P and Z tables decision on new business

Franklin County’s planning and zoning board tabled any action this week on a proposed 8000 square foot commercial building on St. George Island. Olivier Monod is seeking approval for the building which would be located directly next door to the St. George Island Trading Company on Franklin Boulevard where the Weichert Realty building now stands. In order to build the structure Monod would have to remove the existing real estate office on Franklin Boulevard as well as the old Island Oasis building on East Gulf Beach Drive. Mister Monod said that about 1200 square feet of the new building will be used for a real estate office – the rest would be for some other form of retail – possibly a grocery store. There is plenty of opposition to the plan; about 40 people attended the P and Z meeting this week raising a number of concerns ranging from sewer issues to parking and traffic problems. The Planning and Zoning board voted to table the issue for up to 2 years while a comprehensive plan is created for St. George Island, though that decision will have to get final approval from the county commission. The county commission will consider the issue next Tuesday morning.