0:02 We are going to call this meeting to order.
0:04 Welcome to the land use and zoning committee.
0:06 It is May 19th at 5 o'clock.
0:09 We're going to go ahead and get started here with introductions to the left.
0:13 Good afternoon, Councilman Reginald Gaffney, Julia, District 8.
0:17 Good afternoon, Rory Diamond, District 13, the Beaches.
0:20 Joe Carlucci, district 5.
0:21 Good afternoon, Councilman Raul Arias, District 11.
0:25 Uh Terrence Freeman at large group one.
0:27 Randy White, District 12.
0:29 Terrence Harvey, Opposite General Counsel.
0:32 Aaron Abney, Planning Department.
0:37 So we've got quite a few deferrals on the agenda today.
0:42 Yeah, so next next cycle is going to be pretty tough.
0:45 So we'll go ahead and go through these.
0:47 But before we get started, now that our other pages here, we'll introduce our pages tonight.
0:52 We have Elise Farkinson and we have Victoria Grissom.
0:56 So go ahead and please stand up.
1:03 I said y'all pick the best meeting to come to.
1:05 Y'all can y'all can sit down, but uh yeah, y'all picked one of the best meetings to come to.
1:10 So all righty, we'll go ahead and get started here.
1:12 Item number one, 2026-122 is deferred.
1:16 Item number two, 2026-123 is deferred.
1:21 Item number three, 2026-124.
1:24 We're gonna go and open the public hearing.
1:26 We have one speaker card.
1:37 This is Tater fucking salad.
1:41 This fingers for anyone who fucking votes.
1:44 All right, you're out of order.
1:48 That was your first warning.
1:49 You're out of order.
1:50 You use profanity again.
1:52 You're still out of order.
1:55 You're out of order.
1:58 We have no other speaker cars.
1:59 We'll continue this public hearing until 721 26.
2:02 Item number four, 2026, 125.
2:05 Open the public hearing.
2:08 We'll continue this public hearing until 721 26.
2:11 Item number five, 2026, 126.
2:14 This items deferred.
2:15 Item number six, twenty twenty-six one twenty-seven.
2:17 This items deferred.
2:18 Item number seven, twenty twenty-six-273-273.
2:22 Council members, please declare your ex parte communication at this time.
2:26 Seeing none, let's open the public hearing and get a staff report.
2:29 This is conventional rezoning ordinance 2026-0273, seeking to rezone 11.88 acres from RR Acre to PBF 1.
2:38 The property is owned and operated by JEA and is used for essential services.
2:43 The development for the site is the JEAH2O Water Purification Center.
2:48 The PBF 1 zoning district is intended for all lawful government uses.
2:52 And the zoning code specifies that land use used for government function should be located within this district.
2:58 Rezoning to PBF 1 will not only align the property with its governmental use, but it also will allow for increased signage, which is currently restricted under the residential zoning designation of the property.
3:10 Staff has reviewed the request and finds that the proposed rezoning is consistent with the comp plan.
3:14 It has existing land use category of LDR where PVF 1 is the secondary zoning district.
3:19 The subject property is located east of Southside Boulevard and adjacent to an existing JEA power facility, which is also zoned BBF 1.
3:28 So we find that the proposed rezoning is consistent and compatible with the surrounding uses.
3:32 So we forward a recommendation of approval.
3:34 Application was heard by planning commission on May 7th.
3:36 There were no speakers in opposition and little discussion, and they voted unanimously for approval.
3:41 All right, thank you so much.
3:43 And sir, we do have to ask you to sit down regarding the council rules and decorum.
3:50 So with that, we have no speaker cards.
3:53 Well, hold on, let's close the public hearing and bring it back to committee.
3:57 All right, we are moving the bill.
3:58 Do we have a second?
4:00 We have a motion and second on the bill, and we want to go ahead and recognize Councilmember Johnson.
4:03 Thank you for joining us.
4:04 We are on item number seven, 2026 273 with a motion and a second with no discussion.
4:09 So let's open the ballot, record your vote.
4:16 Subnace, you're on ace.
4:18 By erection, you've approved 226, 273.
4:21 Oh, Councilmember Gaffney, you recognize.
4:31 Item number eight, twenty twenty-six two seventy-four.
