Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves conversion of historic 504 2nd Street South to two-unit multifamily
Summary
The Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit to convert a historic single-family house at 504 2nd Street South into a two-unit multifamily dwelling after staff recommended approval; the decision was unanimous among those voting. The commission also asked staff to research zoning tools to manage smoke-shop density in the city.
The Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission approved a conditional-use request on March 23 to convert a historic single-family structure at 504 2nd Street South into a two-unit multifamily dwelling, planning staff said.
Planning staff presented application PCO226 and recommended approval, saying the house—built in 1934 according to Duval County property appraiser records—is classified in the land development code as an existing historic single-family structure and that converting it to a two-unit multifamily use would make the property conforming under the new LDC provisions. Staff said companion variances had been sought to address historic setbacks and dimensional nonconformities and noted the variances were approved last week.
The applicants, Grace Maxwell and Jeffrey Maxwell, were sworn and Grace Maxwell described the proposal as a two-unit conversion with an attached garage and one unit above and one below. "We'd like to have our single-family historic home changed into multifamily for conditional use," she said.
Commissioners asked staff to explain the variances and setbacks; staff said some historic setbacks are smaller than current standards (staff cited a historical 4-foot setback where 10 feet would be expected along one frontage and approximately an 8-foot front setback). The applicant confirmed the home is occupied and that additions would remain single-story.
After closing the public hearing (no members of the public requested to speak), a motion to approve PCO226 was made and seconded. The commission conducted a roll-call vote; when the clerk called the names, the responding votes recorded in the transcript were "yes" for David Dahl, Dean Haddock, Matthew Feiler, Justin Henderson and Nicholas Sanders, and the chair announced the motion passed. The chair praised use of the new LDC to preserve a historic resource while allowing compatible additional housing.
The conditional-use approval will allow the conversion to a two-unit multifamily dwelling contingent on addressing the companion variances through the Board of Adjustment as described by staff. The transcript did not specify the final, formal conditions of approval beyond the recommendation and variance process. The commission did not record any abstentions or dissents during the roll call in the transcript.
What happens next: staff or the applicants will complete any conditions or administrative steps identified by the Board of Adjustment and the planning department; the transcript did not provide a detailed implementation timeline.
