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Commission narrows Atlantic Boulevard overlay uses to allow museums and small indoor recreation; arts‑oriented 'jellyfish museum' cleared by 5‑1 vote
Summary
The City Commission amended the Atlantic Boulevard Overlay District to allow museums and similar indoor commercial recreation uses on a handful of B‑2 parcels; commissioners split over broader text amendments but approved the narrow addition 5‑1.
On second reading the commission amended the Atlantic Boulevard Overlay District (AOD) to add museums and certain indoor commercial recreation uses to properties zoned B‑2 inside the overlay.
Principal Planner Max Weems said the change is narrow — it affects a small number of remaining B‑2 parcels in the beach overlay and was requested to allow the operator of a proposed jellyfish museum to occupy an existing parcel. Weems said no policy changes to the broader overlay or building standards were made since first reading.
Commission debate focused on precedent and the risk of incremental zoning changes (sometimes called spot‑zoning). Commissioner Feswick said he was wary of broad text amendments and the cumulative effect of repeated small changes in the overlay; the commissioner favored greater caution before permanently expanding allowable uses across the district. Vice Mayor Fournier and others said the amendment was limited and would enable cultural and low‑impact entertainment uses on very few parcels.
The ordinance passed on second reading by a 5‑1 vote. Supporters described the amendment as narrowly tailored to enable a museum that could draw visitors and small‑scale indoor recreation without upzoning parcels to broader commercial categories. Opponents urged continued caution on piecemeal text changes to the AOD.