4:33 Let's open the public hearing.
4:35 We'll continue this public hearing till 6226.
4:38 Item number nine, 2026, 275.
4:40 Council members, please declare your ex parte communication at this time.
4:45 Seeing none, let's open the public hearing and get a staff report.
4:48 This is zoning exception ordinance 2026-0275 for property located at 8602 Bay Meadows Road, and it's seeking to allow for the retail sales and service of all alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption in conjunction with a restaurant.
5:04 And this would also include outside seating and sales and service within that outside seating area.
5:09 The proposed restaurant is located within a multi-tenant shopping center, which is zone CCG 1.
5:14 This particular unit was previously approved for the same request back in 2021.
5:19 So the previous restaurant was 904 sports bar and grill, and that was approved through exception E 2103.
5:26 Due to exceptions being granted to individual licenseholder, each new restaurant owner must come and seek a new zoning exception.
5:32 So that's why the request is before you today.
5:35 Staff has reviewed the request and finds it's consistent with the comp plan, is compatible with surrounding uses, and this is located along a commercial corridor with several restaurants that also serve alcohol, and then many of the restaurants do include outside seating.
5:48 So because of these reasons and those in the staff report, we forward a recommendation of approval.
6:04 I see that you're uh here to support and I guess questions only.
6:09 You're the owner of the property.
6:13 Let's go ahead and close public hearing, but we'll bring it back to committee.
6:17 All right, we have a motion, a second on the bill.
6:20 Um we have one speaker in the queue, Mr.
6:24 All right, thank you, Chair.
6:25 This is in my district.
6:26 I'm gonna uh vote on it now, but once I'm done, if you don't mind just meet with me in the green room, I'll I'll just want to chat with you about the business since we haven't spoken yet.
6:35 Right, okay, thank you.
6:37 Yeah, uh, so we have a motion and a second on 2026 275.
6:42 Let's open the ballot, record your vote.
6:54 All right, by your action, you've approved 226 275.
6:58 Council Member Arius would like to speak with you in the green room.
7:02 All right, that takes us to item number 10, 2026 276.
7:08 Council members, please declare your ex parte communication you have at this time.
7:12 Seeing none, let's open the public hearing and get a staff report.
7:15 This is sign waiver ordinance 2026-0276, seeking to reduce the required setback for an existing sign from 10 feet to zero feet.
7:24 The subject property is located at 6680 Powers Avenue.
7:27 It's at the corner of Powers Avenue and Toledo Road and is developed with a gas station convenience store.
7:32 The applicant is seeking to make renovations to the existing sign on the property, which has been there since at least 2002.
7:39 While the setback reduction is to zero, the location of the sign is approximately 15 feet back from the edge of payment, ensuring that standard site triangle is still maintained.
7:49 If the sign were required to be moved to meet the required setback, it would impede the traffic flow on the property with the sign being located within existing drive aisles that are around the fuel pump.
8:01 We do not find that the request would create signage out of character for the area as surrounding properties were all developed around the same time with similar signage setbacks along Powers Avenue.
8:10 So for these reasons and those in the staff report, we forward a recommendation of approval.
8:14 All right, thank you so much.
8:16 We have one speaker card, Annabelle Susi.
8:20 Come on down, set your name and address, and you have three minutes.
8:30 My name is Annabelle Susi, 6432 Southeast 115th Lane, Bellevue, Florida, 34420.
8:37 Today I'm representing the owners of 68 6680 powers ab for seeking the approval of the proposed sign waiver to reduce the setback from 10 foot to zero foot.
8:48 The signage proposed does not encroach the sign site triangle and will be a reface for the existing cabinets only.
8:55 Granting this sign waiver will not excuse a sign from meeting any of the other zoning codes.
9:01 Thank you for your time today.
9:05 All right, thank you.
9:07 We have no other speaker cards.
9:08 Let's close the public hearing and bring back to committee.
9:11 Motion and second on the bill.
9:14 No one in the queue.
9:23 By your action, you've approved 226 276.
9:26 Item number 11, 2026, 289 is deferred.
9:29 And I'm gonna go ahead and read off the next couple of pages of deferrals all in a row, and then that'll take us to our next uh action item.
9:38 So the following bills are deferred 2026 290 291 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306 brings us to item number 29, 2026 307.
