1                    CITY OF JACKSONVILLE

 

       2                    LAND USE AND ZONING

 

       3                         COMMITTEE

 

       4

 

       5

 

       6             Proceedings held on Tuesday, June 17, 2008,

 

       7   commencing at 5:00 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers,

 

       8   1st Floor, Jacksonville, Florida, before Diane M.

 

       9   Tropia, a Notary Public in and for the State of

 

      10   Florida at Large.

 

      11

 

      12   PRESENT:

 

      13        MICHAEL CORRIGAN, Chair.

                CLAY YARBOROUGH, Vice Chair.

      14        RICHARD CLARK, Committee Member.

                E. DENISE LEE, Committee Member.

      15        ART SHAD, Committee Member.

                JACK WEBB, Committee Member.

      16

 

      17   ALSO PRESENT:

 

      18

                DON REDMAN, City Council Member.

      19        JOHN CROFTS, Deputy Director, Planning Dept.

                SEAN KELLY, Chief, Current Planning.

      20        FOLKS HUXFORD, Zoning Administrator.

                JASON TEAL, Office of General Counsel.

      21        SHANNON ELLER, Office of General Counsel.

                DYLAN REINGOLD, Office of General Counsel.

      22        MARILYN ALLEN, Legislative Assistant.

                MERRIANE LAHMEUR, Legislative Assistant.

      23

                                 -  -  -

      24

 

      25

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           2

 

 

       1                   P R O C E E D I N G S

 

       2   June 17, 2008                           5:00 p.m.

 

       3                         -  -  -

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  I hereby call the Tuesday,

 

       5        June 17th meeting of the Land Use and Zoning

 

       6        Committee.

 

       7             Let the record reflect that the following

 

       8        members are here:  Councilmember Michael

 

       9        Corrigan, Chairman; Vice Chair Clay Yarborough;

 

      10        Councilmember Richard Clark; Councilmember Art

 

      11        Shad; Councilmember Jack Webb.  And let the

 

      12        record reflect that Councilwoman Mia Jones has

 

      13        an excusal.

 

      14             We have a very busy agenda tonight.  I

 

      15        appreciate everyone's patience.  I will do a

 

      16        couple of quick reminders.  One, there is no

 

      17        public display or support or opposition.  When

 

      18        someone comes up to speak, we will make sure

 

      19        that you have respect, and we ask that you have

 

      20        respect for them as well.

 

      21             And since we do have so many items on our

 

      22        agenda, as you see your agenda getting closer,

 

      23        if you please come down front to save us some

 

      24        time walking down here, we sure would appreciate

 

      25        it.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             Having said that, Councilmembers, we are

 

       2        ready to begin on page 2.  All the items on

 

       3        page 2 are deferred, 2005-1228, 2006-24, and

 

       4        2006-220.

 

       5             Page 3, top item, 2006-360 is deferred.

 

       6             2006-658.  We'll open that public hearing.

 

       7             Seeing no speakers, we will continue that

 

       8        public hearing with no further action.

 

       9             Item 6, 2007-144.  We will open that public

 

      10        hearing.

 

      11             Seeing no speakers, we'll close that public

 

      12        hearing.

 

      13             Item 7, 2007-145.  We'll open that public

 

      14        hearing.

 

      15             Seeing no speakers, we'll close that public

 

      16        hearing.

 

      17             (Mr. Redman enters the proceedings.)

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  We are on page 4 of your

 

      19        agenda.  All the items on page 4 are deferred:

 

      20        2007-384, 2007-581, 2007-803.

 

      21             Now that we've gotten to that point, I see

 

      22        we have a visiting councilmember here.

 

      23        Councilmember Redman has joined us this

 

      24        afternoon.

 

      25             Councilman Redman, I believe that you are

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        here on bill 2008-313?

 

       2             MR. REDMAN:  Yes.

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  That is on page 9 of your

 

       4        agenda, Councilmembers.

 

       5             We will open that public hearing.  We have

 

       6        some speakers.  The following people -- we have

 

       7        some declaration for ex-parte.

 

       8             Councilmember Clark.

 

       9             MR. CLARK:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      10             I had a meeting with Tom Ingram and

 

      11        Kyle Riva on the 10th, and we discussed the

 

      12        location, the DRI, and the apartments.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Councilmember

 

      14        Clark.

 

      15             Councilmember Yarborough.

 

      16             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      17             2008-313, I had ex-parte at my office

 

      18        yesterday with Tom Ingram, Coen Purvis, Alex

 

      19        Coley and Kyle Riva to discuss the site plan and

 

      20        impact of rezoning on surrounding properties.

 

      21             Also, on the same day in my office with

 

      22        Michael Herzberg to discuss the impact of the

 

      23        rezoning to the surrounding properties.

 

      24             Thank you.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             Councilmember Webb.

 

       2             MR. WEBB:  Thank you.

 

       3             I'd like to declare ex-parte with regard to

 

       4        this bill as well with Mr. Michael Herzberg

 

       5        approximately two weeks ago to discuss the

 

       6        merits of this, as well I had -- approximately

 

       7        two weeks ago, I had a brief conversation with

 

       8        Paul Harden regarding the merits of this bill as

 

       9        well.

 

      10             Thank you.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      12             I'll also declare ex-parte communications

 

      13        on June 10th.  I had a meeting with Tom Ingram,

 

      14        Coen Purvis, Alex Coley, Kyle Riva and McCarley

 

      15        Davis in my office at 4:00 p.m. to discuss an

 

      16        overview of this particular ordinance.

 

      17             I also had ex-parte communication with

 

      18        Mike Herzberg on June 12th, approximately 1:15

 

      19        in the afternoon, in our world famous Green Room

 

      20        to discuss his opposition to this project.

 

      21             Seeing no other ex-parte communications,

 

      22        we're ready now for our speakers.

 

      23             Our first speaker is Alex Coley, followed

 

      24        by Kyle Riva, followed by Tom Ingram.

 

      25             (Mr. Ingram approaches the podium.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  And if you want to change

 

       2        the order, that's fine.  Tom, you want to come

 

       3        first, that's fine.

 

       4             MR. INGRAM:  Thank you.  Good evening.

 

       5             Tom Ingram, 245 Riverside Avenue,

 

       6        Suite 400, and I'm here representing the

 

       7        applicants.

 

       8             This is a proposed 360-unit multifamily

 

       9        complex in the Southpoint project, also known as

 

      10        the Interstate Business Center DRI.  This

 

      11        project was conceived in the late '70s and early

 

      12        '80s as a suburban-style office park, kind of

 

      13        the height of planning for its time.

 

      14             As the years have worn on and we're now in

 

      15        the 21st century, the strong trend has been to

 

      16        integrate multifamily and office products

 

      17        together so that people can work and live in

 

      18        close proximity to one another.

 

      19             This is a market-rate project.  It's being

 

      20        done by Epoch Properties.  It's done -- who did

 

      21        Thornton Park over in the Gate Parkway

 

      22        extension.  This type of project has been found

 

      23        in other DRIs very similar to this.  In the

 

      24        Galleria, there is the Windsor Falls project

 

      25        that the City Council approved just a few years

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           7

 

 

       1        ago to add multifamily to an office and retail

 

       2        project.

 

       3             Also, at Flagler Center DRI just a few

 

       4        years ago, the City Council voted to amend that

 

       5        DRI to add multifamily to an office and

 

       6        industrial complex.

 

       7             Also, in the Deerwood town -- Deerwood

 

       8        North DRI, that project includes a variety of

 

       9        multifamily that's under construction today at

 

      10        Tapestry Park and a few other projects over

 

      11        there.

 

      12             But at the southeast and southwest

 

      13        quadrants, JTB and 95 now have a mix of office

 

      14        and multifamily.  This is just continuing that

 

      15        trend.

 

      16             There had been some opposition.  There is

 

      17        now one opponent that we are aware of.  The

 

      18        other comments have been withdrawn, and we now

 

      19        understand that they're in support.

 

      20             There was a memorandum that was circulated

 

      21        anonymously, and I'd like to share that with

 

      22        you.  It was sent to some of the various office

 

      23        develop- -- office tenants in the area.  I have

 

      24        copies here.

 

      25             But just to say that a lot of this is

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        inaccurate.  You may have seen it.  It talked

 

       2        about equating workforce with lower income

 

       3        housing.  That's simply not true.  This is --

 

       4        workforce housing is basically normal working

 

       5        people earning below average and above average

 

       6        income.  It's the very type of people that will

 

       7        live and work in an office product like this.

