HOLMES BEACH – A resolution to amend the site plan for Jessie’s Island Store is moving forward to a vote in November after commissioners approved the proposal for expansion during a September work session.
Building Official Jim McGuinness, along with City Planner Bill Brisson, presented the site plan amendment to commissioners. McGuinness said the business has outgrown the current 1,400 square foot structure at 5424 Marina Drive and the owners hope to add 1,025 of additional space behind the current building to allow for more retail and storage space.
His only concern with the project, he said, is that the owners of the business, Atco, Inc., provide adequate screening along the western side of the property to protect the nearby residential residents. Currently, he said, there is a dilapidated chain link fence that the property owner proposes to replace with a six-foot opaque fence which McGuinness said would bring the property into compliance with current building codes.
Appearing on behalf of the property owners were engineers Matt Morris and Camden Mills, of Morris Engineering.
Mills said the project proposes to improve stormwater drainage and parking on the Jessie’s Island Store site, provide two additional parking spaces to bring the total number of spaces to 12, including one compact space, and replace shell on the lot with sod. Mills said the cooler currently located behind the existing building would be incorporated into the expansion, bringing it into compliance with local ordinances.
Once the site plan amendment passes a commission vote, the property owners will have 180 days from the approval to apply for permits with the building department. Morris said the intent is to begin work on the project as quickly as possible.
“This was the easiest site plan we’ve ever had to look at,” Commissioner Judy Titsworth said.
“They did a good job with it,” Brisson added.