A proposed miniature golf course and amusement facility in St. Johns County hit a hurdle Dec. 18 when the county Planning and Zoning Agency voted to recommend denial of a pair of requests that would advance it.
The vote was 5-2 on a rezoning for Nothing Putt Fun & Games that would permit an expanded mix of commercial and tourism-related uses along major roads and a request for a special use permit to serve alcohol at a proposed on-site restaurant and food trucks. Plans for the two-story, 32,000-square-foot facility include a 22,000-square-foot outdoor course, arcade games and a full bar.
The facility is planned on 2.78 acres of a 4.5-acre site at 7250 and 7280 U.S. 1 N., about a half-mile south of International Golf Parkway.
Agency board members Richard Hilsenbeck, Chuck Labanowski, Greg Matovina, Robert Olson and Judy Spiegel voted to deny the rezoning. Henry Green and Meagan Perkins voted to advance it.
Among agency concerns were negative impacts on traffic, noise and environmental factors.
“The biggest problem that I have with this application is the impact on the wetlands. Almost 68% of this property is wetlands, and you look like you’re impacting all of them,” Spiegel told Christina Evans of Gulfstream Design Group, a representative for applicant Barrett Tennant. “It looks like every square inch is going to be packed in there.”
Resident Yvonne March expressed concerns about how the project would affect her property value, particularly with the clearing of trees on the site to make way for new construction.
“Great idea. However, it’s going to be right in my backyard,” she said.
The land for Nothing Putt Fun & Games comprises two parcels owned by St. Augustine-based Reit LLC.
Civil engineer Gulfstream Design Group submitted the requests to the county July 10 and Aug. 4.
According to the rezoning application, the goal is to “create memorable experiences for families, friends, and groups while promoting social interaction and active recreation.”
Barrett Tennant is overseeing the project through Nothing Putt Fun & Games LLC.
A former sales manager for Breakthru Beverage Group, he said after the meeting that he is seeking a single investor to help finance the project. Breakthru Beverage is headquartered in New York and Cicero, Illinois.
Tennant called the location ideal due to its proximity to St. Augustine and particularly the Palencia master-planned community, which has a median household income of $115,574, according to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty website.
Nothing Putt Fun & Games would be about a half-mile south of Palencia, which is about 5 miles north of St. Augustine.
In addition to the indoor and outdoor golf courses, Tennant said the facility’s “wow factors” will include a full bar with a “19th hole,” food trucks, televisions, and a mix of classic and current arcade games. Site plans show 117 parking spaces.
The St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing an application for an environmental resource permit, required in Florida for most construction that could affect surface water flow, wetlands or water quality.
PZA is a recommending body. It will send its recommendation to the full Board of County Commissioners, which will make a final determination.