The Flagler Beach Planning and Architectural Review Board had a workshop and a regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. Several projects were approved and one request to convert a home into a resort dwelling (short-term rental) was denied. The board is a recommending board, their recommendations go to the City Commission for a final vote.
Workshop: walls, parking, commercial study
The group began the workshop with some clean up items to city codes. Lots of discussion centered around walls and fences. The board members agreed to limit screening and privacy walls to 6 feet in commercial areas. A wall cannot be built on one side of the retaining wall to appear taller on the other side neighbor. Members also talked about having screening walls set back from the line of demarcation to allow for maintenance. There was some concern that a 2-foot setback on both sides of a skinny commercial lot would make it almost impossible to build on. Board member Lisa Smith stated, “it would create even a bigger nightmare.” The board agreed to clarify the language to masonry is a “wall” and wood or metal is a “fence.” They asked staff to bring some examples from other cities. They also defined the size of parking (9-by-18 feet in the downtown core, 10-by-20 feet elsewhere), added the size of a golf-cart parking space, and cleaned up the language dealing with grading.
The board then heard a study of the tourist commercial zoning (mostly along A1A). Staff stated in the comprehensive plan homes are allowed in commercial areas only in mixed-use “nodes.” However, the code allows stand-alone homes, which reduces the commercial tax base. The data showed that half of the tourist commercial land is being used for housing. Most of the commercial buildings are decades old with the most recent built in 2004. Staff presented the options from no change to a requirement for a commercial ground floor. Members gravitated to encouraging mixed-use “infill,” but still allowing short-term rentals.
Regular meeting: rezoning denied
During the regular meeting, the board recommended denying two interwoven requests at the intersection of 17th Street and North Ocean Shore Boulevard. The owner of the home wanted to change the land use to commercial and rezone the property to tourist commercial to operate as a “resort dwelling” or short-term rental. Staff stated the request did not comply with the comprehensive plan.
Board members revealed they received 15 to 30 emails most of them negative, and several residents spoke in opposition to the request. Residents were concerned it would open the door to other uses and set a precedent for other lots in the area. “It could become anything in that neighborhood,” resident Mary Lauk stated. The city attorney reminded the board their standard was “competent substantial evidence” not their opinion. The board voted to recommend denying both the land use amendment and the rezoning unanimously.
Mini golf course approved
The board recommended approving a special exception for a new mini golf course, Flagler Mini Golf, at 1000 South Ocean Shore Boulevard. Dennis Baer, spoke for the Casper family who will construct the mini golf course. The family is also rehabbing the White Orchid and wants to be “good neighbors.” He mentioned they will use special golf balls that don’t bounce like real ones and will have netting to keep golf balls from crossing over to A1A.
Staff and the applicant’s consultants stated the mini golf course will have turtle-friendly lighting that goes down to the ground, a noise wall and buffer of landscaping to the homes to the west, and there will be no bar or restaurant. The board recommended approval with conditions. The mini golf course must have a minimum of 37 parking spaces, close at 11 p.m., have on-site lighting that stays on the property and turns off at closing time, except for security lighting. The vote was unanimous.
Golf course clubhouse approved
The board recommended approving the final site plan for the Ocean Palms Golf Course at 3600 South Central Avenue. The site plan features a new clubhouse that is approximately 19,930 square feet (reduced from 30,000 in the previous site plan), a new parking lot, regraded par-3 course, driving range, clubhouse restaurant, and golf shop. Officials noted the city had a purchase agreement for the property and amended their charter to ensure the land remains public golf course.
Staff recommended approval with conditions. They asked the applicant to correct the engineering plan to reflect the size of the clubhouse and add detail for required drainage and screening. One board member was “unhappy with the structure” but hopeful it will improve. The applicant stated they are trying to stay “within code 100%.” The board voted to approve unanimously.
Other business
Staff updated the board on signage and other graphic changes that will move forward as an ordinance. They invited the board to a GIS showcase on Sept. 18 at the Wickline Center. One board member suggested the city should purchase software to regulate short-term vacation rentals. Enforcement has been weak she stated. “I might as well be living in the hallway at the Compass Hotel,” the member stated. Staff agreed to follow up on the program.
The post Flagler Beach Board Backs a Mini Golf Course and Golf Clubhouse, Rejects a Short-Term Rental Rezoning first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
