OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Land Use & Zoning Committee Meeting Summary - July 21, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 21, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:07:12

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

All right.

0:02

Good evening, everybody.

0:04

It is five o'clock.

0:06

Welcome to the land use and zoning committee.

0:08

It is July 21st at 5 o'clock.

0:11

So we are going to go ahead with introductions to the left.

0:15

We're going to let our council president give us some encouraging onsetting words, and then we will hear a presentation from Mr.

0:26

Hart and then we'll get going.

0:27

So with that, we'll do introductions on the left.

0:29

All right.

0:29

Nick Howland at large group three just visiting.

0:37

Councilman Reginald Gaffney Junior.

0:38

I also want to introduce my two antagons at Nabana John and Liz who um who joining us tonight.

0:43

All right.

0:44

Thank you so much for joining us.

0:45

Joe Carlucci, District 5.

0:48

The prodigal son.

0:50

Kevin Carico, District Floor has returned.

0:53

The universe can exist again.

0:57

Randy White, District 12.

0:59

Terrence Harvey, Office of General Counsel.

1:02

Susan Kelly Planning Department.

1:04

Aaron Abney Planning Department.

1:06

Casey Cox Planning Department.

1:08

All right.

1:09

Thank you, everybody.

1:10

Mr.

1:11

President, please.

1:12

Thank you, Mr.

1:13

Vice President and Mr.

1:14

Chair.

1:14

And uh question for the immediate past, Council President.

1:18

Was it a successful international mission?

1:20

Absolutely.

1:21

All right, good to hear.

1:22

More to come.

1:23

More to come.

1:23

Love hearing it.

1:24

Thank you.

1:25

Uh well, welcome back everybody from Council Break.

1:27

I hope everyone had a um great opportunity to relax and refresh, maybe go to Hawaii.

1:31

Um at least get some time off and time with the family because we're getting going on another council year, and it'll be a big one.

1:40

Um, in fact, uh, we all know that the one big issue that probably the finance committee themselves will have to tackle early on is uh relates to the referendum in November on property tax relief.

1:52

It's looming large on every single county, all 67 right now in the state of Florida as they start their new um years and start looking at their budget approvals uh which cross the whole state, all every county and has to have it done by um October 1st to implement September 30th, actually, so they can implement by October 1st.

2:11

Um that's not your concern on land use and zoning, it's your broader concern on council.

2:16

But um, we have formed what I think is one of the strongest land use and zoning committees um there ever has been.

2:21

You guys know your stuff, all of you, and uh look forward to having a smooth um and productive uh year and uh particularly with uh a steady uh hand at the helm and and vice president Carlucci.

2:33

So thank you all for being here and look forward to uh serving with you in this next year.

2:37

All right, thank you, Council President Howland.

2:39

Uh and I concur this is a strong land use and zoning group.

2:43

We're down two members tonight, but um uh I do appreciate kind of keeping this this core group intact.

2:49

Um we work really well together.

2:51

Uh we we do a good job on compromising on a lot of these zonings and just appreciate you keeping us together.

2:58

So we'll we'll make you proud.

2:59

We'll make you proud down here.

3:00

We'll try to keep council nights uh easy and not not too crazy.

3:05

So with that, uh, want to welcome Councilwoman Clark Murray, Councilmember Johnson.

3:10

Thank you for for being here.

3:12

We will before we go to well, go ahead, Mr.

3:15

Hardin.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use and Zoning█████████████████████████████████████████████61%
Procedural███████████████20%
Homelessness████5%
Community Engagement████5%
Cannabis Regulation███4%
Transportation Safety██3%
Public Safety█1%
Affordable Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Land Use & Zoning Committee Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Land Use & Zoning Committee of the Jacksonville City Council met on July 21, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:07 PM in the Council Chamber, City Hall. Chair Joe Carlucci presided with members Kevin Carrico, Reggie Gaffney Jr., Rahman Johnson, and Randy White present; Rory Diamond (excused for military leave) and Raul Arias (absent without excusal) were not present. Council President Nick Howland attended, and Councilwoman Ju'Coby Clark-Murray attended for items in her district. The committee considered over 40 agenda items, including zoning and land use amendments, a home occupations ordinance, and a zoning exception.

