Corridor Review Committee approves preliminary design for Boys and Girls Club addition; continues two items to February

ST. AUGUSTINE — The Corridor Review Committee approved preliminary design review for a 3,000-square-foot addition to the Boys and Girls Club on West King Street at its Thursday meeting, voting to approve the application with conditions and to continue two other agenda items to the February meeting.

Staff told the committee the project proposes an accessory structure on the west side of the existing building connected by a covered walkway and canopy, changes to parking and landscaping, and that it requires committee review under the King Street entry corridor design standards. “This project size and scope necessitates review by the CRC,” staff said, explaining the committee must find the application meets the standards and the review criteria cited in the staff report.

Dylan Scanlon, the applicant representative with Matthews DCCM, said the addition is intended as an assembly and activity area for Boys and Girls Club participants and that exterior materials and fenestration are consistent with the existing 2010 institutional building. He described the proposed shed roof as transitioning from about 17 feet down to 14 feet and said the plan adds nine parking spaces — eight standard and one accessible — in open space to the west, adjacent to railroad right-of-way. “We do have approval from the water management district,” Scanlon said regarding wetlands and stormwater, noting no additional impacts were requested by that agency.

A member of the public, BJ Kalei (West City of St. Augustine), asked whether the new parking would serve evening programs and how many spaces would be added near the railroad tracks. Scanlon said he could not confirm hours of operation from the podium but that the expanded facility will most likely retain the existing program’s hours and that the nine additional spaces are intended to serve the expansion.

After questions from committee members about orientation, canopy placement and lighting, a committee member moved to approve preliminary design review application HP2025-0081 “finding that the project overall is consistent with the intent of the design standards and meets the review criteria for approval, with the understanding the canopy is not obscuring the main structure and that any lighting will be submitted for review and approved by staff or resubmitted.” The chair seconded the motion and the committee voted in favor.

Earlier in the meeting the committee handled two other items on the agenda: the applicant for a sign at David Shores Park (HP20250085) requested a continuance to the committee’s February meeting; the committee approved that continuance. A separate application for 131 King Street (HP20250086) was administratively continued because the applicant had not completed the required application materials.

The committee’s formal approvals were procedural preliminary review decisions. Staff’s presentation noted applicable portions of the King Street Design Standards for entry corridors and reminded the committee that findings must be proven by the applicant and accepted by the CRC; staff also noted that lighting was not included in the submission and indicated lighting consistency would be required before final approval.

The meeting adjourned after the vote.