ORANGE PARK – Slayden and Kathleen MacGregor have lived in the Town of Orange Park for more than 30 years.

The serene feel of walking along the St. Johns River, paired with the soft-paced atmosphere, have made them cherish every moment of living in the small town. 

They, along with many other residents, couldn’t imagine it any other way. That was until a sign popped up announcing an application for a new conditional use permit near their neighborhood.

With a proposed liquor store situated just within 300-500 feet of their homes, some residents said it’s mind-boggling.

“The idea of having a drive-thru liquor store open until 11:00 p.m. is mind-numbing to us," Slayden said. 

 An item to transform a money lending facility, between Stiles and Blake Avenues, first came before the town’s Planning and Zoning Board back in March. The 2,646-square-foot building, formerly Lending Bear, is located at 1345 Park Ave.

 Residents filed into the May 14 Planning and Zoning meeting at Town Hall to express their opposition to the project, citing safety concerns. A drive-thru location could bring increased traffic congestion and noise, while more alcohol, they added, could proliferate crime. The MacGregors said it brings a look to the area that residents don’t want.

"To have a liquor store, six houses down from the river, at an entrance to the river, at a very busy intersection...it's senseless. It's ugly," Kathleen said.

With businesses nearby, including a childcare facility and a women's recovery home, Joseph De Marco said residents are calling for stricter regulations to prevent "intrusive" businesses, like the liquor store, from impacting the area.

According to the town, notices of a public hearing for the project were mailed to all residents within 300 feet of the property. And signs were posted at least 15 days in advance. But De Marco said there was still a lack of clear and visible public awareness, which would've allowed residents to participate in the review process in a meaningful way.

"We just feel a lack of trust with how this process came to be," De Marco said.

The Economic and Community Development Department initially denied the project but have since recommended its approval under five conditions: parking must stay on Park Avenue, a parking sign cannot be installed at the entrance of Stiles, the submittal of a landscape plan, coordination with the ECD Department and hours of operation limited to 7 a.m.-9 p.m. for the store, and 9 a.m.-11 p.m. for the drive-thru.

According to town documents, the liquor store was approved to be zoned for conditional use, promoting public health, safety and welfare of residents. A liquor store survey also found that there were no churches or schools within 500 feet of the property—Orange Park Elementary is 730 feet away, while Halle Academy of Higher Learning is 1275 feet away— falling into alignment with the town's conditional use criteria.

Slayden said he still finds concern with the distance.

“To have a liquor store within spitting distance from an elementary school that you can just drive right through the middle of the school, it's just crazy to me," Slayden said. "And there's also pedestrian traffic in the school after hours. We've been through it many times.

Due to discussions with the applicant's attorney, Town Attorney Lawsikia Hodges notified the board that further discussion on the item would be deferred until its next meeting. Hodges said there was a correction that needed to be made to information previously provided to the board.

An additional hearing on the item will take place on Thursday, July 9, at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall Chambers, 2042 Park Ave.