Preliminary Presentation - Submerged Land Lease

Paul Harden, representing the city, presented a request for an amended submerged land lease for the marina at the Four Seasons development on the North Bank River Walk. The lease expansion of approximately 20,000 square feet would allow additional activities and 78 boat slips. The city aims to have it approved by the next council meeting to generate revenue for the first football game. Councilwoman Clark-Murray clarified this is not a zoning bill.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jamie Travis-Leonard (address on file) appeared in opposition to numerous items, including the Old Kings Road manufactured home PUD, the Rampart Road industrial park, the Pitts Road auto sales, and the Acree PUD expansion. She also spoke in support of the Barth Road PUD (2026-0433), commending the applicant for community consideration.
  • Samantha Ceres (address on file) appeared in opposition to those same items but did not speak.
  • Randy Baker spoke in support of the Outdoor Depot FLUM amendment and rezoning (items 2026-0422/0423).
  • Curtis Hart supported the Pickettville Road FLUM amendment and rezoning (items 2026-0424/0425), noting the site is a former fire station.
  • Brenda Ezell supported the Imeson Road FLUM amendment and rezoning (items 2026-0426/0427).
  • Paul Stasi (Executive Director, City Rescue Mission) and Richie Mullaney (Driver McAfee) supported the City Rescue Mission campus expansion (items 2026-0428/0429), providing details on the 80-year-old organization's Vision 2046 plan.
  • Kristen Reed supported the Barth Road FLUM amendment and PUD (items 2026-0432/0433), explaining the transition of uses.
  • Peter King (North Florida Land Trust) supported the Ragland Landings PUD (2026-0435), proposing a 320-unit mixed residential development with affordable housing and a preserve.
  • Earl Allen (resident of Kirk Road) supported the Kirk Road PUD (2026-0438), expressing hope for neighborhood revitalization.
  • Steve Matchett, Michael Milton, and Louis Joseph opposed the St. Nicholas PUD amendment (2026-0437), citing concerns about vague plans, traffic impacts, and lack of community input.
  • Barbara Erzinger supported the Girvin Road road frontage waiver and administrative deviation (items 2026-0487/0488), explaining the request to place a mobile home for family reunification.

Discussion Items

  • City Rescue Mission Campus Expansion (Items 2026-0428/0429): The committee approved both the FLUM amendment (RPI/LDR to CGC) and the PUD rezoning to allow a dormitory, dining hall, transitional housing, and clinic. Despite the Planning Department's condition to limit transitional housing height to 35 feet to protect adjacent single-family homes, Councilmember Carrico moved to approve without the condition, arguing the 50-foot height (four stories) is needed for capacity and is comparable to the existing 56-foot building. The motion passed 5-0. Councilwoman Clark-Murray noted the applicant met with the Lackawanna community and has been a good neighbor.
  • Ragland Landings PUD (Item 2026-0435): Councilwoman Clark-Murray requested a two-cycle deferral to allow the applicant to present to the Southwest CPAC, which had not met in July. After discussion, Councilmember Gaffney proposed a one-cycle deferral, but the motion failed for lack of a second. The applicant noted time constraints. The public hearing was continued to August 4, 2026, after the chair withdrew a deferral motion. Council President Howland suggested community engagement options. No vote on approval.
  • St. Nicholas PUD Amendment (Item 2026-0437): Several residents opposed the vague proposal to add commercial uses (hotel, retail, restaurants) to an existing PUD for a 7.14-acre site on Atlantic Boulevard. They cited traffic concerns and the lack of specific plans, calling it a "blank check." The applicant, Andre Green, said traffic would be vetted by FDOT. Chair Carlucci tabled the item to meet with stakeholders, and later continued the public hearing to August 4, 2026.
  • Kirk Road PUD (Item 2026-0438): The committee approved a PUD for up to 150 single-family homes on 23 acres east of Main Street North. A speaker opposed the density due to traffic, but the committee voted 4-0 in favor (Chair Carlucci did not vote). Councilmembers declared ex-parte communications.
  • Church at Chets Creek PUD (Item 2026-0439): Approved 4-0, allowing increased signage and ancillary uses (daycare, school) to modernize the church facility.
  • Baran Cafe Zoning Exception (Item 2026-0486): Councilmember Carrico requested a one-cycle deferral because the applicant did not contact his office. The public hearing was continued to August 4, 2026.
  • Girvin Road Waiver and Deviation (Items 2026-0487/0488): The Planning Department recommended denial for a waiver of road frontage (from 240 ft to 0 ft) and an administrative deviation to allow a third dwelling on a 3.42-acre lot with non-conforming homes. The applicant's representative requested approval for family reunification. The committee deferred both items to August 4, 2026, to allow Councilmember Lahnen to weigh in.

