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Commission forwards rezoning for Daily’s convenience store; neighbors cite lighting and traffic concerns
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a rezoning to allow a Daily’s convenience store, fueling station and car wash on an 8.36‑acre site at County Road 220 and Nightbox Road; nearby residents and the Boxwood HOA cited concerns about lighting, noise and traffic and commissioners pressed for strong buffers and lighting controls.
The Clay County Planning Commission on April 7 voted to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approve a rezoning (Z26‑004) to allow a Daily’s convenience store with fuel pumps and a car wash on roughly 8.36 acres at County Road 220 and Nightbox Road.
Proposal and staff finding: Planning staff explained the property was mapped commercial in 2003 but not rezoned at that time; the current request would rezone the parcels from AR (agricultural/residential) to BB2 (community business) to allow a convenience store with fueling and a car wash. Staff found the application met rezoning criteria and the Oakleaf Brandon Ridge Citizens Advisory Committee recommended approval 5–0.
Public concerns: Denise Robertson, president of the Boxwood HOA, said the neighborhood is adjacent to the site and identified three concerns: lighting, noise and traffic, noting heavy use of Nightbox Road while a nearby bridge is closed. “We are concerned about lighting. We’re concerned about noise. We’re concerned about traffic,” she said, asking the commission to consider buffers and turning lanes.
Commission discussion and applicant response: Jason Gabriel, representing First Coast Energy (the applicant), and the project engineer explained that the convenience store and fuel canopy would occupy only a portion of the site, with several acres set aside for storm water retention and buffering. Commissioners asked about using a PUD to add enforceable site‑specific conditions; staff and the representative said the application is conventional zoning but the applicant submitted a site plan and committed to design elements, and that some uses are restricted by proximity to residences under the code.
Outcome and vote: After discussion the commission voted to forward the rezoning to the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioners emphasized the need for a robust 20‑foot buffer with a six‑foot visual screen, carefully controlled lighting (downlighting where feasible), and traffic mitigation at Nightbox Road; staff said those topics would be considered in subsequent design‑review and permitting stages.
What to watch for: The Board of County Commissioners will take the final action; future permitting and development‑review steps (site plan, design‑review committee) will address specific lighting, noise and access mitigation measures.
