P and Z rejects grocery store plan; recommends moratorium on new commercial construction on SGI

Franklin County’s planning and zoning board will recommend against allowing a new commercial development on St. George Island and will also ask that the Franklin County commission issue a moratorium on any new commercial developments on St. George Island that require new wastewater treatment permits. The P and Z on Tuesday rejected a site plan offered by Olivier Monod for a nearly 8000 square foot commercial building along Franklin Boulevard on St. George Island. Monod said the building would likely house a real estate office as well as a grocery store. P and Z members felt the plan did not meet county zoning codes – even though county planner Alan Pierce felt the project did. Planning and Zoning board member Mary Lou Short said she sees a number of problems with the site plan, including it not providing enough space for loading and unloading goods and not meeting county parking requirements. A number of St. George Island residents also spoke out against the site plan – the concerns ranged from potential traffic issues to concerns about how much trash a grocery store would create. The P and Z voted 5 to 2 to recommend that the county commission reject the project. The board also agreed to recommend that the county commission issue a moratorium for any commercial development in the St. George Island commercial district that requires a new wastewater permit. The P and Z feels that that the county should first address ongoing beach water quality issues on St. George Island before allowing more development that could put a greater strain on water quality on the island. The motion to recommend a moratorium was approved on a 6 to 1 vote.