Planning board approves Harris Teeter beer-and-wine bar for on-site consumption with nontransferable condition

The Nassau County Planning Board on June 17 approved a conditional use permit to allow on-site consumption of alcoholic beverages inside a Harris Teeter supermarket located at Fletcher Avenue and First Coast Highway.

Planning staff found the beer-and-wine bar inside the store consistent with the Commercial General zoning district and the county's comprehensive plan and recommended approval subject to one condition: the right granted by the permit ‘‘shall not run with title to the land and shall not be transferable, but shall apply to the current applicant.’’ Adam Olsen of the planning department presented the staff analysis and said Harris Teeter currently operates similar beer-and-wine bars in 27 other stores.

The application, CU2025-008, would allow on-site consumption where the location previously sold alcohol only for off-premises use. "The applicant is seeking a conditional use approval to allow for the operation of a beer and wine bar within Harris Teeter, which will serve alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption," Olsen said. Elizabeth Bach, also with the planning department, clarified that screening and buffering requirements applicable to the Harris Teeter structure were addressed when the store was originally reviewed and constructed.

Board members questioned whether the staff language implying that an indoor use is not perceived as a use could create future interpretation problems. One board member said, "I would recommend it be corrected and taken out," urging staff to delete phrasing that could be read to suggest an indoor use is not a use. Staff agreed to consider editing future reports.

Jeff Rood, representing Harris Teeter, attended and said he agreed with the staff report. "I agreed, it was all accurate," Rood said.

Board member Henson moved approval of CU2025-008 subject to the staff condition; board member Fendig seconded. The board voted 7–0 in favor.