In its October meeting Monday afternoon, the Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals approved a request by the owners of the Apex shopping center of Mason McKnight Jr. Parkway, moving along a continuing project at the development.
The Shoppes at the Apex, owned by the McKnight-Engler development firm, requested variances from Richmond County’s zoning ordinance to reduce the setbacks on an eight-acre property at 102 Mason McKnight Jr. Parkway, intersected with NW Frontage Road.
The petition sought to reduce the front setbacks of the property along Mason McKnight Jr. Parkway from 40 feet to 20 feet, and from 30 feet to 10 feet from a setback of the property along NW Frontage Road.
The firm is amid further construction at the mixed-used development, which houses Northern Tool, recently opened Boot Barn, and a Floor Décor is forthcoming. Augusta Planning staff noted that the company is currently negotiating a lease in the shopping center for Chef’sStore, a wholesale food provider by US Foods.
The concept plan for the proposed wholesale food store shows it situated within the front setbacks along the Mason McKnight Jr. and Frontage roads, staff observed. The applicants explained that its plan, designed to allow for customers to park and patronize the multiple businesses throughout the shopping center without moving their vehicles, would requires the requested setback reductions.
With no one attending to oppose the request, and staff recommending approval, the board unanimously voted in favor.
The proposed Chef’sFood store at the Apex development would be the chain’s first location in Georgia.
The board also unanimously approved a petition by developer Brendon Steffes, on behalf of 635 Broad Investment Company, LLC and Morris Communications, for a variance at three parcels on Broad Street. Steffes requested a variance to allow for an overall density of 36 dwelling units per acre, instead of 29 dwelling units per acre, at 613, 619 and 631 Broad St.
Staff did not recommend approval of the variance, but did advise the board conditions to impose, should it vote to approve, including that Steffe’s proposed apartments consist of no more than 36 units.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
