Palatka planners deny request to change commercial parcel to high-density residential

The Palatka Planning Board on June 2 voted unanimously to deny PB case 26-11, a request to amend the future land use of a property on St. John's Avenue from Palatka commercial to residential high and to rezone the lot to R3 multifamily. Senior planner Michael Hill presented staff's analysis and recommended denial, concluding the proposed amendments would be inconsistent with comprehensive-plan policies that encourage elimination of nonconforming uses and protect the commercial corridor.

Hill summarized the analysis: "The proposed amendments to the future land use and zoning districts are not consistent with the comprehensive plan stated policies of the elimination of non-conforming uses and will have a negative impact on the existing commercial corridor along St. John's Avenue," and staff recommended denial of both the future-land-use change and rezoning.

Applicant representative Sarah Meyer disputed that characterization, saying the property sits adjacent to residential-high on its southern boundary and that the change would "rectify the existing non-conforming situation" by aligning the land use with on-the-ground residential uses. Meyer argued the amendment would reduce blight risk and not generate new traffic because it is an existing residential use.

Board members said they appreciated the applicant's arguments but expressed concern that approving a land-use change would undermine the city's long-term plan to develop St. John's as a commercial corridor. Following deliberation, the board voted to deny the requested future land use amendment and the associated rezoning.

Because the board denied the future land-use change, the rezoning request did not proceed to approval. The applicant may consider alternative paths such as a targeted rezoning application, continued compliance under the existing nonconforming status, or an appeal to the city commission.