 

       8             It does comply with the comprehensive

 

       9        plan.  We have strong support from the Planning

 

      10        Department.  It is -- it is not -- it is exempt

 

      11        from any sort of industrial overlay zone

 

      12        pursuant to the terms of the City's industrial

 

      13        zoning overlay district.

 

      14             Furthermore, even if it were applicable,

 

      15        there are no special buffering requirements

 

      16        between multifamily and office because the City

 

      17        recognizes that those two uses are compatible.

 

      18             And with that, I'll be happy to answer any

 

      19        questions you may have, but we have passed out

 

      20        some handouts here, various aerials, some of

 

      21        which you have seen, but page 7 gives the best

 

      22        overview of what the site looks like.

 

      23             Thank you.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Ingram.

 

      25             I have several other speakers in support.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           9

 

 

       1             Mr. Ingram, let me ask you, is there an

 

       2        order to the speakers in support, or you do not

 

       3        know?

 

       4             MR. INGRAM:  Yes.  The next will be

 

       5        Kyle Riva with Epoch Properties, followed by

 

       6        Coen Purvis, who's a planner -- he is also with

 

       7        Hallmark Partners -- followed by Alex Coley of

 

       8        Hallmark Partners, the principal who owns an

 

       9        adjacent office building.

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      11             MR. INGRAM:  Thank you.

 

      12             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good afternoon.

 

      14             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Hey, good afternoon.

 

      15             My name is Kyle Riva.  I'm the president of

 

      16        Epoch Properties.  We're based in Orlando,

 

      17        Florida.  We were formed in 1970.  Since then,

 

      18        have built some 31,000 market-rate apartment

 

      19        units across the country.  We've built some 15

 

      20        to 18 projects here in Jacksonville.  Our most

 

      21        recent was Thornton Park, which is on the Gate

 

      22        Parkway extension, about a mile and a half from

 

      23        this particular location.

 

      24             We're a fully integrated company.  We're a

 

      25        developer, general contractor, and management

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           10

 

 

       1        company.  We currently manage about 10,000

 

       2        units.

 

       3             What we intend to build on this project is

 

       4        a high-quality, market-rate project with

 

       5        substantial interior units and exterior

 

       6        amenities, basketball courts, theaters, swimming

 

       7        pools, et cetera, for our residents to use.

 

       8             We very much believe that building our kind

 

       9        of project in this type of environment next to

 

      10        offices and nearby retail is really the right

 

      11        thing to do.  It's -- they're very complementary

 

      12        uses and they tend to utilize the existing

 

      13        infrastructure much more efficiently.

 

      14             The traffic trips are going in opposite

 

      15        directions during peak periods, and there's

 

      16        less -- you drive through the Southpoint

 

      17        business park on the weekends and nights, you'll

 

      18        see that those roads aren't being utilized.

 

      19        With the community there, that's when -- an

 

      20        apartment community, that's when those roads

 

      21        would be utilized.

 

      22             But more importantly, I believe the City

 

      23        staff has been looking at this for a long time,

 

      24        and I believe they're in support of our

 

      25        project.  And then also we have support letters

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           11

 

 

       1        from the National Association of Industrial and

 

       2        Office Parks, and also from the National

 

       3        Multihousing Conference, both saying that this

 

       4        is exactly the type of smart growth that they

 

       5        want to see.

 

       6             As far as we can tell, most of the

 

       7        neighbors are in favor of our development and in

 

       8        support of us.  Once we got past the

 

       9        disinformation that they've had, they've now

 

      10        written retraction letters and are in support.

 

      11             We seem to only have one dissenter who has

 

      12        been pretty vocal.  And when we tried to meet

 

      13        with him, he said, "Look.  It's nothing

 

      14        personal.  We'd be against anything you're

 

      15        developing here.  This is just business."

 

      16             Well, to me, this business is personal, and

 

      17        I believe your guys' business of running this

 

      18        city is personal as well.  And I think the

 

      19        citizens expect it to be.  And what we're all

 

      20        after here is smart growth in the city of

 

      21        Jacksonville.  I believe, and we believe, that

 

      22        this development is smart growth for the city.

 

      23             Thank you.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      25             I have Alex Coley, and J.J. Conners, and

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        Coen Purvis.

 

       2             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

       4             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good afternoon.

 

       5             Coen Purvis, 6675 Corporate Center Parkway,

 

       6        Suite 100.

 

       7             I'm here on behalf of Hallmark Partners, an

 

       8        employee of Hallmark Partners.  I am a

 

       9        developer, but I'm also a planner, a planner by

 

      10        background as well as education.  I've worked

 

      11        not only in the private sector as a -- as a

 

      12        developer and a planner, but as well as in the

 

      13        public sector.  So I've been on both sides of

 

      14        this issue.

 

      15             You heard Tom say -- Tom Ingram say that

 

      16        Southpoint was envisioned in the late '70s.

 

      17        That is true.  Clearly, I don't have to tell you

 

      18        that a lot of things have changed in Southpoint

 

      19        over that past 30 years.  Residential was not

 

      20        envisioned when they put the plan to paper back

 

      21        in the '70s, but, you know, an area must evolve

 

      22        or it will die.

 

      23             And this is happening all over -- all over

 

      24        the country, and it's happening here in

 

      25        Jacksonville as well.  We've already seen

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           13

 

 

       1        Pulte -- national home builders like Pulte and

 

       2        D.R. Horton come into areas of commercial and

 

       3        business parks where the market has changed and

 

       4        have come in with residential projects.

 

       5             It just makes sense to use the existing

 

       6        infrastructure.  We've already seen -- you know,

 

       7        we've got the water there, we've got the

 

       8        drainage, we've got the sewer, we've got the

 

       9        road system in.  Our own traffic analysis shows

 

      10        that actually the net impact from residential is

 

      11        less than what it would be if we developed out

 

      12        with our approved office development rights.  So

 

      13        it just makes good planning sense.

 

      14             Another thing is not only the hard

 

      15        infrastructure is in place, but the retail

 

      16        services to support that residential are all in

 

      17        place.

 

      18             I'd like to enter into the record an aerial

 

      19        that we have prepared that shows the retail

 

      20        projects that are within basically a two-mile

 

      21        radius of our site.

 

      22             (Ms. Lee enters the proceedings.)

 

      23             MR. PURVIS:  There's over 300- -- almost

 

      24        340,000 square feet of retail.  There's 85

 

      25        different retail establishments.  Many of those

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           14

 

 

       1        are within walking and/or bike distance.  We've

 

       2        got one grocer, one drug, 39 restaurants, eight

 

       3        convenience stores, 14 retailers, eight salons,

 

       4        three cleaners, three financial institutions,

 

       5        nail shops, coffee shops, tanning salon.  All

 

       6        the services that are needed to support a

 

       7        residential development.

 

       8             So I would ask for your support of

 

       9        2008-313.

 

      10             Thank you.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      12             I have Alex Coley, J.J. Conners, and

 

      13        Paul Harden, and Mike Herzberg.

 

      14             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good afternoon.

 

      16             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good afternoon.

 

      17        Thank you.

 

      18             I'm Alex Coley.  I'm a partner in Hallmark

 

      19        Partners, 6675 Corporate Center Parkway.

 

      20             Our company is headquartered directly

 

      21        adjacent to this property.  We've been officed

 

      22        in Southpoint for many years.  As I said, our

 

      23        headquarters is there, adjacent to the subject

 

      24        property.

 

      25             We're also managers of the Southpoint

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           15

 

 

       1        Property Owners Association, the Southeast

 

       2        Quadrant Property Owners Association, and the

 

       3        Galleria Property Owners Association,

 

       4        encompassing three of the four corners of that

 

       5        intersection.  And in all three of these

 

       6        quadrants, we have existing multifamily.

 

       7             Our project -- we have met with the

 

       8        neighbors in the neighborhood on our project

 

       9        and, after some discussion, every single one of

 

      10        them, bar one, is supporting the project.

 

      11             As was mentioned earlier, there was a

 

      12        memorandum circulating in the neighborhood that

 

      13        required some clarification.  And after that

 

      14        clarification, again, we report 100 percent in

 

      15        support for the project, bar one.

 

      16             And I want to enter into the record here

 

      17        recommendation letters from those people, along

 

      18        with the recommendation from the president of

 

      19        our trade organization, the National Association

 

      20        of Industrial and Office Properties.  Mr. Tom

 

      21        Bisacquino wrote a letter from NAIOP stating

 

      22        that this project is exactly the kind of smart

 

      23        growth, green initiative that NAIOP supports.

