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Owner seeks to convert second floor at 218 Ash St. to residential; staff say drawings and egress are required
Summary
An owner requested a change of use at 218 Ash Street from commercial to residential; planning staff said the zoning allows residential use but building and fire staff said the conversion will require full architectural/engineering drawings, a design professional, and a secondary means of egress to meet current codes.
An owner seeking to convert the second floor at 218 Ash Street from commercial to residential described interior work and inspections Wednesday, and city staff outlined the technical steps needed before occupancy.
The applicant, who provided his Jacksonville address, told the committee the second floor had been used for a tattoo studio and other commercial uses but now has a refrigerator and a small kitchenette and is intended for residential use. "There's no structural changes... It's all been up to code," the applicant said, and added that plumbing and electrical work had been inspected.
Planning staff told the committee that residential use is permissible in the zoning district but reminded the applicant the property sits in the city's historic district; interior work is not governed by the historic guidelines, but any exterior changes would trigger historic review. "Anything on the interior is not affected by the historic district regulations and guidelines," a planning staff member said.
Building and fire staff emphasized that because the unit is returning to residential use after a commercial period, the applicant must submit a full set of drawings to demonstrate required separations, a secondary means of ingress/egress, and compliance with fire and electrical codes. "You'll have to have a secondary means of ingress and egress," the fire representative said, and staff recommended consulting a design professional to assess alternatives and feasibility.
Staff advised that, if the zoning is confirmed, the applicant may apply for a building permit directly after preparing the required architectural and engineering drawings. The TRC's role was explained as advisory: applicants will submit a formal TRC application and the city will perform internal reviews and return comments; any required HDC certificate of approval for exterior changes must precede issuance of a land development order.
The committee did not deny or approve the change of use at the meeting; staff said they would provide the applicant with review notes and application materials to continue the permit process.
