102 Aquatic Drive UBE-2008-03 Staff Report CC
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Request from Bobby Bhikha for Shivam Atlantic, LLC for a Use-by-Exception to allow development of a new Hampton Inn & Suites hotel in the Commercial General (CG) Zoning
District on an undeveloped site located at the northwest corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Aquatic Drive.
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Doerr, AICP
Community Development Director
DATE: May 29, 2008
BACKGROUND: The applicant wishes to construct an 80-room hotel (a Hampton Inn & Suites) on this undeveloped 1.69 acre site. The proposed design is a three-story structure in compliance
with the City’s 35-foot height limit. The Applicant has stated that no variances or waivers will be requested for the proposed hotel. Development of this site will be subject to
all parking and stormwater requirements, tree permitting and landscaping requirements and all other standard development regulations including the Commercial Corridor Development Standards.
This site is surrounded by other commercial uses and is also adjacent to the City’s Hopkins Creek Regional Stormwater Retention Pond, which is almost two acres in size and currently
under construction.
With the recent re-opening of the Sea Turtle Inn (now Ocean One) as a high-end luxury hotel, there would seem to a demand for new more modestly priced, but high quality hotels typical
of Hampton Inn facilities. The Applicant has stated that a final design for this hotel has not yet been determined, but that it will be one of the prototype designs used by the Hampton
Inn franchise as depicted in the attached photos.
This section of Atlantic Boulevard has seen some redevelopment on both the Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach sides, but older commercial buildings still dominate this area. New development
which supports a pattern of appropriate new infill and redevelopment projects should be encouraged in this area such that it does not decline in a similar manner as Mayport Road. The
proposed use would seem to be consistent with the desired development pattern for the City’s two commercial corridors.
RECOMMENDATION: The Community Development Board considered this request at their May 20th meeting and recommended approval subject to the following condition:
There shall be no dumpster pick up before 7:00 on any day of the week.
Staff supports the CD Board’s recommendation, and provides the following suggested motion.
The City Commission may consider a motion to approve this Use-by-Exception (File Number UBE-2008-03) to allow development of a new hotel in the Commercial General (CG) Zoning District
on an undeveloped site located at the northwest corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Aquatic Drive, provided:
(Add other findings or conditions as may be appropriate.)
There shall be no dumpster pick-up before 7:00a.m. on any day of the week.
Approval of this Use-by-Exception complies with the requirements of Section 24-63 of the Land Development Regulations.
The requested use is consistent and compatible with other surrounding development along this portion of Atlantic Boulevard.
ATTACHMENTS: Application materials and draft minutes of the May 20th Community Development Board meeting.
BUDGET: No budget issues.
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: _________________