A proposed riverfront estate along a Fort Caroline bluff is procedurally a step closer to development.
The Jacksonville Planning and Development Department recommended the city zoning administrator, who is part of the department, approve an administrative deviation for the development. Zoning is within the department’s Development Services Division.
The project was on the Friday agenda of an administrative deviation hearing at City Hall.
An agent for contractors and property owners Marc and Nicole Padgett requested an increase in the maximum height of their proposed new home from 35 to 50 feet; an increase in the maximum height of the fence in the front yard from 4 feet to 6 feet; and a reduction in the rear yard from 25 feet to 1 foot for the fishing garage setback from the St. Johns River.
Zoning Administrator Sean Kelly said he would create findings for the General Counsel’s Office to prepare a final order. He said it should take about a week for the order to be issued, followed by a 14-day appeal period to the Planning Commission.
Pending no appeal, he said the Padgetts can pull permits.
The Padgetts, owners of Summit Contracting Group Inc., assembled more than 5 acres among three lots at 13001 Fort Caroline Road in East Arlington’s Fort Caroline area.
The property is on a bluff overlooking the St. Johns River and slopes to the river for waterfront access.
The Padgetts propose to build a three-level, more than 16,000-square-foot home, plus two guest houses and two storage structures, including the fishing garage. A hobby garage already exists.
In the main house, they wanted a first level for entertainment and two upper levels for family living. Outside on two levels, they’ve designed an infinity pool and other recreational elements.
They propose a gated security fence.
The site, which has been cleared, is along a line of other river bluff homes. The property is near the Fort Caroline National Monument and Ribault Monument, which are part of the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve.
Marc Padgett founded Summit Contracting Group 10 years ago. It has built more than 10 million square feet of commercial space and more than 90,000 multifamily units across at least 32 states.
Marc Padgett serves on the Downtown Investment Authority and Nicole Padgett is on the Planning Commission.
The city is reviewing building permits that show a construction cost of $3.58 million for the structures, not counting the dock, landscaping, furnishings and other details.