Planning commission approves landscaping plan, redistribution of 43 trees at Penman Substation

The Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional-use landscaping plan for the Penman Substation, including a requirement to distribute a minimum of 43 replacement trees along the Penman Road frontage and to ask the project’s landscape architect to consider native plantings provided there is no adverse impact on cost or timeline.

Nicholas Johnson, representing Beaches Energy Services, told the commission the work is tied to a transformer rehabilitation project at the Penman Substation. "These are $3,000,000 assets," Johnson said, adding that ordering a replacement transformer today would take about 36 months to arrive. He said rust from nearby tree leaves and ground cover had begun to penetrate equipment casings and that mitigation was needed to protect the utility’s assets.

Johnson described the team’s preference for a lower‑maintenance approach: remove the existing mixed shrubs and install primarily sod around the wall with roughly 43 smaller "patio" ligustrum trees to restore the screen and reduce ongoing upkeep. He said contractors had provided several cost estimates; transcript notes include a very large quoted figure for an earlier design and other proposals described at roughly $51,000 and about $63,528 for alternatives. Johnson said he favored the latter, lower‑cost option to avoid burdening ratepayers.

Planning staff and commissioners discussed alternatives including native ground covers and drought‑tolerant grasses to reduce maintenance and freeze damage. Christian, a planning staff member, told the commission the city code focuses mainly on tree provisions and provides only general guidance on ground cover, and noted there are native ornamental grasses and other non‑spreading ground covers that could be considered.

A commissioner moved to approve the conditional use with conditions: follow the approved landscaping plan, redistribute the 43 replacement trees to provide uniform frontage coverage along Penman Road, and have the landscape architect consider native species and ground‑cover alternatives so long as they do not increase cost, maintenance burden, or delay the project. The motion was seconded and, in a roll‑call vote, commissioners Matthew Feiler, David Bridal, John Linus, Lindsay Hazel, and Dean Havoc voted yes; the motion carried.

Staff noted the applicant has pulled a permit that will be reviewed; that permit review will reflect the commission’s conditions. The commission closed the item and moved on to other business.

What remains unresolved: the record includes multiple contractor proposals and one large quoted amount that appears to be a transcription artifact; the planning office will receive final drawings and cost details during permit review before work begins.