JMR
AD-16-72
LOCATION: 720 Suemac Road between Broadway Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue
REAL ESTATE NUMBER: 005134 0050
DEVIATION SOUGHT:

Sec. 656.1215(a)(1): Reduce the landscape buffer between vehicle use area along
Suemac Road and Broadway Avenue from ten feet per linear feet of frontage/ five
feet minimum width required to 0 feet per linear feet of frontage and 0 feet minimum
width.

Sec. 656.1215(a)(3): Reduce the number of trees along Suemac Road and Broadway
Avenue from 7 required to 3 trees.

Sec. 656.1215(b)(1): Reduce the perimeter landscape buffer area between vehicle
use area and abutting property along the north property boundary from five feet
minimum width required to 0 feet.

Sec. 656.1215(b)(2): Reduce the number of trees along the north property boundary
from 2 required to 0 trees.
PRESENT ZONING: IL
CURRENT LAND USE: LI
PLANNING DISTRICT: 5
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 10
OWNER:
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
100 Grainger Parkway
Lake Forest, IL 60045
SIGNS POSTED: 3
AGENT:
John H. Moye, PE
3738 Southside Boulevard, Suite 101
Jacksonville, FL 32216
STANDARDS, CRITERIA AND FINDINGS
1. Is this situation unique or similar
to other properties in the
neighborhood?
Recommendation:
There are a number of
properties in the area developed with limited
landscaping compared to the modern standard now
required by code. In this instance the existing
parking lot and site plan as configured predates
the current landscape code. However the site is
unique in that it is a light industrial use being
reconfigured to retail use in support of the
remaining light industrial uses in the area.
Findings:
2. There are practical and
economic difficulties in carrying out
the strict letter of the regulation in
that…
Recommendation:
Yes. Utilizing the existing
structure, parking lot, and overall site layout and
adding the additional parking required to support
the use as proposed, limits the total potential
landscaped area and the opportunity for perimeter
landscaping.
Findings:
3. The request is not based
exclusively upon a desire to reduce
the cost of developing the site, but
would accomplish a result that is in
the public interest.
Recommendation: Yes. The reuse of the building
and the current on-site infrastructure as configured
would return a vacant and underutilized property
back to use. The proposed use would result in
retail of items in support of neighboring light
industrial uses, as well as providing for additional
opportunities for employment.
Findings:
4. The proposed deviation will not
substantially diminish property
values in, nor alter the essential
character of the area surrounding
the site and will not substantially
interfere with or injure the rights of
others whose property would be
affected by the deviation, in that…
Recommendation:
Yes.
The
surrounding
properties are light industrial in nature, with little
existing landscaping, which would likely benefit
from the reuse of the subject site for supporting
service retail as proposed. The limited existing
landscaping currently on site is complimentary to
the proposed use and to the existing neighboring
uses and will remain as indicated in the
application.
Findings:
5. The proposed deviation will not
be detrimental to the public health,
safety, or welfare, result in
additional public expense, the
creation of nuisances, or conflict
with any other applicable law, in
that…
Recommendation: Yes. The reuse of the vacant
light industrial property for retail purposes
specializing in hardware and other supporting
products and building materials would be of direct
and immediate benefit to the light industrial uses
adjacent to the site. The landscape deviations as
requested reflect the existing conditions on-site.
Findings:
6. The effect of the proposed
deviation is in harmony with the
spirit and intent of the Zoning Code.
Recommendation: Yes. The proposed retail of
building materials, hardware and industrial supply
products is an approved use of the property,
currently zoned IL. The deviations as proposed
enable the site to benefit from the existing building
and parking lot configurations.
Findings:
7. The City landscape architect
(has/has not) recommended the
proposed deviation.
8. The existing violation was not
created by the applicant with intent
to violate the Zoning Code.
Recommendation: See attached.
Findings:
Recommendation: N/A
Findings:
PLANNER RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE with the following condition:
Prior to requesting a final building inspection or occupying the facility in any
manner, the lead horizontal and lead vertical design professionals shall
submit to the Planning Department separate certification letters confirming
that all horizontal and vertical components of the development have been
substantially completed, and all conditions to the development order have
been satisfied. This condition shall apply to both phased and non-phased
developments.
DATE OF REPORT: November 4, 2016
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR’S DECISION:
DATE:
Aerial view of site.
Subject site facing southwest from northernmost entrance off Suemac Road.
Subject site facing northwest from southernmost entrance off Suemac Road.
Southern boundary of subject site facing west, showing existing conditions and
lack of available unencumbered property adjacent to right-of-way.
Neighboring property to the north facing north along right-of-way from
northernmost entrance to subject site off Suemac Road.
Neighboring property to the north facing northwest from northernmost entrance
to subject site off Suemac Road.
Property line with neighbor to the north facing west, showing existing conditions
and lack of available unencumbered property adjacent to right-of-way.
Neighboring property east of subject across Suemac Road, facing northeast.
Neighboring property east of subject across Suemac Road, facing southeast.
Neighboring property southeast of subject across intersection of Suemac Road and
Broadway Avenue, facing southeast.
Neighboring property south of subject site across Broadway Avenue.
Posted sign.
IBP
PUD
IBP
PUD
CCG-1
CCG-1
SANDYMAC ROAD
CCG-1
CCG-1
COMMONWEALTH AVENUE
CCG-1
IL
I NT
ER
ST
AT
E-
295
PUD
IL
IL
PBF-1
IH
SUEMAC ROAD
BROADWAY AVENUE
IL
IL
IL
IL
REQUEST SOUGHT:
N
W
E
S
#
0 100 Feet
COUNCIL DISTRICT:
REDUCE
LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS
APPLICATION NUMBER:
AD-2016-0072
Exhibit 2
10
CURRENT PLANNING DIVISION
27 October 2016
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Sean Kelly, Zoning Administrator
FROM:
Bruce Lewis, City Planner Supervisor
SUBJECT:
AD-16-72 720 Suemac Road / Real Estate Number: 005134-0050
Scope:
Applicant seeks the following relief:

Sec. 656.1215 (a)(1): Reduce the required landscape buffer between vehicle use area
along Suemac Road and Broadway Avenue from 10 feet per linear feet of frontage / 5
feet minimum width to 0 feet per linear feet of frontage and 0 feet minimum width.

Sec. 656.1215 (a)(3): Reduce the required number of trees along Suemac Road and
Broadway Avenue from 7 to 3 trees.

Sec. 656.1215 (b)(1): Reduce the required perimeter landscape buffer area between
vehicle use area and abutting property along the north property boundary from 5 feet
minimum width required to 0 feet.

Sec. 656.1215 (b)(2): Reduce the required number of trees along the north property
boundary from 2 trees to 0 trees.
Observations:
The subject property was originally constructed before the current landscape code was
adopted. The applicant seeks to convert the property from light industrial uses to the retail sales
building products and materials. The applicant requests relief from the minimum landscape
requirements of Part 12. The existing site configuration does not otherwise permit adherence to
the landscape requirements of the Zoning Code.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
214 North Hogan Street, Suite 300  Jacksonville, Florida 32202  Phone: 904.255.7800  Fax: 904.255.7884  www.coj.net
AD-16-72
Page 2
Recommendation:
As a City Planning Supervisor of the City of Jacksonville, I understand the request
contained in Application AD-16-72 and forward my opinion to the Zoning Administrator via this
memo.
For the reasons cited above and others, I recommend that the request be APPROVED.
Signature: ___________________________________Date: 27 October 2016
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
214 North Hogan Street, Suite 300  Jacksonville, Florida 32202  Phone: 904.255.7800  Fax: 904.255.7884  www.coj.net