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Contractor seeks downtown change of use and a salon expansion; staff outline site‑plan, tree, stormwater, and utility requirements
Summary
A local contractor from Sunshine State Professional Services sought advisory input on a conversion of 528 South 8th Street from retail to office and an expansion of a hair salon at 1009 South 8th Street. Staff said office use is permissible but the salon expansion will trigger full site‑plan review, tree planting rules, capacity fees for additional wash chairs, and possible water‑management permitting for changes to a dry pond.
A contractor representing two property projects in downtown Fernandina Beach presented non‑agenda requests Wednesday and city staff provided preliminary guidance on code, permitting and site requirements.
"My name is John, and I'm with Sunshine State Professional Services," the contractor said, and described a proposed change of use for 528 South 8th Street from retail to office and a separate expansion of about 400 square feet behind an existing hair salon at 1009 South 8th Street.
Planning staff confirmed that office use is permissible at 528 South 8th Street in the MUA zoning district and said a follow‑up utility application will be provided so staff can calculate capacity fees. "Office is the permissible use there," a planning staff member said; staff also reminded the applicant that sign permits are required for any new signage.
For the hair salon expansion, staff said the work will trigger full site‑plan review because it adds impervious area and appears to take space from an existing dry pond. Stormwater staff flagged that the property may require a water‑management district permit and that a civil engineer must prepare plans if the dry pond is to be modified. "You're going to have to modify that and actually design and get...a water management district permit," a staff member said.
Staff also pointed out tree and landscaping obligations in the MU‑8 zoning district: one native shade tree per 1,500 square feet for non‑residential lots and a 10% landscaping requirement. The contractor was told to expect capacity calculations for added shampoo/wash chairs, a commercial backflow preventer, and potential restrictions on chain‑link fencing in certain zoning districts.
Staff advised the contractor to submit formal applications for TRC/site plan review and said the city would send a follow‑up list of required materials and contacts in the first‑step notes.
