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Planning board approves series of variances, dock and conservation requests; details and vote counts
Summary
At its Oct. 1 meeting the board approved multiple variances and conservation‑overlay actions — including variances at 14 S. Leonardi, 91 Kings Ferry and 25 Menendez; approvals for docks and tree removal; and use‑by‑exceptions for short‑term rental parking. Vote tallies and key conditions are listed.
The St. Augustine Planning & Zoning Board voted on a slate of property requests on Oct. 1, approving several variances and conservation‑overlay developments, and documenting conditions or clarifications for record.
Key outcomes (motions, vote counts and conditions):
• Variance — 14 South Leonardi Street (PZV‑2024‑0067): Approved to reduce the side‑yard setback from 5 feet to 1 foot to allow building permit review for a guest house. Vote: Yes — Matthew Schafer, Mike Davis, Susan Johns, Carl Blow, Christina Tucker; No — Ashley Barnes (5–1). Staff noted the structure’s long‑standing presence; applicant Gloria Worley and adjacent neighbor Jim Beard testified in support. Board discussion focused on whether the condition runs with the land and parking; staff confirmed the variance would allow building permit review but the structure must meet building codes for habitability.
• Variance — 91 Kings Ferry Way (PZV‑2024‑0068): After testimony from the applicant and nearby property owner Bob Thomas, the board approved an after‑the‑fact variance to permit an 8‑foot front‑yard fence on a through lot. Roll call: Yes — Schafer, Blow, Johns, Davis, Tucker; No — Barnes (5–1). The board specifically found the through‑lot condition a singular disadvantage.
• Variance — 25 Menendez Road (PZV‑2024‑0073): Approved to allow a 520‑sq‑ft guest house to be reviewed for permits (applicant proposes adding a second story over an existing garage footprint). Roll call: unanimous yes (6–0). Staff confirmed the proposal uses the existing footprint and will be checked for impervious area and building code compliance.
• Use‑by‑Exception — 72 Abbot Street (parking for short‑term rental): Approved (5–1). Applicant provided documentation of attempts to lease nearby parking; staff noted state law constrains local regulation of short‑term rentals and this use‑by‑exception is the final option when on‑site parking cannot be provided. Board asked that rental advertisements state there is no on‑site parking and that guests use the municipal garage.
• Use‑by‑Exception — 136 Saint George Street (Savannah Bee Company — mead tastings): Approved (6–0) with conditions limiting the approval to mead tastings/retail and hours roughly 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; board discussed but did not adopt a specific alcohol‑percentage cap, noting state licensing also governs beverage type and alcohol content.
• Conservation overlay decisions: Aracola Avenue (PZB‑20240064) approved to remove existing canopy and allow four townhomes with required mitigation and stormwater measures; 157 Inlet Drive dock (PZB‑20240070) approved (small, low‑profile dock, DEP self‑certified); 191 Inlet Drive significant tree removal (PZB‑20240074) — board approved removal of a 30‑inch live oak after reviewing an arborist report that assessed root and canopy decline, but reminded the applicant that full COZ‑2 development approval may still be required; 106 N. St. Augustine Blvd dock extension (PZB‑2024‑76) approved to extend docks to reach deeper water amid sandbar buildup.
Board members emphasized that approvals do not bypass required building permits, DEP/state permits or subsequent conservation‑zone permitting when applicable. Several approvals include staff follow‑up checks (building permits, landscape mitigation, and stormwater compliance).
