OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jacksonville Land Use & Zoning Committee Meeting - April 7, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 7, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:36:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

All right.

0:09

Good evening.

0:10

It is 5 o'clock, April 7th.

0:12

We are going to go ahead and convene the land use and zoning committee.

0:16

And we will start with introductions to the left.

0:21

Thank you, Mr.

0:21

Chair.

0:21

Rachman Johnson, District 14.

0:24

Good afternoon, Council members on the Afghan Julian, District 8.

0:27

Good evening.

0:29

Rory Diamond, District 13, the beaches.

0:31

I almost forgot.

0:31

Almost forgot.

0:32

Joe Carlucci, District 5.

0:34

Raw Aries, District 11.

0:36

Terrence Freeman at large group one.

0:38

Randy White, District 12.

0:40

Terrence Harvey, opposite general counsel.

0:43

Susan Kelly, Planning Department.

0:45

Karen Abney, Planning Department.

0:47

Casey Cox, Planning Department.

0:50

All right.

0:51

And we want to go ahead and make our introductions of our pages this evening.

0:55

We have Miss Sarah Aegel over here from River City Science Academy.

0:59

Thank you so much for being here.

1:01

And we have Advic Gupta over here.

1:04

He is at Julia Landon College Prep.

1:07

District 5.

1:08

Thank you for being here.

1:10

All right.

1:11

So we are going to have a few like two changes on the agenda today.

1:24

So if everyone will turn to page 14, item 29.

1:32

Oh, I'm sorry.

1:33

Yeah, we're gonna go to item 29, 2026, 172.

1:36

But before we declare ex parte on that, I do want to recognize Councilmember Johnson.

1:40

Thank you so much, Mr.

1:41

Chair, and I appreciate you giving me just a few moments.

1:43

I wanted to recognize the members of the team, Miss Leatris Bell and those other wonderful people who are uh come representing the George Grady Bridge.

1:50

Uh they came tonight and they were planning to speak, but they are still very just passionate about getting the George Brady Bridge open, and I just wanted to recognize them for coming.

1:59

They're not going to speak tonight, but they uh are supportive of trying to make sure that that amenity is available for everybody.

2:05

So thank you all for your tenacity and continuing to move things forward.

2:08

Thank you, Mr.

2:08

Chair.

2:09

All right, thank you all for being here, taking the time out of your day to come down.

2:12

We appreciate that.

2:13

Um, item number 29, 2026 172.

2:18

Council members, please declare any ex parte communication you have at this time.

2:24

Uh believe where is mine.

2:31

Well, let me get my okay.

2:33

Well, I declare ex parte.

2:35

I had a meeting or I had a conversation with Mr.

2:37

Paul Harden today.

2:39

Um, and we'll get that paperwork file with legislative services.

2:42

And if there's anyone else, no one else, um, let's go ahead and open the public hearing and get a staff report.

2:49

Thank you.

2:49

Uh 2026 172 seeks a zoning exception to permit an establishment or facility, which includes the retail sale and service of all alcoholic beverages, not in conjunction with the restaurant uh for on-premise consumption um in the CCG to zoning district.

3:04

The property is being redeveloped as a package store, which will allow for the off-premise consumption and on-premise consumption for a tasting room.

3:11

The off-premise consumption is allowed by right while the on-premise requires the zoning exception.

3:16

Uh, there is a uh companion waiver of liquor distance application, WLD 2602 requesting to reduce the minimum distance between the liquor store license location and a church from 1,500 feet to 232 feet.

3:29

This item was heard by the planning commission on March 19th, where the application was approved.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████64%
Land Use and Zoning███████████16%
Procedural████6%
Community Engagement███4%
Engineering And Infrastructure██3%
Transportation Safety█2%
Public Safety█2%
Cannabis Regulation█1%
Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Jacksonville Land Use & Zoning Committee Meeting - April 7, 2026