 

      24             It reduces our carbon footprint.  It is

 

      25        good, proper planning.  And, as was mentioned

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           16

 

 

       1        earlier, this bill is supported by the Planning

 

       2        Department, and it's been recommended by the

 

       3        Planning Commission.

 

       4             And I see Mr. Redman up here, our

 

       5        councilman.  We appreciate his support as well.

 

       6        I think he'll speak to that later.

 

       7             Again, we just ask for your support for

 

       8        2008-313.

 

       9             Thank you.

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      11             J.J. Conners, Paul Harden, and Mike

 

      12        Herzberg.

 

      13             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good afternoon.

 

      15             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good afternoon.

 

      16             I'm J.J. Conners, 45 West Bay Street,

 

      17        Suite 203.

 

      18             I am the president of Chestnut Hill

 

      19        Investments, which is a local real estate

 

      20        development company that I started in July of

 

      21        2006, and I'm here speak on -- in support of

 

      22        this project.

 

      23             Prior to starting my company, I was the

 

      24        vice president and regional market officer for

 

      25        Flagler Development.  And in that position, I

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           17

 

 

       1        managed the development, leasing, entitlement,

 

       2        land management, property management of Flagler

 

       3        Developments Holdings in the North Florida

 

       4        area.

 

       5             And in two of those projects, both of which

 

       6        Tom Ingram referred to, there was multifamily

 

       7        adjacent to office that I feel worked very

 

       8        well.

 

       9             In Flagler Center, adjacent to the

 

      10        Citi Cards' 600,000-square-foot office campus,

 

      11        there was a -- there is a Pulte multifamily

 

      12        development.  Both Pulte and Citi Cards were

 

      13        excited that their neighbor was there.  Both saw

 

      14        it as a benefit.  Citi Cards actually had a

 

      15        number of employees inquiring about being able

 

      16        to live there to shorten their commute, which

 

      17        serves as a captured trip and didn't put any

 

      18        additional cars on the peak hour roadways.

 

      19             The other project was Deerwood North.

 

      20        Flagler has four office buildings in the

 

      21        Deerwood North DRI, Class A office buildings,

 

      22        among the top in the market.

 

      23             And adjacent to them, between a Flagler

 

      24        office building and another office building, is

 

      25        a multifamily development that serves as an

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           18

 

 

       1        additional asset to -- to that marketplace.  And

 

       2        the entire Gate Parkway corridor serves as a

 

       3        mixed-use, very functional development.

 

       4             So I think that a change such as this,

 

       5        putting apartments next to offices, cannot only

 

       6        work very well, but serves as a -- be a good

 

       7        planning exercise.

 

       8             Thank you.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      10             The next card I have is for Paul Harden,

 

      11        but I see it says item 23.  He may be here on

 

      12        item 23.

 

      13             Mr. Harden, are you here for this item or

 

      14        not?

 

      15             MR. HARDEN:  No.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      17             Our next speaker is Mr. Herzberg,

 

      18        Mike Herzberg.

 

      19             And, Mr. Harden, I'm going to put your card

 

      20        back in for item 23.

 

      21             (Mr. Herzberg approaches the podium.)

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good afternoon.

 

      23             MR. HERZBERG:  Good afternoon, sir.

 

      24             Mr. Chairman, my name is Mike Herzberg.  My

 

      25        address is One Sleiman Parkway, Jacksonville,

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           19

 

 

       1        Florida 32216.

 

       2             And I thank you for the opportunity to

 

       3        speak before you regarding this subject.

 

       4             I've asked that a package be handed out to

 

       5        you tonight that I think will demonstrate how

 

       6        this project is actually inconsistent with the

 

       7        comprehensive plan.

 

       8             As you all know, I have a little bit of

 

       9        experience with the comprehensive plan, but a

 

      10        lot has changed since I was left -- since I have

 

      11        left, specifically in relation to industrial

 

      12        preservation.  The City determined, through an

 

      13        industrial preservation study at a cost of

 

      14        $90,000 to the taxpayers of this county, that we

 

      15        need to protect industrial business parks.

 

      16             The loss of these business parks by

 

      17        residential intrusion hampers our economic

 

      18        ability to continue development in these parks.

 

      19             I would submit to you tonight that this is

 

      20        the embodiment of what we paid $90,000 for a

 

      21        study to tell us.  Don't drop residential into

 

      22        the middle of industrially-designated properties

 

      23        due to the fact that we may reduce our

 

      24        availability of those industrial properties and

 

      25        have the effect of reducing the uses that are

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           20

 

 

       1        out there or the future uses of those

 

       2        properties.

 

       3             The City went so far as to adopt a

 

       4        comprehensive plan amendment to the BP category

 

       5        specifically stating that new units in this

 

       6        category -- and previously units weren't allowed

 

       7        in this category, but now units would be allowed

 

       8        in this land use category, subject to the fact

 

       9        that they be workforce housing.

 

      10             Workforce housing was further defined by

 

      11        the staff and sent to the council for adoption

 

      12        as being 140 percent of the AMI.  That would be

 

      13        approximately $65,000 a year.

 

      14             I think it's difficult to assume -- and I

 

      15        have all the respect in the world for the

 

      16        developers and Epoch Properties.  I've seen

 

      17        their product, I know they build good products,

 

      18        but the problem here is the comprehensive plan

 

      19        says he can't build his product.

 

      20             Your comprehensive plan, my comprehensive

 

      21        plan -- and I understand the applicant has made

 

      22        the statement, and I agree with the statement,

 

      23        that the zoning overlay does not apply.  I have

 

      24        no problem with that, but the comprehensive plan

 

      25        policies and map L-23 still does apply.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           21

 

 

       1        Further, map T-2 of the comprehensive plan and

 

       2        the traffic circulation element applies.

 

       3             Mixed use is a principle of smart growth.

 

       4        I understand mixed use.  I'm a planner by trade

 

       5        as well.  But mixed use has become a buzz word

 

       6        in the developer's lexicon.  We say that if we

 

       7        drop one use next to another, we're mixing the

 

       8        uses.  Well, if we drop a pig farm into the

 

       9        middle of a residential subdivision, are we

 

      10        mixing the uses?  Well, sure.  The pig farmer

 

      11        can live right next door to where the pig farm

 

      12        is, but it defies all logic.  Those two uses

 

      13        don't belong together.  They're incompatible.

 

      14             There ought to be a law, and there is a

 

      15        law.  There's several laws.  There's goal 3 of

 

      16        your comprehensive plan, objective 3.2, policy

 

      17        3.2.12, policy -- and the new policies -- let me

 

      18        stop.  The new policies that have been adopted

 

      19        since I left the City, policy 3.2.17, policy

 

      20        3.2.19, policy 3.2.29.  I can go on.  There's a

 

      21        number of those, and they're in your packet.

 

      22             I guess, gentlemen, what I'm really trying

 

      23        to say is mixed use is a good thing, and these

 

      24        gentlemen have developed mixed-use projects on

 

      25        Southside Boulevard that are excellent examples

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           22

 

 

       1        of mixed use.

 

       2             Retail is a component of them.  There is

 

       3        little or no retail in this business park, short

 

       4        of a sandwich shop inside some of the offices,

 

       5        and this PUD does not propose uses other than a

 

       6        residential development or more industrial uses.

 

       7             I see that my time has expired.  And in

 

       8        respect of that, I'll step down, but I'll be

 

       9        happy to answer any questions.

 

      10             I would like to point out one other thing

 

      11        in relation to surrounding properties.  There's

 

      12        been, I think, a misstatement of fact, stating

 

      13        that residential fits in the area.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Herzberg, your time has

 

      15        expired.

 

      16             MR. HERZBERG:  Yes, sir.  Thank you.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing no further speakers

 

      18        on 2008-313, that public hearing is closed.

 

      19             Councilmember Redman.

 

      20             MR. REDMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      21             I know this is a pretty contentious issue

 

      22        between the two parties, and I've listened quite

 

      23        lengthy to both parties.  And, you know,

 

      24        Mr. Ingram first came to me with this, you know,

 

      25        and it appeared to be a great development in

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           23

 

 

       1        what I think is a needed area.  And I --

 

       2             Personally, I think the mixed use will be a

 

       3        great thing for this area, so I'm going to have

 

       4        to support the development.

 

       5             It looks like a -- you know, everything

 

       6        I've seen, it looks like a great development.

 

       7        And, you know, meetings that I have been and --

 

       8        district planning meetings, does lead to this

 

       9        type of development.  This is something -- I've

 

      10        been at meetings -- and has been pushed as the

 

      11        up and coming way to develop areas.  So I

 

      12        think -- I think it's going to be a good thing.

 

      13             Thank you.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      15             Let's go to the Planning Department.  I

 

      16        think we have an amendment on this particular

 

      17        bill.