9:57 Council members, please declare your ex parte communication at this time.
10:01 Seeing none, let's open the public hearing and get a staff report.
10:04 This is sign waiver ordinance 2026-0307, seeking to reduce the required setback for a new sign on the property from 10 feet to 6 feet.
10:12 The subject property is located at 7575 Melbourne Road.
10:16 This is at the corner of Melvin Road and Ricker Road and is developed again with a gas station and convenience store.
10:21 The applicant is seeking to replace an existing sign on the property with a new sign in the same exact location.
10:27 The existing sign has been in its current location since the 1980s.
10:31 While the setback request is six feet from the property line, um the sign is actually located 25 feet back from the edge of payment, ensuring that again the site triangle is maintained.
10:41 If the sign were required to be moved, it would be within the traffic flow or existing drive awesome on the property.
10:48 We find that the proposed waiver will not be detrimental to the public health safety or welfare as the sign is not located within any site triangle for vehicular traffic and would not have an adverse effect on vehicular traffic off site.
11:01 So for these reasons and those in the staff report, we forward a recommendation of approval.
11:05 Alright, thank you so much.
11:06 And we want to welcome councilwoman Clark Murray.
11:09 Thank you for being here.
11:10 And just in time, so uh we have one speaker card, Annabelle Susi.
11:20 You can stay down front if you have a couple more.
11:22 I have the next one, yeah.
11:26 My name is Annabelle Susi, addresses on file.
11:30 Today I am representing the property located at 7575 Melbourne Road.
11:37 This sign, I know she said that it was going to be a brand new sign going in the existing sign location.
11:43 We are only looking to replace the cabinets on replacing the cabinets but using the existing poll and the existing butter.
11:51 So no major changes besides swapping out the cabinet that's there.
11:56 Very professional designed cabinet.
12:00 All right, we have no other speaker cards, so we will close the public hearing and bring back to committee.
12:08 All right, we have a motion second on the bill.
12:10 Councilwoman Clark Murray, you're recognized.
12:13 I come back, please.
12:15 Um, through the chair to Miss Abney.
12:19 I I caught the majority of what you were saying.
12:22 I just want to make sure that the reason for moving the sign back.
12:28 Um, reducing the foot the frontage footage is what again?
12:33 Through the chair to councilwoman Clark Murray.
12:36 Um, so the proper or the existing sign that has been there since the 80s is currently six feet back from the property line.
12:42 They're making changes to the sign, which is triggering them need to bring it into compliance.
12:47 Code requires 10 feet sign is existing six.
12:50 So instead of having to move it back, which would impede traffic flow on the site, they're requesting for the reduction.
12:56 So from 10 feet required to six feet, which is what's there today.
13:01 Thank you so much for that.
13:02 Do they chair to the applicant's representative missus?
13:08 Um, so with this move, is is the business has been there or the sign has been there since the 80s.
13:16 Is there like a sidewalk there or is it are there any um like um pedestrian ways or anywhere anywhere near paths or any anywhere near the sign?
13:30 Okay, no sidewalks or anything.
13:32 Thank you so much for that.
13:33 All right, thank you, Chair.
13:34 Alright, yes, ma'am.
13:35 So we have a motion, a second, no other speakers in the queue.
13:38 Let's open the ballot.
13:47 By your action, you've approved 2026 307.
13:50 Item number 30, 2026 308.
13:53 Council members, please declare your export A communication at this time.
13:57 Seeing none, let's open the public hearing and get a staff report.
13:59 This is sign waiver ordinance 2026-0308 seeking to reduce the required setback for an existing sign on a property from 10 feet to zero feet.
14:10 Subject property is located at 5406 Timaquana Road at the corner of Temaquara and Katoma Street and is developed with again a gas station and convenience store.
14:20 The applicant is seeking to make renovations to the existing sign, which has been in its current location since 1987.
14:27 We find the sign is located far enough back from the edge of payment.
14:30 That site triangle is still achieved.
14:32 And again, the sign has existed in its current location since the 80s without any issues.
14:37 If the sign were required to be moved back to meet the required setback, it would impede the traffic flow on the property, and the sign would be located within existing drive aisles.
14:46 We find that the request would create signage, would not create signage out of character for the area as surrounding properties.
