Commission approves first-reading land-use change and rezoning for Mayport Road storage site

The Atlantic Beach City Commission voted on June 23 to approve, on first reading, both a comprehensive-plan amendment and an associated rezoning to allow a parking-area expansion for a proposed three-story, climate-controlled self-storage redevelopment at 310 Mayport Road.

Staff had noted the Community Development Board voted 4-3 not to recommend the amendment, citing concerns that intensive industrial uses could be too close to residential properties. Applicant Randall Whitfield and his team presented a revised plan that would eliminate Mayport Road access and roll-up doors on West 3rd Street, add sidewalks and landscaping along Mayport Road, and use roughly 60% of the rezoned lot for parking while preserving 40% as green buffer.

Whitfield said the project would include a 20-foot landscape buffer and a 6-foot opaque fence along the adjacency to residential property, focused lighting that would be downcast, and enhanced landscaping consistent with Mayport Corridor revitalization goals. Attorney Michael Trainer argued the limited rezoning for parking would not be an intensive commercial or industrial use and that proposed treatments would mitigate potential impacts.

The commission split the votes as separate first readings: the comprehensive-plan amendment (ordinance 90-25-254) passed 4-1, and the rezoning (ordinance 90-25-255) passed 4-1. One commissioner voted nay on both measures. The items will proceed through the normal process (recordation and return for second reading as required). Staff confirmed notice to property owners within 300 feet and said signs had been posted near the site.