 

      18             MR. CLARK:  Move the amendment.

 

      19             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Motion and second on the

 

      21        amendment.

 

      22             We'll go to the Planning Department for an

 

      23        explanation of the amendment.

 

      24             MR. CROFTS:  Mr. Chairman, the amendment

 

      25        consists of several conditions, and I'll read

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           24

 

 

       1        them into the record, please.

 

       2             Condition number 1, "The development shall

 

       3        be subject to the original legal description

 

       4        dated February 26, 2008."

 

       5             Condition number 2, "The development shall

 

       6        be subject to the revised written description

 

       7        dated June 9th, 2008."

 

       8             Condition number 3, "The development shall

 

       9        be subject to the original site plan dated

 

      10        May 25, 2008."

 

      11             Condition number 4, "The required

 

      12        transportation improvements shall be made in

 

      13        accordance with the Development Services

 

      14        Division memorandum dated April 17th, 2008, or

 

      15        as otherwise approved by the Planning and

 

      16        Development Department."

 

      17             Fifth and finally, "Multifamily structures

 

      18        which face or back up to each other shall

 

      19        provide at least 40 feet of separation between

 

      20        structures.  Multifamily structures must have a

 

      21        minimum separation of at least 20 feet between

 

      22        end walls and 20 feet between an end wall and

 

      23        face or rear of another multifamily structure."

 

      24             Thank you.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           25

 

 

       1             Seeing -- Councilmember Redman, do you have

 

       2        any discussion on the amendment or not?

 

       3             Mr. Redman, before you -- if Mr. Ingram

 

       4        could come up and indicate his understanding of

 

       5        those -- of the amendment.

 

       6             (Mr. Ingram approaches the podium.)

 

       7             MR. INGRAM:  Yes, sir.  We are familiar

 

       8        with the amendment and support it, or find it

 

       9        acceptable.

 

      10             Thank you.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Councilmember Redman,

 

      12        then Councilmember Lee.

 

      13             MR. REDMAN:  I have no problem with the

 

      14        amendment.  I support it.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      16             Councilmember Lee.

 

      17             MS. LEE:  I have a question of legal,

 

      18        please.  Through the Chair to Ms. Eller.

 

      19             MS. ELLER:  Yes, ma'am.

 

      20             MS. LEE:  Do I need to declare ex-parte on

 

      21        this?  Paul Harden talked to me about this and

 

      22        asked for support of this.  Do I need to go on

 

      23        record with that?

 

      24             MS. ELLER:  You can wait until -- oh, no.

 

      25        This is 2008-313.  Yes.  This is a

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           26

 

 

       1        quasi-judicial matter, so if you could just

 

       2        disclose who you met with and what you

 

       3        discussed.

 

       4             MS. LEE:  Yes.

 

       5             MS. ELLER:  That, will fulfill the ex-parte

 

       6        disclosure.

 

       7             MS. LEE:  Right.  I would like to disclose

 

       8        that Paul Harden spoke to me about this.  And I

 

       9        was under the impression that he was

 

      10        representing that.  That's what he represented

 

      11        to me.

 

      12             Thank you.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      14             Seeing no questions for Councilmember Lee,

 

      15        thank you.

 

      16             We are on the amendment.

 

      17             Seeing no other discussion on the

 

      18        amendment, all in favor signal by saying aye.

 

      19             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      21             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

      23             MR. CLARK:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      24             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           27

 

 

       1        2008-313 as amended.

 

       2             Councilmember Webb.

 

       3             MR. WEBB:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

       4             I have a couple of questions for either

 

       5        legal or for Planning.

 

       6             First off, this does not -- to the -- the

 

       7        point that was made before is that this is a

 

       8        multiuse project.  This doesn't strike me -- I'm

 

       9        looking at the Planning Department report.  This

 

      10        is not -- this is not a multiuse project in the

 

      11        sense that it's either-or.  It's either pure

 

      12        multifamily or it's -- it's a --

 

      13             It's an application for rezoning, PUD.  So

 

      14        it changes the industrial business park zoning

 

      15        to a PUD to contract zoning.  So it's to

 

      16        facilitate an either-or type situation.  It's

 

      17        either multifamily, and if they close a

 

      18        multifamily, we'll rock and roll.  Or if not,

 

      19        then they default -- the developer defaults to

 

      20        the IBP -- excuse me -- the industrial business

 

      21        park zoning designation; is that correct?

 

      22             And that's to Shannon, I guess, or to Sean.

 

      23             MR. KELLY:  Through the Chair to Councilman

 

      24        Webb, yes, that's correct.

 

      25             The property is currently zoned IBP, so

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           28

 

 

       1        that's not anything new.  The introduction of

 

       2        the residential use creates the mixed use in the

 

       3        development.

 

       4             MR. WEBB:  I have a concern with this

 

       5        particular -- with the use of PUD zoning, of

 

       6        contract zoning in this fashion.

 

       7             Essentially, what this does, it strips this

 

       8        body of the ability to consider the merits of a

 

       9        true rezoning.  I mean, contract zoning should

 

      10        be for a specific use, and that is, they want to

 

      11        go from whatever -- whether or not they want to

 

      12        go from industrial business park to multifamily,

 

      13        whatever.  But, again, they want to do that in

 

      14        the context of contract zoning.  And the

 

      15        contract that they negotiate with us as a body

 

      16        effectively says, "Okay.  If you can't do this,

 

      17        then you could default to the original use."

 

      18        Isn't that a fair statement?

 

      19             MR. KELLY:  That is correct.  That is what

 

      20        is being requested.

 

      21             MR. WEBB:  Okay.  Fair enough.

 

      22             MR. KELLY:  The IBP is, you know,

 

      23        compatible with all the other IBP around.

 

      24             MR. WEBB:  And the second question for

 

      25        Planning, I guess, you're going -- if -- again,

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           29

 

 

       1        this is not a multiuse project in that it's

 

       2        going to be multifamily lined up next door to

 

       3        IBP uses, correct?

 

       4             MR. KELLY:  The property is surrounded by a

 

       5        private road, so it applies to the overall

 

       6        parcel.

 

       7             MR. WEBB:  I see.

 

       8             MR. KELLY:  But the surrounding uses would

 

       9        be IBP, adjacent properties.

 

      10             MR. WEBB:  I mean, this strikes me as a

 

      11        good project, I guess, but --

 

      12             Well, one further question to zoning --

 

      13        excuse me -- to Planning.  The -- when you're

 

      14        talking about mixed use, you're talking

 

      15        effectively about multifamily residential with a

 

      16        neighborhood commercial component, retail-type

 

      17        component; isn't that accurate?  Or is it

 

      18        broader than that?

 

      19             MR. KELLY:  It's much broader than that,

 

      20        yes.

 

      21             MR. WEBB:  Okay.  Fair enough.

 

      22             I will say this, I think this is a good

 

      23        project, but I do not support the use of

 

      24        contract zoning in this fashion, so I'm going to

 

      25        oppose this.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           30

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Councilmember

 

       2        Webb.

 

       3             Seeing no other speakers -- Councilmember

 

       4        Yarborough.

 

       5             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

       6             Like some of the concerns that Councilman

 

       7        Webb had, I'm sitting here -- and I've met with

 

       8        both sides, and in regards to some of the --

 

       9        what's on the front page of what Mr. Herzberg

 

      10        handed us with the concerns, I wanted to ask the

 

      11        Planning staff, one of the things here, under

 

      12        point number 2, speaks to the loss of industrial

 

      13        lands combined with residential intrusion.

 

      14             The next paragraph talks about the council

 

      15        at one point has declared it to be the policy to

 

      16        protect and preserve the industrial areas.

 

      17             Southpoint is an older -- is an older part

 

      18        of town, but the thing that concerns me is how

 

      19        isolated this would be and would be in an area

 

      20        where we primarily have the industrial and

 

      21        commercial areas, and there is not residential

 

      22        anywhere near this.

 

      23             And, to me, I don't know if that would be

 

      24        truly consistent with our plan because it's

 

      25        not -- it just doesn't seem that it would be

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           31

 

 

       1        contiguous.

 

       2             And I just wanted to ask our staff, how --

 

       3        really, how do we arrive at the conclusion that

 

       4        this -- I understand with mixed use, it's

 

       5        different, but how do we arrive at the

 

       6        conclusion that this would be something that

 

       7        would be okay with this area?

 

       8             Sean, if you can speak to that.

 

       9             MR. KELLY:  Certainly.

 

      10             Through the Chair to Councilmember

 

      11        Yarborough, the industrial study -- again, this

 

      12        is a development of regional impact, and the

 

      13        industrial adoption of the overlay exempted out

 

      14        the areas covered under the DRI, and the DRI is

 

      15        still subject to a notice of proposed change to

 

      16        introduce the residential component.

