Atlantic Beach grants waiver for 341 6th Street parking pad; homeowner must install turf‑block and meet 50% impervious limit

The Atlantic Beach City Commission on July 28 approved Waiver 25‑0003, allowing modification and continued use of an unpermitted parking pad in the city right‑of‑way at 341 6th Street subject to meeting city code limits on impervious area.

Amanda Askew, director of the Neighborhoods Department, presented the quasi‑judicial item and explained the relevant code sections: Chapter 19‑1 (no construction in the right‑of‑way that obstructs public use), Chapter 19‑2 (staff authority to issue exceptions in the public interest), and Chapter 19‑7 (limit of 50% impervious area between front property line and street). She said the Community Development Board reviewed the request in June and recommended approval, conditioned on maintaining 50% or less impervious area.

Applicant Jim Lucas said he purchased the house with a gravel parking pad that was constructed in 2012 without permits; he proposed removing gravel and installing turf‑block pavers (measured as 50% impervious by city calculation) plus a mulch strip to meet the 50% limit. Neighbor Brinkley Harrell spoke in support and noted multiple similar improvements on 6th Street that provide practical parking relief for residents.

During deliberation, the mayor and commissioners emphasized promoting turf‑block installations as a consistent, visible standard for right‑of‑way parking and preserving public awareness of where parking is authorized. The commission moved and seconded a motion to approve the waiver on the grounds that approval furthers the public interest and is conditioned on meeting the 50% impervious‑area limit; the vote was unanimous.

The waiver approval is conditioned on submitting plans showing turf‑block installation that results in no more than 50% impervious area in the right‑of‑way and meeting any applicable permitting and inspection requirements.