Land Use & Zoning Committee Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Land Use & Zoning (LUZ) Committee of the Jacksonville City Council met on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting was chaired by Joe Carlucci and attended by six members (Rory Diamond, Raul Arias, Reggie Gaffney Jr., Rahman Johnson, Randy White) with Kevin Carrico excused. The committee considered 44 agenda items, including rezoning requests, comprehensive plan amendments, and road frontage waivers. Several items drew significant public testimony, especially a proposed concrete batch plant and a rezoning along Richardson Road. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2026-0532 (Concrete Batch Plant at Soutel Industrial PUD): Over 30 speakers opposed the rezoning, citing health risks from particulate matter (silica dust), environmental concerns (flooding, water contamination), property value impacts, and the historic pattern of industrial siting in minority communities. Representative speakers included Dr. Andre Washington (economic equity), Dr. LaVonne Brown (public health), Jamie Travis-Leonard (health studies), and many residents from the surrounding Mockingbird Lane area. One speaker, Mark Shelton, supported the project. The applicant, Kristen Reed, defended the proposal, noting that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection would require strict permits. Councilwoman Pittman requested a deferral to allow further community engagement.
• Item 2026-0558 (Richardson Road Rezoning): Multiple speakers opposed the rezoning from RLD-60 to RLD-40 for 40+ homes, raising concerns about flooding, single-access emergency risks, and impacts on St. Paul AME Church. Betty Burney (former school board chair) and Dr. Keshan Chambliss were among those testifying. The public hearing was continued to October 6, 2026.
• Item 2026-0618 (Timber Cove Court Rezoning): One speaker, Jamie Travis-Leonard, supported the rezoning for two single-family homes.
• Item 2026-0622 (Moncrief Road West Rezoning): Several residents opposed, citing blight and lack of trash management. The applicant explained the project would create two duplexes (four units).
• Item 2026-0619 (Cassat Avenue Rezoning): Applicant Bassam Baker spoke in support of changing from CCG-1 to CCG-2 to allow a used car dealership, arguing fairness. No public opposition was voiced.
• Other items had no public speakers or only supportive comments.

Discussion Items

• Item 2026-0532 (Concrete Batch Plant): After extensive public testimony, Councilwoman Pittman moved to defer to allow further study and community meetings. Councilman Diamond expressed readiness to vote no based on the record. Councilman Gaffney noted that the site is zoned Industrial Light, not Industrial Heavy, which would not permit a concrete batch plant. The applicant offered to remove the batch plant use from the PUD to address concerns. The committee agreed to defer to October 6, 2026, after a brief huddle between Councilwoman Pittman, the applicant, and three community representatives.
• Item 2026-0619 (Cassat Avenue Rezoning): Staff recommended denial because CCG-2 would push higher-intensity commercial toward residential areas, but committee members argued that the site historically operated as a dealership and that neighboring properties are already CCG-2. The committee voted 6-0 to approve, with Councilman Arias and Councilman White citing common sense and the existing character of Cassat Avenue.
• Item 2026-0622 (Moncrief Road West Rezoning): Staff recommended approval. Councilman Gaffney requested a deferral but then withdrew; the item was approved 5-0.
• Item 2026-0631 and 2026-0632 (Text Amendments): Two comprehensive plan text amendments (CBD marina slips update and state-law consistency for residential compatibility) were approved 5-0 with no debate.
• Items 2026-0559, 2026-0566, 2026-0618, 2026-0620, 2026-0621, 2026-0661: Each was approved unanimously after brief staff presentations and no opposition.
• Several items were deferred or continued to later cycles (see Key Outcomes).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all unanimous unless noted):
  • 2026-0559 (Philips Hwy rezoning) – Approved 5-0.
  • 2026-0566 (Maxville-Middleburg Rd frontage waiver) – Approved 6-0.
  • 2026-0618 (Timber Cove Ct rezoning) – Approved 6-0.
  • 2026-0619 (Cassat Ave rezoning) – Approved 6-0 (over staff denial).
  • 2026-0620 (Ashley St W rezoning) – Approved 6-0.
  • 2026-0621 (Lane Ave S rezoning) – Approved 6-0.
  • 2026-0622 (Moncrief Rd W rezoning) – Approved 5-0.
  • 2026-0631 (CBD text amendment – marina slips) – Approved 5-0.
  • 2026-0632 (Text amendment – residential compatibility) – Approved 5-0.
  • 2026-0661 (Atlantic Blvd frontage waiver) – Approved 5-0.
• Deferred:
  • 2026-0124 and 2026-0125 (Rampart Rd) – Deferred to November 17, 2026.
  • 2026-0557 (A C Skinner Pkwy) – Deferred to October 6, 2026.
  • 2026-0647, 2026-0648, 2026-0649, 2026-0650, 2026-0651, 2026-0652, 2026-0653, 2026-0654, 2026-0655, 2026-0656, 2026-0657, 2026-0658, 2026-0659, 2026-0660 – All deferred to October 6, 2026.
• Continued Public Hearings:
  • 2026-0126, 2026-0127, 2026-0436, 2026-0523, 2026-0524, 2026-0556 – Continued to October 20, 2026.
  • 2026-0532 (Concrete batch plant) – Continued to October 6, 2026, after applicant offered to remove batch plant use.
  • 2026-0558 (Richardson Rd) – Continued to October 6, 2026.
• Second Reading Noted: Items 2026-0689 through 2026-0697 were read for the second time and rereferred to future public hearings.
• Ex Parte Declarations: Councilmembers disclosed ex parte communications for several items, as noted in the transcript and minutes.

The next regular meeting of the Land Use & Zoning Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026.