 

      17             Compatibilitywise, we feel it's

 

      18        compatible.  This is a perfect mix of uses, and

 

      19        it's why the buffering standards within the

 

      20        industrial study didn't require separate buffers

 

      21        or additional buffering standards.  In fact,

 

      22        they found that they were compatible for all the

 

      23        reasons that -- mixed use generates internal

 

      24        capture.  You've got employees living and

 

      25        working without having to get onto the collector

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           32

 

 

       1        roads.

 

       2             You do have residential, in fact, in the BP

 

       3        land use category within about a half a mile of

 

       4        here, about -- north onto Bowden Road, just

 

       5        south of Bowden, there were townhomes introduced

 

       6        in the BP.  This has been done on a number of

 

       7        occasions.  The BP land use through a -- in the

 

       8        context of a PUD has been used multiple times to

 

       9        allow for multifamily development.

 

      10             We do find that it is compatible with those

 

      11        light office and warehouse uses where everything

 

      12        is done within an enclosed building.  You don't

 

      13        have the heavier industrial uses.

 

      14             So from a compatibility standpoint, all the

 

      15        uses within the business park would be

 

      16        compatible with the multifamily use.

 

      17             And in this instance in particular, this

 

      18        property is buffered by a perimeter roadway, and

 

      19        you have I-95 on one side, and you've got

 

      20        adjacent properties that are under ownership by

 

      21        the applicant directly to the north.  So we feel

 

      22        that this is consistent with the surrounding

 

      23        area in terms of introducing this use at this

 

      24        location.

 

      25             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Okay.  I appreciate that.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           33

 

 

       1             I guess I was just -- I'm trying to think

 

       2        of it in terms of have we -- have we considered

 

       3        it all -- I guess what the -- what we'd like to

 

       4        see the future of the Southpoint area be, or are

 

       5        we just kind of moving forward kind of as we

 

       6        go?  I mean, has that been considered at all

 

       7        or --

 

       8             MR. KELLY:  It absolutely has.

 

       9             And one of the things we looked at was the

 

      10        JTA's plan for the bus rapid transit system, and

 

      11        this is directly off one of those planned future

 

      12        stations at J. Turner Butler and 95.

 

      13             We feel that that was another factor that

 

      14        we looked at in making this more of an

 

      15        appropriate site because it is introducing the

 

      16        mass transit to this area, which the residential

 

      17        will be able to support that mass transit.  And,

 

      18        again, density is always a good thing and

 

      19        appropriate in this instance.

 

      20             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      21             I appreciate that, Mr. Chairman.

 

      22             I don't want to oppose the district

 

      23        councilman.  I believe he would certainly know

 

      24        what's best for his district.  I mean, it has

 

      25        been difficult just to look at that, and knowing

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           34

 

 

       1        the character of Southpoint over there, it seems

 

       2        kind of odd that we would allow this type of

 

       3        development to go in with it being so -- with it

 

       4        being residential, but I'll support my colleague

 

       5        on his advice that it's best for his district.

 

       6             Thank you.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Councilmember

 

       8        Yarborough.

 

       9             Seeing no further speakers, we'll open the

 

      10        ballot and record the vote.

 

      11             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      12             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      13             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      14             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      15             MS. LEE:   (Votes nay.)

 

      16             MR. SHAD:  (Votes nay.)

 

      17             MR. WEBB:  (Votes nay.)

 

      18             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      19             MS. LAHMEUR:  Three yeas, three nays.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  All right.  By your action,

 

      21        it does not move from the committee.  It will

 

      22        stay in committee on our agenda.

 

      23             We're going to reopen that public hearing

 

      24        and take no further action today.

 

      25             Councilmember Redman, thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           35

 

 

       1             Do you have any other bills that you're

 

       2        here for or is that it?

 

       3             MR. REDMAN:  No.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  All right.  Thank you

 

       5        very much.

 

       6             We are back on page 5, item 11, 2007-1085.

 

       7             We'll open that public hearing.

 

       8             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

       9        public hearing with no further action.

 

      10             Item 12, 2007-1086.  Open that public

 

      11        hearing.

 

      12             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      13        public hearing with no further action.

 

      14             Item 13, 2007-1125.  We'll open that public

 

      15        hearing.

 

      16             Your agenda may be marked closed, but that

 

      17        public hearing is going to be continued with no

 

      18        further action.

 

      19             Item 14, 2007-1350.  Open that public

 

      20        hearing.

 

      21             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      22        public hearing with no further action.

 

      23             Top of page 6.  2008-23 is deferred.

 

      24             Item 16, 2008-40.  Open that public

 

      25        hearing.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           36

 

 

       1             Seeing no speakers, we will continue that

 

       2        public hearing.

 

       3             Item 17, 2008-145.  Open that public

 

       4        hearing.

 

       5             Seeing no speakers, we'll close that public

 

       6        hearing.

 

       7             MR. CLARK:  Move the amendment.

 

       8             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

      10        amendment.

 

      11             If I could have the Planning Department

 

      12        please explain the amendment.

 

      13             MR. CROFTS:  Mr. Chairman, we're on item --

 

      14        which?  2008- -- I apologize.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  2008-145.

 

      16             MR. CROFTS:  Yes.  Excuse me.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Did you find it on page 6?

 

      18             MR. CROFTS:  Yes, sir.

 

      19             The amendment is as follows:

 

      20             Condition number 1, "The development shall

 

      21        be subject to the revised legal description

 

      22        dated February 27, 2008."

 

      23             Number 2, "The development shall be subject

 

      24        to the revised written description dated May 1,

 

      25        2008."

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           37

 

 

       1             Number 3, "The development shall be subject

 

       2        to the revised site plan dated May 1st, 2008."

 

       3             Number 4, "The required transportation

 

       4        improvements shall be made in accordance with

 

       5        the Development Services Division memorandum

 

       6        dated February 25, 2008, or as otherwise

 

       7        approved by the Planning and Development

 

       8        Department."

 

       9             Number 5, "A 20-foot-wide natural buffer

 

      10        around the perimeter shall remain undisturbed."

 

      11             Number 6, "Any future buildings shall be

 

      12        required to be approved through a new

 

      13        rezoning."

 

      14             Thank you.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Crofts.

 

      16             Seeing no question on the amendment, all in

 

      17        favor signal by saying aye.

 

      18             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      20             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

      22             MR. CLARK:  Move the bill.

 

      23             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  I have a motion and second

 

      25        on 2008-145 as amended.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           38

 

 

       1             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

       2        record the vote.

 

       3             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       4             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       6             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       7             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

       8             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       9             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      10             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      11             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      13        approved 2008-145.

 

      14             Top of page 7, 2008-192.  We will open that

 

      15        public hearing.  We have quite a few speakers.

 

      16             We will begin with Bill Lee, followed by

 

      17        Wade Hampton, followed by Joann Purdie.

 

      18             If you're here on 2008-192, come on down

 

      19        towards the front and help us speed up the

 

      20        process a little bit.

 

      21             (Audience member approaches the podium.).

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Hampton, if you want to

 

      23        go first, that's fine.

 

      24             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  That would be my request,

 

      25        Mr. Chairman.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           39

 

 

       1             Wade Hampton, 10110 San Jose Boulevard.

 

       2             I'm here as a representative of

 

       3        St. Vincent's Medical Center, which is the

 

       4        largest employer and I believe one of the

 

       5        largest property owners within the proposed

 

       6        Riverside Avondale overlay district.

 

       7             St. Vincent's has been involved in some

 

       8        form or another through this legislative process

 

       9        in putting this bill together and has had the

 

      10        pleasure of working with staff, council, the

 

      11        Riverside Avondale Preservation Society [sic],

 

      12        and a number of the neighbors.

 

      13             I'm happy to report to the LUZ that the

 

      14        hospital's concerns, most of them have been

 

      15        addressed and are embodied within the current

 

      16        third substitute of the bill.

 

      17             There is one issue, however, that the

 

      18        hospital would request that this committee

 

      19        consider.  It is a proposed amendment to adjust

 

      20        certain parking provisions of the zoning

 

      21        overlay.

