Palm Coast Approves One Development Project while Flagler County Denies Another

A 54-home development at A1A and Jungle Hut Road is deemed unworthy of the Hammock. Meanwhile, Palm Coast approves a 55+ community of 45 homes and 96 condominiums on Pritchard Dr.

PALM COAST, FL – March 27, 2019 – At their regular meeting on March 18, Flagler Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously overrode the county planning staff’s recommendation when it turned down a developer’s rezoning request that would have allowed a 54-home subdivision on a 12-acre parcel in the Hammock. The parcel is zoned residential/commercial, intending a mix of the two uses. Jacksonville-based Atlee Development Group wanted to change the zoning to Planned Unit Development (PUD), which would offer more flexibility.

Beachwalk

The project, named Beachwalk, met little resistance as it passed through the Technical Review Committee and was approved by the Planning Board. However, the developers were surprised at the BOCC meeting with opposition from the Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway and strong opposition from several residents. Interestingly, when the residents approached the dais, they did not identify themselves as residents of Hammock Beach, Ocean Hammock or Hammock Dunes. They simply said, “I live in the Hammock.” As that area builds out, a cohesive voice is developing.

Opposition centered mainly on the cutting of a significant number of hardwood trees, the 50-foot lot size, density, lack of amenities, and the unimaginative design of the community. Residents and board members did not think the project design was what one would expect in the Hammock.

PROPOSED BEACHWALK SITE PLAN 

American Village

Palm Coast’s Planning and Land Development Review Board on March 20th approved the development of American Village, a 55+ development of 45 single-family homes and three condominium buildings totaling 96 units. Because of the size of the development, city council approval is not required.

AMERICAN VILLAGE SITE MAP

The development is on approximately 17 acres on Prichard Dr. The homes will be between 1,700 and 1,800 square feet. Each of the three condominium buildings will have 10 one-bedroom units and 22 two-bedroom units. Each unit will have a detached garage.

CONDOMINIUM RENDERINGS

The condominiums will surround the interior retention lake and, in turn, be surrounded by the single-family homes. American Village will be gated and have a clubhouse, pool, and a dog park. The developer is Hammock Real Estate Development LLC.

Significantly, American Village is the first new condominium project in Flagler County since the Great Recession.

Toby Tobin: REALTOR®, SRES®

I am a Florida licensed REALTOR®, SRES®, affiliated with Grand Living Realty in Palm Coast, Fla. As a real estate consultant and journalist, I have years of experience and a treasure trove of relevant analytics. I help developers, builders, homebuyers, and sellers achieve improved outcomes with reduced stress, knowing that their real estate decisions are sound and fact-based.

Call me at (386) 931-7124 or email me at Toby@GoToby.com.

Listen to my radio show, Real Estate Matters, every Saturday morning right after the 11:00 A.M. news break on WNZF News Radio 1550 AM or 94.9 FM. Download the Flagler Radio App from the App Store so you can hear Real Estate Matters anywhere in the world.