The Jacksonville City Council Land Use & Zoning Committee convened on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM in Council Chamber, City Hall, and adjourned at 8:36 PM. Chair Joe Carlucci presided. The committee considered 41 agenda items including rezoning requests, comprehensive plan amendments, zoning exceptions, and waivers. Several items drew extensive public comment, particularly the Morse Avenue land use change and the Mundy Drive frontage waiver. The committee voted to approve multiple items, continued others to April 21, 2026, and deferred several to the next cycle.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Morse Avenue Land Use (2026-0006) & Rezoning (2026-0007): Over 25 residents spoke in opposition, citing rural character, traffic, drainage, safety, and lack of notification. Supporters included applicant Hayden Phillips and developer Ken Atlee, who argued infill and compliance with the comprehensive plan. The committee continued both items to April 21, 2026 after traffic capacity concerns were raised.
  • Mundy Drive Frontage Waiver (2026-0177): Approximately 20 residents opposed, arguing the waiver would set a dangerous precedent, endanger children, increase congestion, reduce property values, and alter neighborhood character. Christine Sasser testified neutrally on behalf of an elderly neighbor. The public hearing was continued to April 21, 2026.
  • Southside Boulevard Land Use (2026-0128) & Rezoning (2026-0129): Keith Langenberg and others opposed, stating the change would introduce industrial uses into a stable residential area and contradict the comprehensive plan. Applicant Michael Herzberg argued the parcels are an inappropriate residential island. Both items were approved.
  • Azalea Grove PUD (2026-0015): Only applicant Brian Small spoke in support. Approved 4-1.
  • Historic Kings Road Land Use (2026-0022) & Rezoning (2026-0023): Applicant Michael Herzberg spoke in support, noting deed restrictions with the community. Approved.
  • Sans Pareil PUD (2026-0130): Applicant Josh Cockrell spoke in support. Approved 5-0.
  • Highway 301 PUD (2026-0131): Applicant Cyndy Trimmer spoke in support. Approved 5-0.
  • Zoning Exception – The Grove (2026-0171): Applicant Lawrence Yancy spoke in support. Committee members noted opposition from a nearby church but found the use appropriate. Approved 6-0.
  • Zoning Exception – Arak Liquors (2026-0172): Chair Carlucci declared ex parte communication. Applicant Paul Harden spoke. Approved 7-0.
  • Zoning Exception – Thai Nine (2026-0173): Applicant Lawrence Yancy spoke. Approved 5-0.
  • Rampart Road Items (2026-0124 & 2026-0125): Bill Lewis, representing the Argyle Area Civic Council, spoke in support of both, citing need for development and traffic safety concerns. Continued.