 

      22             I have additional copies here, which I'd

 

      23        like to place into the record.  I know that

 

      24        various versions of these amendments have been

 

      25        floating around over the life of this bill.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           40

 

 

       1             In short, there is an anomaly which exists

 

       2        within the City's parking ordinance 656.604 that

 

       3        allows substantially reduced parking

 

       4        requirements at a permitting stage based upon an

 

       5        estimation of the number of staff that are going

 

       6        to be within a building.  Then once any change

 

       7        occurs thereafter -- a new tenant, a new use, an

 

       8        expanded business, more employees -- the parking

 

       9        problem is instantly created.  Cars end up in

 

      10        the streets, cars end up clogging the corridors

 

      11        through the overlay area, particularly to the

 

      12        hospital's emergency room, and end up on

 

      13        St. Vincent's Medical Center's property.

 

      14             Now, you're probably saying to yourself why

 

      15        are we hearing about this now; shouldn't we

 

      16        address this by fixing the ordinance for parking

 

      17        itself.  Well, that's one way.  Staff is going

 

      18        to tell you that.  Legal counsel will also offer

 

      19        this opportunity to you here.  And that would be

 

      20        correct if the overlay district simply adopted

 

      21        the parking ordinance as is, where --

 

      22        100 percent, without any changes.

 

      23             The problem is the overlay district

 

      24        incorporates the ordinance and then cuts the

 

      25        parking space requirement in half in certain

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           41

 

 

       1        circumstances or in thirds in other

 

       2        circumstances, thereby exacerbating the problems

 

       3        around the hospital.

 

       4             But amendments request an objective

 

       5        standard be added.  This objective standard is

 

       6        already within the ordinance itself just by

 

       7        merely making minor adjustments to the four or

 

       8        five sections in the character area design

 

       9        standard, which is an industry standard, two

 

      10        spaces for 500 square feet.  And this would fix

 

      11        and resolve all of the hospital's concerns, and

 

      12        St. Vincent's would be happy to support this

 

      13        ordinance if these amendments could be made.

 

      14             If the staff might suggest to you that we

 

      15        do this later in the parking ordinance or

 

      16        somewhere else, you could imagine what would

 

      17        occur.  You'd have a lot of permitting, a lot of

 

      18        building in the area, and then the bill would be

 

      19        adjusted to the parking permit.  And so you'd

 

      20        have a mad rush to get your project in under the

 

      21        old rule, before the new one, whereas this body

 

      22        could make that amendment now and resolve this

 

      23        issue for the hospital going forward.

 

      24             I have a representative of St. Vincent's,

 

      25        Mr. Bill Lee, here.  I'm happy to answer any

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           42

 

 

       1        questions that we have or discuss those design

 

       2        standards and industrial standards in more

 

       3        detail.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Hampton.

 

       5             Mr. Lee, I have you next, followed by

 

       6        Joann Purdie, followed by Kay Ehas.

 

       7             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       8             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Hi.

 

       9             I'm Bill Lee.  I'm the director of real

 

      10        estate and property management with

 

      11        St. Vincent's Medical Center, and I've been

 

      12        before this body before and brought statistics

 

      13        and information from MGMA, which is a

 

      14        benchmarking company that's highly known and

 

      15        respected in the medical industry.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Lee, hang on one second.

 

      17             Mr. Hampton, I'm going to have you sit down

 

      18        while he's speaking, please.

 

      19             MR. HAMPTON:  Yes, sir.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      21             MR. LEE:  And a result of that information,

 

      22        we were comparing, well, what -- how does

 

      23        medical space compare to professional office

 

      24        space.  And this comparison indicated the very

 

      25        same -- they were very similar, practically the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           43

 

 

       1        same, two spaces per 500, which is what

 

       2        professional office space is.

 

       3             What's been brought up in the past, in

 

       4        fact, before this body, by another applicant was

 

       5        some -- some information presented by the

 

       6        applicant that we -- we didn't agree with.  We

 

       7        thought that the number of doctors that were

 

       8        submitted and the number of staff and the number

 

       9        of exam rooms just didn't -- it didn't seem to

 

      10        meet the MGMA standards or what we've known to

 

      11        be for that parking, and the result of it was

 

      12        that about half of the parking was calculated to

 

      13        be needed.

 

      14             And if that applicant later -- which is --

 

      15        if that's what it was, that's what would have

 

      16        happened.  But if that applicant later changed

 

      17        his mind and said, "Gosh, I don't want medical

 

      18        space.  I'm having a hard time" -- for whatever

 

      19        reason, or whatever. "I don't have enough

 

      20        parking.  I'm going to convert it to

 

      21        professional office."  Well, guess what?

 

      22        There's not the number of parking spaces needed

 

      23        that are necessary in a professional office, the

 

      24        two for 500.

 

      25             We're trying to close that loophole.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           44

 

 

       1        That's what we're trying to do with our

 

       2        amendment and that's what it addresses.

 

       3             It addresses parking needs for office uses

 

       4        simply be four per 1,000 or two for 500.  That's

 

       5        how it's worded in the ordinance.  And then it's

 

       6        not going to be up to an applicant.  And

 

       7        before -- when it comes before the Planning

 

       8        staff to respond to the staff questions, which

 

       9        are, how many doctors, how many staff, and how

 

      10        many exam rooms.  Well, personally they

 

      11        shouldn't care.  It's office use, just do the

 

      12        calculation.  And if they convert it later,

 

      13        that's fine.  So be it.

 

      14             But, Councilman Corrigan, I know you

 

      15        supported -- you did not support 50 percent

 

      16        reduction in the office character area.  You

 

      17        actually suggested -- and it's in the ordinance

 

      18        now that there's only 35 percent reduction in

 

      19        that area.  And we support that, wholly support

 

      20        that.  Unfortunately, this loophole and this

 

      21        provision will allow an applicant more -- much

 

      22        more than 35 percent credit.  Perhaps a

 

      23        60 percent or even more.

 

      24             That's not acceptable to St. Vincent's.  We

 

      25        don't want that many cars going into the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           45

 

 

       1        neighborhood just because an applicant perhaps

 

       2        was inexperienced or maybe -- hopefully he

 

       3        didn't intentionally do it in the future, and

 

       4        we're trying to avoid that, and that's what this

 

       5        amendment suggests.

 

       6             Thank you.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

       8             Our next speaker is Joann Purdie, followed

 

       9        by Kay Ehas, followed by Carmen Godwin.

 

      10             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      11             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Joann Purdie, 2210

 

      12        St. Johns Avenue.

 

      13             This has been a very long process, the

 

      14        Riverside Avondale overlay.  We've had numerous

 

      15        meetings with the Steering Committee, which I'm

 

      16        a member of the Steering Committee.  And the

 

      17        committee consisted of businesses, neighbors.

 

      18        Councilman Corrigan was very good in putting

 

      19        everybody he could think of, pro or con, on the

 

      20        Steering Committee so we could hash stuff out.

 

      21             We've had numerous public meetings with the

 

      22        neighborhood.  All and all, it was a give and

 

      23        take on both parts.  It's a very good ordinance,

 

      24        and I hope you would support it.

 

      25             Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           46

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

       2             Kay Ehas, followed by Carmen Godwin,

 

       3        followed by Jack Shad.

 

       4             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       5             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good afternoon.

 

       6             Kay Ehas, 2322 Dellwood Avenue, member of

 

       7        the Steering Committee and Chair of Riverside

 

       8        Avondale Preservation.

 

       9             I'm here in support of the overlay bill,

 

      10        and I'm really here to thank three particular

 

      11        people.  It was a long, hard process, a lot of

 

      12        give and take.  As you can imagine, people in

 

      13        the neighborhood care deeply about their

 

      14        neighborhood and wanted to get this right.

 

      15             So I want to thank Dylan Reingold from

 

      16        General Counsel's Office, Sean Kelly from the

 

      17        Planning Department, and Michael Corrigan for

 

      18        their willingness to listen to concerns and

 

      19        ideas.  They have been totally patient,

 

      20        thoughtful, and creative throughout the process,

 

      21        and I wanted to just publicly thank them for

 

      22        that.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      24             Carmen Godwin, followed by Jack Shad,

 

      25        followed by Mark Rubin.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           47

 

 

       1             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       2             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Hi.

 

       3             Carmen Godwin, 2623 Herschel Street.

 

       4             I am the new executive director for

 

       5        Riverside Avondale Preservation, so I'm here on

 

       6        behalf of that organization.

 

       7             The board of directors feel that the

 

       8        overlay is -- represents a pivotal move in

 

       9        Jacksonville's history as it will further

 

      10        protect the historic fabric of these valuable

 

      11        neighborhoods.

 

      12             Again, as others have said, RAP did not see

 

      13        everything that it wanted in the document, but

 

      14        we felt that it was important to offer

 

      15        compromise in order to meet the needs of our

 

      16        diverse community.  Those compromises included

 

      17        height increases in some places and relaxed

 

      18        parking requirements in others.