Key Outcomes

Approved (unanimous votes):

  • 2026-0422: FLUM amendment (9.31 acres, LI to HI) at Old Kings Rd for Outdoor Depot (5-0).
  • 2026-0423: Rezoning (IL to IH) same property (5-0).
  • 2026-0424: FLUM amendment (4.42 acres, LDR to LI) at Pickettville Rd (5-0).
  • 2026-0425: Rezoning to PUD for outdoor storage (Pickettville) with conditions (5-0).
  • 2026-0426: FLUM amendment (4.57 acres, RPI to LI) at Imeson Rd (5-0).
  • 2026-0427: Rezoning to IL at Imeson Rd (5-0).
  • 2026-0428: FLUM amendment (3.61 acres, RPI/LDR to CGC) for City Rescue Mission (5-0).
  • 2026-0429: Rezoning to PUD for City Rescue Mission (without height condition) (5-0).
  • 2026-0432: FLUM amendment (2.28 acres, LDR to BP/LI) at Barth Rd (5-0).
  • 2026-0433: Rezoning to PUD for truck/trailer storage (Barth Rd) with traffic study condition (5-0).
  • 2026-0438: Rezoning to PUD for single-family subdivision (Kirk Rd) (4-0, Chair abstained).
  • 2026-0439: Rezoning to PUD for Church at Chets Creek (4-0).

Deferred or Continued (public hearings continued to future dates):

  • Continued to August 4, 2026: Items 2026-0122, 0123, 0126, 0127, 0372, 0376, 0420, 0421, 0430, 0431, 0434, 0435, 0437, 0475, 0476, 0477, 0478, 0479, 0480, 0481, 0482, 0483, 0484, 0485, 0486, 0487, 0488.
  • Continued to November 17, 2026: Items 2026-0124, 0125.
  • Continued to August 18, 2026: Item 2026-0436.
  • Items on second reading (2026-0523 through 2026-0544) were read and rereferred, with public hearings scheduled for future dates (mostly August 18, 2026 or later).

Notable:

  • The committee deferred action on Ragland Landings (2026-0435) to August 4 after discussion but did not vote on approval.
  • The St. Nicholas PUD (2026-0437) was tabled mid-meeting then continued to August 4.
  • Home Occupations Ordinance (2026-0376) was continued with no speakers.

Meeting Transcript

All right. Good evening, everybody. It is five o'clock. Welcome to the land use and zoning committee. It is July 21st at 5 o'clock. So we are going to go ahead with introductions to the left. We're going to let our council president give us some encouraging onsetting words, and then we will hear a presentation from Mr. Hart and then we'll get going. So with that, we'll do introductions on the left. All right. Nick Howland at large group three just visiting. Councilman Reginald Gaffney Junior. I also want to introduce my two antagons at Nabana John and Liz who um who joining us tonight. All right. Thank you so much for joining us. Joe Carlucci, District 5. The prodigal son. Kevin Carico, District Floor has returned. The universe can exist again. Randy White, District 12. Terrence Harvey, Office of General Counsel. Susan Kelly Planning Department. Aaron Abney Planning Department. Casey Cox Planning Department. All right. Thank you, everybody. Mr. President, please. Thank you, Mr. Vice President and Mr. Chair. And uh question for the immediate past, Council President. Was it a successful international mission? Absolutely. All right, good to hear. More to come. More to come. Love hearing it. Thank you. Uh well, welcome back everybody from Council Break. I hope everyone had a um great opportunity to relax and refresh, maybe go to Hawaii. Um at least get some time off and time with the family because we're getting going on another council year, and it'll be a big one. Um, in fact, uh, we all know that the one big issue that probably the finance committee themselves will have to tackle early on is uh relates to the referendum in November on property tax relief. It's looming large on every single county, all 67 right now in the state of Florida as they start their new um years and start looking at their budget approvals uh which cross the whole state, all every county and has to have it done by um October 1st to implement September 30th, actually, so they can implement by October 1st. Um that's not your concern on land use and zoning, it's your broader concern on council. But um, we have formed what I think is one of the strongest land use and zoning committees um there ever has been. You guys know your stuff, all of you, and uh look forward to having a smooth um and productive uh year and uh particularly with uh a steady uh hand at the helm and and vice president Carlucci. So thank you all for being here and look forward to uh serving with you in this next year. All right, thank you, Council President Howland. Uh and I concur this is a strong land use and zoning group.

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