Planning board approves small dock, Pelican Reef retaining wall and multiple tree removals with conditions

The City of St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board on July 1 approved a set of shoreline and conservation-overlay projects including a private dock at 22 North St. Augustine Boulevard and several requests in the Pelican Reef neighborhood that involve tree removals and a retaining wall. Board members approved each item after staff presentations and brief discussion, and in several cases added conditions requiring a final landscape plan or drainage adjustments.

Why it matters: The actions affect conserved shoreline and Pelican Reef’s conservation-overlay zones, including the city’s cedar-tree preservation requirements for that neighborhood. Approvals included conditions intended to preserve or replace cedars and to ensure drainage work meets floodplain requirements.

Most important approvals and conditions

- Dock at 22 North St. Augustine Boulevard (PCB2025-0041): The board approved construction of a 114-foot dock and a boat sling lift in conservation overlay Zones 1 and 2. Staff said permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been obtained; the applicant described a 14-by-16 terminal platform and a 12-by-24 lift. Board members found the proposal met the city’s conservation criteria and voted yes on the motion (motion by Charles Pappas; second by an unnamed board member). Roll call: Charles Pappas, Matthew Schafer, Susan Johns, Lynn Ashley Barnes, Christina Tucker — all recorded “yes.”

- 111 Oystercatcher Circle (PZB2025-0542): The board approved conservation-overlay development to remove 12 significant trees to build a single-family home, while retaining six trees and requiring the applicant to show the location of a tenth required cedar to staff for final approval. The arborist and survey showed discrepancies in measured diameters for several cedar trees; the board’s motion added a condition that staff must approve the final landscape plan showing the tenth cedar. Motion: moved by Matthew Schafer; seconded; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- 228 Pelican Reef Drive (PZB2025-0044): The board approved construction of a retaining wall with a top-of-wall elevation of 7 feet to support a single-family build in conservation overlay Zone 2, with a condition that the applicant adjust drainage flow as required by the city’s floodplain coordinator (staff will review lot grading during building permit). Motion carried (mover: Charles Pappas; second: unnamed); roll call recorded as unanimous.

- 130 Pelican Reef Drive (PZB2025-0045): The board approved removal of one significant tree (and removal of 11 trees total as part of site preparation) to allow construction of a single-family home, finding the arborist’s report justified removal (the arborist had described the tree as split-stem and in poor condition). The vote was carried with one “no” from Charles Pappas (other board members voted yes). Motion: moved by Susan Johns; seconded; roll call: Johns yes, Schafer yes, Barnes yes, Tucker yes; Pappas no.

- 124 Spartina Avenue (PZB2025-0048): The board approved removal of six significant southern red cedar trees to allow a single-family home, with the applicant committing to plant eight replacement cedars and to retain several larger existing trees (including a 20-inch cedar and a 16-inch oak shown on the arborist report). Motion carried unanimously.

What board members emphasized: Board members and staff repeatedly asked applicants to align arborist measurements with survey maps, show exact planting locations for replacement cedars, and coordinate drainage/lot-grading with the floodplain coordinator. Several board members noted Pelican Reef’s history of saltwater inundation and the neighborhood’s long-standing requirement that each lot maintain at least 10 southern red cedars.

Background details and technical clarifications: The staff reports cited Section 11.29 (conservation overlay rules) for these items. Applicants referenced DEP and Army Corps permits for waterfront work, arborist reports for tree condition and DBH (diameter at breast height), and engineering lot-grading plans for drainage. Where arborist and survey DBH values differed, the board required the applicant to reconcile measurements before final landscaping approval.

Next steps: Applicants must submit final landscape and lot-grading plans that satisfy staff and the floodplain coordinator and, where required, record the required replacement cedar locations before final permits are issued.

Votes at a glance

- PCB2025-0041 (22 N St. Augustine Blvd; dock): Approved. Motion by Charles Pappas; roll call: Pappas yes, Schafer yes, Johns yes, Barnes yes, Tucker yes. - PZB2025-0542 (111 Oystercatcher Circle; tree removals): Approved with condition (staff approval of location of 10th cedar). Motion moved by Matthew Schafer; roll call unanimous. - PZB2025-0044 (228 Pelican Reef Drive; retaining wall): Approved with condition (drainage to meet floodplain coordinator). Motion moved by Charles Pappas; roll call unanimous. - PZB2025-0045 (130 Pelican Reef Drive; removal of significant tree): Approved. Motion moved by Susan Johns; roll call: Schafer yes, Pappas no, Johns yes, Barnes yes, Tucker yes. - PZB2025-0048 (124 Spartina Avenue; tree removals): Approved. Motion moved by Matthew Schafer; roll call unanimous.

Proper names referenced: City of St. Augustine, Matanzas River, Pelican Reef, Oystercatcher Circle, Spartina Avenue, DEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Ending: Applicants will return to staff with final, revised surveys, arborist reconciliations, and lot-grading details for staff sign-off; several matters will be verified during the building-permit review process.