 

      19             The great thing about the overlay is that

 

      20        it doesn't take away anyone's rights, but it

 

      21        does offer added protection for the residential

 

      22        areas.  It also codifies the existing built

 

      23        environment, which will result in much fewer

 

      24        deviation and variance requests.

 

      25             Ultimately, we feel that the overlay is a

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           48

 

 

       1        good document.  It took several years and many

 

       2        interested parties in putting it together.  And

 

       3        we hope that you will take the advice of those

 

       4        parties who have put so much of their time and

 

       5        expertise into this document and approve it.

 

       6             Thank you.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

       8             I have Jack Shad, followed by Mark Rubin.

 

       9             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      11             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Jack Shad.

 

      12             Do you need my address or --

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Yes, please.

 

      14             MR. J. SHAD:  Okay.  1022 Park Street,

 

      15        Number 201.

 

      16             I'm here as a resident of Avondale, as a

 

      17        member of RAP, and as someone who has done a

 

      18        redevelopment project in the district, and I

 

      19        also served on the Steering Committee.

 

      20             We believe that the overlay will reduce the

 

      21        difficulty for homeowners seeking to upgrade

 

      22        their property.  They'll need to seek fewer

 

      23        deviations and variances.  It will reduce the

 

      24        number of PUDs required to redevelop properties,

 

      25        simplify the process, and should provide more

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           49

 

 

       1        predictability for developers.

 

       2             If there are any questions, I'd be happy to

 

       3        answer them.  Otherwise --

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.  I appreciate

 

       5        it.  No questions at this point.

 

       6             Our final speaker is Mark Rubin.

 

       7             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

       9             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good evening, members of

 

      10        the committee, Mr. Chairman.

 

      11             I'm Mark Rubin, 1649 Atlantic Boulevard,

 

      12        Jacksonville.

 

      13             I'm also a member of the Steering

 

      14        Committee, as well as a real estate developer

 

      15        who has developed projects in the Riverside

 

      16        Avondale area.  We own property there.  And we

 

      17        have done projects in the past; we intend to do

 

      18        more in the future.

 

      19             I, too, was on the committee.  We've had a

 

      20        couple of years worth of meetings.  I confirm

 

      21        the accolades for the Chairman as well as

 

      22        Mr. Reingold and Mr. Kelly, and other members of

 

      23        staff, as well as RAP, and all the people that

 

      24        attended the Steering Committee.  It was a long

 

      25        effort and it was emotional at times.  A lot of

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        people had different agendas, but in the end,

 

       2        we -- it was a -- it was -- it was a battle.  It

 

       3        was a give-and-take battle that ultimately

 

       4        resolved in compromise.  And compromise is

 

       5        nobody getting exactly what they want, but

 

       6        everybody being comfortable with what they --

 

       7        what we've achieved.  And I think what we've

 

       8        achieved, from an overall standpoint, is

 

       9        something that's really good for the Riverside

 

      10        Avondale area.

 

      11             I'm a little troubled by Mr. Lee's comments

 

      12        and Mr. Hampton's comments because this is the

 

      13        first I hear of this issue.  And Mr. Lee was on

 

      14        the Steering Committee, and this issue -- I'm

 

      15        not exactly sure what he's asking for in the

 

      16        amendment, but I -- from what I heard, I think

 

      17        I'm against it because it opens Pandora's box in

 

      18        terms of creating a whole other level of

 

      19        regulation.

 

      20             The time to raise this was at the Steering

 

      21        Committee.  Mr. Lee has certainly had an

 

      22        opportunity to do that.  I didn't hear this

 

      23        raised anywhere else.  So it's new and it's

 

      24        really too late to address this issue as far as

 

      25        I'm concerned because it was -- it might have

 

 

 

 

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       1        been appropriate when there was the compromise

 

       2        process going back and forth, but to throw it in

 

       3        now at the end, without understanding all the

 

       4        ramifications -- which there could be many, one

 

       5        of which is how do you police it.

 

       6             When you start off with one use and then

 

       7        you're concerned about some use changing within

 

       8        office versus medical, it's a very complicated

 

       9        analysis.  The zoning code -- and I would ask

 

      10        you to ask staff about that, if you choose to

 

      11        discuss this more.

 

      12             But the zoning code specifically talks

 

      13        about medical uses versus office uses and makes

 

      14        distinctions between them.  And to come up here

 

      15        and wave some acronym, MGMA, without any

 

      16        foundation or basis or evidence to -- to compare

 

      17        and to validate what they've said is really

 

      18        inappropriate at the 11th hour.

 

      19             So I would -- I would implore this

 

      20        committee to not entertain any amendments and

 

      21        ratify the good work of the Steering Committee

 

      22        and ratify the Planning Commission, which has

 

      23        passed this.

 

      24             And thank you for your time.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             I don't see any other speakers, so we'll

 

       2        close that public hearing.

 

       3             We have a substitute.

 

       4             MR. CLARK:  Move the sub.

 

       5             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

       7        substitute.

 

       8             Seeing no discussion on the substitute, all

 

       9        in favor signal by saying aye.

 

      10             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      12             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  The substitute carries.

 

      14             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill as subbed.

 

      15             MR. SHAD:  Second.

 

      16             Councilmember --

 

      17             I have a motion and second on the bill as

 

      18        subbed.

 

      19             Councilmember Clark.

 

      20             MR. CLARK:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      21             I do have a couple of questions since it's

 

      22        clearly an issue with parking in Riverside.  And

 

      23        I'm just curious, listening to Mr. Rubin and

 

      24        St. Vincent's -- if I could ask a question of

 

      25        Mr. Lee and find out, if indeed, was this issue

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        raised during the committee meetings?  If not,

 

       2        why.  And -- and should you have fought more

 

       3        vehemently for it.

 

       4             (Mr. Lee approaches the podium.)

 

       5             MR. LEE:  Well, the -- no.  No, the answer

 

       6        was it was not raised in the committee

 

       7        meetings.  I don't believe it was foreseen by

 

       8        the committee members, at least those that I was

 

       9        present with, until a particular application

 

      10        came forth called Doctors Village.  And it

 

      11        was -- it raised our eyebrows as well as many of

 

      12        yours.

 

      13             A lot of that application had to do with --

 

      14        specifically, it was approximately 12 physician

 

      15        offices that was presented to the staff.  Each

 

      16        office was 4,000 square feet.  And from that

 

      17        information, there was an assumption that that

 

      18        would be one physician per office and it would

 

      19        require so many exam rooms and so many staff

 

      20        based on whatever information the applicant

 

      21        worked out or discussed with the Planning

 

      22        staff.

 

      23             That information would have provided what

 

      24        we thought was half -- 50 percent of the number

 

      25        of parking spaces that were actually needed.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        And from that moment on, everybody has been

 

       2        involved, or at least been aware of our concern.

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  And I can explain it a

 

       4        little bit, if I could, Councilman Clark.

 

       5             That -- this particular issue was not

 

       6        discussed at length at the overlay committee

 

       7        meetings I went to, but parking has been a huge

 

       8        discussion in this overlay process.  I mean,

 

       9        it's what to do in existing commercial and

 

      10        office and residential areas and everything

 

      11        else.  So parking has been probably one of the

 

      12        top two or three issues in this overlay.

 

      13             MR. CLARK:  Well, to my point.  I mean, we

 

      14        have seen and RAP has obviously had to deal with

 

      15        a tremendous amount of conversion, trying to

 

      16        keep things historically.  We have banks that

 

      17        try to keep those historically, even though

 

      18        they're no longer residential, things like

 

      19        that.  And we see it time and time again.  And,

 

      20        you know, my concern is -- as with any

 

      21        development, and predominantly a historic

 

      22        area -- the parking is woefully inadequate when

 

      23        you start turning uses from residential to

 

      24        commercial.

 

      25             And to St. Vincent's point, they're the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        ones who bear the burden.  I mean, they're the

 

       2        ones who basically turn into the overflow

 

       3        parking lot, so I understand their concern.

 

       4             And from a -- if I could ask the Planning

 

       5        Department, I mean, what's your feeling on

 

       6        how -- I mean, we've been pretty strict on the

 

       7        parking to date.  Is that a loophole that you

 

       8        see as going to be a long-term issue that we're

 

       9        going to have to face time and time again, or

 

      10        what -- what do you see?

 

      11             MR. KELLY:  Through the Chair to

 

      12        Councilmember Clark, no, I don't think there's a

 

      13        loophole.

 

      14             Parking requirements today in Part 6

 

      15        clearly delineate medical office parking needs

 

      16        versus professional office parking needs.