Discussion Items

  • Morse Avenue Land Use (2026-0006): Staff recommended denial, stating the proposed MDR (up to 20 units/acre) would disrupt the established low-density pattern. The applicant proposed a site-specific policy capping density at 7.9 units/acre (77 single-family homes). Councilmembers debated the 0.9 unit/acre increase over LDR and traffic capacity. Councilmember Diamond noted the close vote but leaned toward approval with conditions; Councilmember Gaffney expressed readiness to vote; Chair Carlucci moved to continue to gather traffic data.
  • Azalea Grove PUD (2026-0015): Staff recommended approval with five conditions. The PUD allows up to 130 cottage home units (single-family, townhomes, or duplexes) on 14.17 acres. Neighboring roads operate at 17% capacity. Councilmember Gaffney voted no due to 30-foot lot widths. Approved 4-1.
  • Historic Kings Road Land Use (2026-0022): Staff recommended denial but planning commission approved. Applicant argued that half the roadway frontage is already industrial/commercial. Approved 6-0.
  • Historic Kings Road Rezoning (2026-0023): Staff recommended denial; planning commission approved. Applicant noted deed restrictions with adjoining subdivision. Approved 5-0.
  • Southside Boulevard Land Use (2026-0128) & Rezoning (2026-0129): Staff recommended denial for both. Applicant argued the parcels are unsuitable for residential use due to proximity to expressway and industrial park. Approved 6-0 and 5-0 respectively.
  • Sans Pareil PUD (2026-0130): Amendment adopted to attach revised PUD description (March 12, 2026). Approved 5-0.
  • Wages Wy Waiver (2026-0174): Amended to correct road frontage reduction from 80 ft to 0 ft; rereferred to April 21, 2026 at Councilmember Gaffney's request to meet with applicant. Approved 5-0.
  • Wages Wy AD (2026-0175): Amended to correct property owner; rereferred to April 21, 2026. Approved 5-0.
  • Anniston Rd Frontage Waiver (2026-0176): Staff recommended approval. No public opposition. Applicant not present. Approved 5-0.
  • Mundy Drive Frontage Waiver (2026-0177): Extensive public opposition. Committee continued to April 21, 2026 without taking a vote.
  • Sign Waiver (2026-0178): Staff recommended approval. No public opposition. Approved 7-0.
  • Second Reading Items: Ordinances 2026-0208 (Wilson Blvd PUD), 2026-0209 (Almeda St rezoning), 2026-0210 (Owens Rd PUD), 2026-0211 (Alta Dr zoning exception), 2026-0212 (Valencia Dr frontage waiver), and 2026-0232 (Riverside historic appeal) were each read second time and rereferred to future meetings.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved:
    • Azalea Grove PUD (2026-0015) – Vote 4-1 (Gaffney opposed).
    • Historic Kings Road Land Use (2026-0022) – Vote 6-0.
    • Historic Kings Road Rezoning (2026-0023) – Vote 5-0.
    • McCargo St Rezoning (2026-0087) – Vote 6-0.
    • Southside Blvd Land Use (2026-0128) – Vote 6-0.
    • Southside Blvd Rezoning (2026-0129) – Vote 5-0.
    • Sans Pareil PUD (2026-0130) – Vote 5-0.
    • Highway 301 PUD (2026-0131) – Vote 5-0.
    • Sherrington St Rezoning (2026-0133) – Vote 5-0.
    • Sherrington St AD (2026-0134) – Vote 5-0.
    • Zoning Exception – The Grove (2026-0171) – Vote 6-0.
    • Zoning Exception – Arak Liquors (2026-0172) – Vote 7-0.
    • Zoning Exception – Thai Nine (2026-0173) – Vote 5-0.
    • Anniston Rd Frontage Waiver (2026-0176) – Vote 5-0.
    • Sign Waiver (2026-0178) – Vote 7-0.
  • Continued to April 21, 2026: Items 2025-0630, 2025-0724, 2026-0006, 2026-0007, 2026-0122, 2026-0123, 2026-0124, 2026-0125, 2026-0126, 2026-0127, 2026-0177.
  • Deferred to April 21, 2026: Items 2026-0164, 2026-0165, 2026-0166, 2026-0167, 2026-0168, 2026-0169, 2026-0170.
  • Rereferred to April 21, 2026 (after amendments):
    • Wages Wy Frontage Waiver (2026-0174) – Vote 5-0 to amend and rerefer.
    • Wages Wy AD (2026-0175) – Vote 5-0 to amend and rerefer.
  • Second reading items rereferred: 2026-0208, 2026-0209, 2026-0210, 2026-0211, 2026-0212, 2026-0232.

Note: The next regular meeting is Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

All right. Good evening. It is 5 o'clock, April 7th. We are going to go ahead and convene the land use and zoning committee. And we will start with introductions to the left. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Rachman Johnson, District 14. Good afternoon, Council members on the Afghan Julian, District 8. Good evening. Rory Diamond, District 13, the beaches. I almost forgot. Almost forgot. Joe Carlucci, District 5. Raw Aries, District 11. Terrence Freeman at large group one. Randy White, District 12. Terrence Harvey, opposite general counsel. Susan Kelly, Planning Department. Karen Abney, Planning Department. Casey Cox, Planning Department. All right. And we want to go ahead and make our introductions of our pages this evening. We have Miss Sarah Aegel over here from River City Science Academy. Thank you so much for being here. And we have Advic Gupta over here. He is at Julia Landon College Prep. District 5. Thank you for being here. All right. So we are going to have a few like two changes on the agenda today. So if everyone will turn to page 14, item 29. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, we're gonna go to item 29, 2026, 172. But before we declare ex parte on that, I do want to recognize Councilmember Johnson. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate you giving me just a few moments. I wanted to recognize the members of the team, Miss Leatris Bell and those other wonderful people who are uh come representing the George Grady Bridge. Uh they came tonight and they were planning to speak, but they are still very just passionate about getting the George Brady Bridge open, and I just wanted to recognize them for coming. They're not going to speak tonight, but they uh are supportive of trying to make sure that that amenity is available for everybody. So thank you all for your tenacity and continuing to move things forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right, thank you all for being here, taking the time out of your day to come down. We appreciate that. Um, item number 29, 2026 172. Council members, please declare any ex parte communication you have at this time. Uh believe where is mine. Well, let me get my okay. Well, I declare ex parte.

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