14:53 We're all developed around the same time with similar signage setbacks.
14:56 So if there's reasons in those in the staff report, we forward a recommendation of approval.
15:01 Alright, we thank you.
15:03 We have one speaker card, Annabelle Susi.
15:10 And about SUCI address on file.
15:30 We have no other speaker cars.
15:31 We'll close public hearing and bring back to committee.
15:35 We have a motion and second on the bill.
15:38 No one in the queue.
15:40 Let's open the ballot.
15:40 Of course you vote.
15:49 Seven years, zero nays.
15:51 By your action, you've approved 2026 308.
15:56 The who's got the cards.
15:58 Are we done with the cards?
16:01 Um let's go ahead to the next one.
16:06 So item number 31, 2026 309, open the public hearing.
16:10 We'll continue this public hearing until 616 26.
16:13 Item number 32, 2026 310.
16:16 We'll open the public hearing.
16:17 No speaker cards, but we will.
16:19 Councilmember White, did you want to speak?
16:21 Oh wait, we do have a bunch of speaker cards.
16:24 Did you want to speak after or before?
16:26 Yeah, I'll speak before, and then uh I wanted to let the folks that's here.
16:29 I did defer this because I told the folks in the audience I would see them Sunday or Monday.
16:34 I got tied up out of town.
16:35 That's why I deferred it, and I'm waiting for a legal opinion, something about the road.
16:40 I don't want to let them know they certainly can speak, but there won't be no action taken tonight.
16:49 You'll get to speak.
16:50 You'll get you'll still get to speak if you want to.
16:55 So we'll we have the uh public hearing open and it's gonna be continued until 6 2, but we will go through the cards.
17:02 So first up, we have Zanora Jano.
17:22 Yeah, name and address.
17:24 Uh yes, uh Genora Jana, and uh the address is uh Zero Boots Lane.
17:29 Uh I think it's Jacksonville, Florida.
17:32 So I buy this uh property, it's just an empty lot uh six years ago, and uh since then, um I didn't know that you they could you I could not build anything, and uh so I just uh need the application to get uh because I want to build like a single home, and uh they require something on that lot.
17:58 I don't really understand because it's not uh wide enough, or I don't know what is about that road, the main road.
18:06 These like five year olds or country road, and uh, so but um I see other neighbors, they uh they already have uh like a trailer home or homes over there building, but I don't know their neighbors who are that, you know.
18:25 So yeah, I buy these six years ago in 2020, and um so I've been paying taxes since that time every year.
18:35 Okay, if that's all, then that's that's good.
18:38 Good council member white.
18:41 When the rest of the speakers finish, I would like to see you in the green room and explain it a little bit to you.
18:49 Yeah, so just you can have a seat and then after the all the speakers uh come up, yeah.
18:53 You can see Council Member White in the green room.
18:54 All right, next we have Jamie Crawford.
19:00 Uh is in opposition, uh, does not wish to speak.
19:03 Um Richard Michael Smith.
19:10 Is in opposition and does not wish to speak.
19:28 I have public speaking, so or public speaking, right?
19:32 All right, so name and address.
19:35 City council members.
19:36 My name is Megan Graciani, and I live at 9222 Boots Lane.
19:40 I'm currently going through a divorce and a custody battle, and all through the instability of my life right now.
19:46 My home and neighborhood are the only place that my child feels saved and grounded.
19:50 And this why, this is why the issue matters so deeply.
19:53 Boots Lane is one of the few remaining areas on the west side that still feels quiet, rural, and community oriented.
19:59 It is a road where children can still play, neighbors know each other and help each other out, and families feel safe.
20:04 My son plays basketball, football, rises, golf cart, and bike until the street lights are on, and that's the kind of environment that is becoming harder and harder to find over the last several years.
20:15 Our areas has already seen mass developments, farmland, wooded properties that have been replaced with housing housing development and commercial buildings, bringing increasing traffic and congested into our small road and surrounding neighborhoods.
20:30 We're already seeing effects in increasing of trespassing around our pond area, drug-related activity, and homeless activity near the church in interest of our street.
20:40 My concern is not only emotional, but it is practical.
20:43 This proposed will increase property, this will impact property values, traffic flow, drainage, utilities, and the character of our neighborhood.
