that the applicant meet JWSC pretreatment requirements by May 31, 2025. Applicant Hazelle Barto told the board she had been coordinating with Andrew Burrow of JWSC and that she already had a grease trap but would install the larger unit required.

Why it matters: The condition ensures wastewater pretreatment requirements are met for a food service use in a location where no building remodel would otherwise trigger JWSC review; county staff said the condition is necessary because there is no building permit to capture the requirement.

Ending: The CUP was approved with the JWSC pretreatment condition; enforcement and final approval will depend on the applicant meeting JWSC requirements prior to operation.