GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A proposed industrial park on the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 17 and State Road 16 cleared a significant hurdle Tuesday when the City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend its Future Land Use Map for a development that will be known as the Huntley Commerce Center or 17/16 Commerce Center.

If formally approved, the park will sit on a 58.12-acre lot where a manufacturing plant once operated but closed in 2010.

Developers HLM Investments of Orange Park originally approached the council in September to have the property rezoned from Mixed Use to Industrial. The council said it wanted more information and changes to the request before it could be considered.

The group returned after city staff approved the modifications after being satisfied with the frontage design, entrances, lighting, buffering, mechanical equipment screening and signage compliance with Level of Service standards and Future Land Use elements.

The council voted 4-1, with Councilman Ed Gaw dissenting, to advance the request. The developer still must complete a traffic study on how it will affect the already busy intersection.

HLM is expected to bring a final version for approval by May.

In other business, the council approved an official city seal to protect itself against unauthorized use.

Also, they made special exemptions to the Gateway Corridor Neighborhood and Commercial Zonie Districts to allow walls between the street and a property.

Finally, it approved an installment payment of $87,400 to C&H Marine to build a $276,495 extended kayak dock and boat house for the city’s and Clay County Sheriff’s Office police boats.

The city council’s next meeting will be on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. inside City Hall.