20:52 Years ago, the residents were told restrictions prevented building on the lot due to road limitation and size requirement.
21:00 The previous owner of the Zero Booth Lane had already invested a foundation work, which was denied the ability to complete the construction, yet the same restrictions appear to be flexible, and the same size now appears to meet the required standards under this proposal.
21:17 Residents were also previously told that the road were to ever be paved, including privately, it would become a two-lane road.
21:26 Meanwhile, other private easement roads in the county have been paved without the same requirements, raising concerns consistency and fairness.
21:34 There is also no plan and increased traffic management, emergency access, or school capability.
21:42 Our public and charter schools are already strained, and there is no visible plan on expanding or relieve as development continues.
21:51 If this moves forward, who's going to be responsible when relocating and replacing our mailboxes, utility poles, power lines, sprinklers, and easement related structures.
22:01 Will the residents be compromised for the portion of the property we have maintained and paid taxes on through our own inner our own ownership?
22:11 Residents on our private road who already worked together for years to reduce the wear and tear and consolidating trash and road waste collected at the end of the road ourselves.
22:21 And lastly, I also take consideration of the environmental impact.
22:25 Wildlife in the area has already been pushed out in developments as we see animals and rely on what the wooded wooded space remains.
22:35 Next we have Robert W.
22:41 Sorry if I mispronounced that.
22:56 Robert Reinhardt ninety one eighty six Boots Lane.
22:59 My neighbor covered pretty much everything I got to say.
23:05 It was a private road, according to the planning committee, y'all have taken it over and failed to fail to maintain it.
23:12 So we have to do that.
23:13 And I'm questioning the size of the lot.
23:16 Uh I look for the uh survey stakes, could not find them.
23:21 I'm thinking they use the ones that are in the center of the road which is belongs to the city.
23:27 There's an electrical easement on their property which pushes their property lines further back if I'm not mistaken.
23:35 And I do oppose this we do not want this we the lady that gave this piece of property to her son was a real estate agent.
23:44 Wasn't smart enough to realize she needed one point five acres on our street uh that's not my fault and this lady that bought this I'm sorry that uh she spent that money for something she can't use I let Mother Nature take its course on that lot.
24:02 Thank you for your time.
24:03 All right thank you sir and Councilmember White Yes or I would like to see the folks in opposition first in the green room and then I would like to speak uh to the you ma'am so y'all can go to the green room and I'll give you some more information.
24:18 All right yes sir thank you.
24:20 Item number thirty three twenty twenty six three eleven is deferred.
24:23 Item number thirty four twenty twenty six three forty five open to public hearing one speaker card Ashley Emanz down.
24:37 Yes hi there um Ashley Emmons I live at sixteen sixty one Riverside Avenue so about one block from the property in question and I just wanted to um uh I guess express um the lack of support for this particular project just because it does not seem to be uh in keeping with the architectural integrity and and the beauty of the historic area thank you okay great thank you and next we have item well this public hearing will be continued until six two twenty six item number thirty five twenty twenty six three sixty three and three sixty four are deferred which brings us into our second reading items the following bills are on second reading twenty twenty six three sixty five three sixty six three sixty seven three sixty eight three sixty nine three seventy three seventy one three seventy two three seventy three three seventy four three seventy five and three seventy six.
25:33 All right with that we have no other action items this meeting is adjourned.
28:42 A lot of seniors, a lot of individuals who are out cars, call my office and let me know they can make it to City Hall.
28:50 It's in the area where I live in, you know, we can just walk from our house and come here.
28:55 Coming to greet us and meet us and find out the things that we need in the community instead of going to city hall and can't get to you, you know, whatever.
29:04 But I think it's a great idea, and I think it would motivate the community as well, knowing that you out there doing the work for us.
29:12 So I hope that this is not one thing, not just for our community, but maybe it's great throughout the city of Jacksonville.
29:20 All the other districts and areas are do the same thing.
29:23 Since we've been having these events, we've been averaging anywhere, you know, um, from 20 to 25 people coming on the office on the block.
29:32 So, you know, and some people just want to discuss what's going on in their neighborhood.
29:37 Some people just want to meet me.
29:39 You know, some people, you know, just want to give us ideas.
29:43 All right, just find out what's going on.
29:45 At the end of the day, it's about bridging the gap, meeting the community halfway.
29:49 And that's what we that's why we're here today.
29:52 I just want to take the load off they plate.
29:54 You know, if if I can make their life a lot easier by coming to their homes or coming to their backyard, I I I made a big difference right there.
30:03 So for me, it's how can I make the constituents and the community lives a lot easier?
30:11 That's what we're here for to make a difference.
30:41 Truly, and honestly, our most popular cookie is chocolate chip.
30:44 And truly, once you've had a bite, it's probably gonna become your favorite too.
30:47 But another extremely popular one that we have for Jacksonville is called the Devolved Delight or the Devolved Double Chip.
30:54 And so it's semi-sweet, chocolate chips, walnuts and heath bits, the heat bits kind of caramelized.
31:00 Um, and that one is unique to our city and our store.
31:04 Something that's also unique to us is our frozen dough to go.
31:06 So we are able to package all of our frozen dough, and you are able to bake it in the comfort of your own home.
31:11 We're also looking to get more involved in different community events.
31:14 It's something also that makes cookie fix unique.
31:16 So you will see us out at the J Fund, um, which will be coming up here in early 2026.
31:22 And we look forward to getting more involved with some of the school fundraisers and PTAs.
31:27 So we're very grateful, um, to be here, and thank you, Jacksonville, for all of your support.
32:11 It's the sacrifices, all these men on the wall, 28 men on the wall, the sacrifice I made and their families.
32:18 It means a lot to us to bring their families here and support them and show them the love that the city has for their family members and the JFRD and employees.
32:28 Today is a time for us to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, those who were selflessly serving our city and died in line of duty.
32:40 And so once a year, we come together and not only remember and honor and reflect on what they did for us, but we also make sure the families that they really know that we're all here for them, and that we will never forget their loved ones who have given their all for us.
33:00 And so that's that's what it means for us.
33:03 But also it's a time for us to say it shouldn't just be one day a year.
33:08 So let's make sure every day we remember and respect and honor those who serve us, not only those who have gone before us, but also those who are still serving.
33:20 We need to make sure they understand we have their back, and we're gonna be there for them no matter what.
33:25 So this is a tough job.
33:26 This is a dangerous job, and if we've got to remember them because they'll be unfortunately more names in the future added to this wall.
33:35 We do all we can to make it as safe as we can, but there's things that like they have dangerous, but we've got to always remember them, and we will day spa is a place for women who are dealing with uh any of the challenges of life.
34:05 When you come here, this is a luxury spa that donates a percentage to our private foundation.
34:13 So this is not a non-profit spa, this is a for-profit spa that gives back.
34:24 The stories that I've heard are miraculous, and just getting to give back and love on them has it's been amazing.
34:34 And so if you come, you're a part of that.
34:37 So just coming and getting a massage here.
34:40 You're not only taking care of yourself, but you're giving back.
34:45 Welcome to Jax Plus, Jacksonville's public information television channel, your go-to source for the stories, services, and updates that shape our city.
34:55 From public safety messages and the central news to in-depth profiles, community features, and citywide developments.
35:03 Jax Plus keeps you connected and informed.
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35:13 Updated regularly and available anytime.
35:15 JAX Plus airs on Roku, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and streams live on the City of Jacksonville website.
35:25 This is Jax Plus, please welcome Council Member Rockman Johnson to present a lifetime achievement award.
35:44 And this morning our city gathers again to remember and to recommit to progress.
35:48 Before I move on, I'd like to recognize, although he is not here, it is in the program.
35:52 Our president of the Jacksonville City Council, Kevin Carico, Vice President Nick Holland, and members of the City Council who are there.
35:58 Uh, could you salute my colleagues, please from the city council who work so diligently to ensure, thank you, council members, to make sure these things like this breakfast continues moving.
36:10 Now, today we're standing in a space where history breathes and responsibility listens.
36:15 There are people who understand Dr.
36:17 King's legacy was so much more than just speech speeches.
36:20 It required structure and discipline, but most importantly, love that was strong enough to endure.
36:27 Lenny Hilliard Finley is one of those people who understand.
36:29 Now, at the beginning of this breakfast, there were visionaries like someone seated here with us.