 

      17        There's two separate standards there.

 

      18             Again, I mean, this did come up, in fact,

 

      19        yesterday.  My fear is the unintended

 

      20        consequences of adopting this all of a sudden,

 

      21        potentially making numerous medical offices that

 

      22        are existing nonconforming.  Also, you're

 

      23        encouraging more surface parking lots in a

 

      24        historic neighborhood, which is something we

 

      25        don't want to do.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             And so I think it's probably -- again, it's

 

       2        the wrong place, it's the wrong time.  Again,

 

       3        you go to a suburban area of town and they're

 

       4        going to be required potentially to have less

 

       5        parking than would be otherwise required in

 

       6        Riverside for the same use.

 

       7             So, to me, it's not appropriate.  We're not

 

       8        supportive of any amendment with regards to the

 

       9        parking.

 

      10             MR. CLARK:  Thank you.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Well, I'll tell you, I'm

 

      12        a -- I've been a little surprised at

 

      13        St. Vincent's position because in every hospital

 

      14        I go to, there's a parking problem.  And so I'm

 

      15        a little bewildered on their position that they

 

      16        want to increase the amount of parking.

 

      17             But it is a problem existing.  I

 

      18        actually -- and Sean Kelly and I have had a

 

      19        lengthy discussion on this.  I disagree with our

 

      20        parking ordinance now.  I think that it needs

 

      21        some attention, and why we're letting less for

 

      22        medical when a standard office is not going to

 

      23        get near as many visits as a medical office, so

 

      24        I have some issues with that.

 

      25             And if we don't take them up here on this

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        bill, I'm going to take them up on the general

 

       2        parking bill because I think that we need to

 

       3        look at that and see if we have the right number

 

       4        because I think it's an issue and I think

 

       5        St. Vincent's is correct, it's an issue on this

 

       6        one.

 

       7             So I have mixed emotions, and I've spent --

 

       8        I don't know how many hundreds of hours on this

 

       9        particular overlay trying to get it correct and

 

      10        continue to think that it's better for the

 

      11        community.  So thank you.

 

      12             Do you have questions?

 

      13             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  I don't see any other

 

      15        speakers, so let's open the ballot and record

 

      16        the vote.

 

      17             MR. REINGOLD:  Did you move the sub?

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  Did we move the sub?

 

      19             MR. CLARK:  We did.

 

      20             MR. REINGOLD:  Did you move the amendment?

 

      21             (Inaudible discussion.)

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  We're in good order.

 

      23             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      24             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      25             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       6             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your actions, you've

 

       8        passed 2008-192.

 

       9             And let me echo some of the comments that

 

      10        were said earlier to the Planning staff,

 

      11        especially Sean Kelly and the Historic

 

      12        Preservation planning staff, and to

 

      13        Dylan Reingold from OGC.

 

      14             A tremendous amount of work went into this

 

      15        document.  I appreciate all the energy to this

 

      16        point.  And I'm sure we've missed a couple of

 

      17        things in this process, and we'll probably have

 

      18        to come back at times and look at it, but we'll

 

      19        be happy to.

 

      20             Dylan Reingold.

 

      21             MR. REINGOLD:  To the Chair, I know my name

 

      22        has been brought up a bunch, but I would also at

 

      23        least like to acknowledge Mr. Jason Teal, who is

 

      24        also here.  He worked on this diligently also

 

      25        for -- put in plenty of hours on this.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  And I did not see him back

 

       2        there.

 

       3             Jason, I appreciate all your help on this

 

       4        as well.

 

       5             This has been worked on for about

 

       6        two-and-a-half years, so I appreciate it.

 

       7             We are on to item 19, 2008-227.

 

       8             We'll open that public hearing.

 

       9             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      10        public hearing.

 

      11             2008-231.  We'll open that public hearing.

 

      12             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      13        public hearing.

 

      14             We have an ex-parte declaration by

 

      15        Councilmember Yarborough.

 

      16             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      17             I know we're not taking action on it

 

      18        tonight.  I just wanted to declare ex-parte.

 

      19             2008-231, I talked with attorney Anna Shea

 

      20        and also Todd Plantis (phonetic) of Racetrac

 

      21        Gasoline Company about the revised site plan in

 

      22        my office on May 28th at 3 o'clock to discuss

 

      23        the site plan and also the impact to the

 

      24        surrounding properties.

 

      25             Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you,

 

       2        Councilmember Yarborough.

 

       3             We are now on the top of page 8.  2008-236

 

       4        is deferred.

 

       5             Item 22, 2008-258.  We will open that

 

       6        public hearing.

 

       7             Seeing no speakers, we'll close that public

 

       8        hearing.

 

       9             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the sub.

 

      10             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  We have a motion and a

 

      12        second on the substitute to -258.

 

      13             Seeing no discussion on the sub, all in

 

      14        favor of the sub signal by saying aye.

 

      15             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      17             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  The substitute carries.

 

      19             MR. WEBB:  Move to rerefer.

 

      20             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  I have a motion and second

 

      22        to rerefer 2008-258 as substituted.

 

      23             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

      24        record the vote.

 

      25             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

 

 

 

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       1             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       6             MS. LAHMEUR:  Four yeas, zero nays.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

       8        subbed and rereferred 2008-258.

 

       9             We're on item 23, 2008-268.  The

 

      10        aforementioned Mr. Paul Harden is here to speak

 

      11        on that bill.

 

      12             (Mr. Harden approaches the podium.)

 

      13             MR. HARDEN:  Paul Harden, 1301 Riverplace

 

      14        Boulevard.

 

      15             This is a PUD which coordinates two land

 

      16        use map amendments that have already been

 

      17        approved by the council.  They were in separate

 

      18        zoning classifications.  The -- this PUD is to

 

      19        just put them all into one -- one zoning so that

 

      20        the land use is now consistent with the zoning.

 

      21             The Planning Commission had an amendment

 

      22        that was approved by the Planning Department

 

      23        that we are in agreement to.

 

      24             I'll be happy to answer any questions.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Harden.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             I don't see any questions for you at this

 

       2        point, so we'll go ahead and close that public

 

       3        hearing.

 

       4             MR. WEBB:  Move the amendment.

 

       5             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  I have a motion and second

 

       7        on the amendment to -268.

 

       8             Let's go to the Planning Department for the

 

       9        explanation of the amendment.

 

      10             MR. CROFTS:  Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman.

 

      11             The amendment consists of the following:

 

      12             Condition number 1, "The development shall

 

      13        be subject to the revised legal description

 

      14        dated June 12, 2008."

 

      15             Number 2, "The development shall be subject

 

      16        to the original written description dated

 

      17        February 22, 2008."

 

      18             Number 3, "The development shall be subject

 

      19        to the original site plan dated February 22,

 

      20        2008."

 

      21             Number 4, "No maintenance, repair or body

 

      22        shop uses shall occur on the western 100 feet of

 

      23        the property."

 

      24             Number 5, "The 35-foot setback buffer along

 

      25        the west property line shall consist of a 4-inch

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        diameter breast height evergreen tree planted

 

       2        for every 25 feet of the uncomplementary land

 

       3        use boundary.  All other planting and visual

 

       4        screening requirements of section 656.1216 of

 

       5        the zoning code shall apply."

 

       6             Number 6 and finally, "There shall be no

 

       7        signage on Townsend Boulevard within 100 feet of

 

       8        a residentially-zoned property."

 

       9             Thank you, sir.

 

      10             MR. HARDEN:  The dates are wrong on the

 

      11        written description, the site plan.  I think we

 

      12        corrected them at Planning Commission.  The site

 

      13        plan and written description were updated and

 

      14        include both pieces of property.  That's dated

 

      15        June 12th as well, the site plan and written

 

      16        description.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  We're getting that verified

 

      18        by the Planning Department.

 

      19             MR. CROFTS:  That would be correct.

 

      20             So the first three conditions would all

 

      21        reference June 12th, 2008.

 

      22             Thank you.

 

      23             MR. HARDEN:  That's correct.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  And you agree to that,

 

      25        Mr. Harden?

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             MR. HARDEN:  Yes.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you very much.

 

       3             Councilmember Lee.

 

       4             MS. LEE:  Yes.  I have a question, through

 

       5        the Chair, to Mr. Kelly.

 

       6             Mr. Kelly, the conditions that you just

 

       7        read, are those conditions recommended by the

 

       8        Planning Department?

 

       9             MR. KELLY:  That's correct.

 

      10             The Planning Commission adopted -- or

 

      11        recommended approval with the conditions

 

      12        indicated in the letter.  The only changes were

 

      13        to the dates of the legal description, written

 

      14        description, and the site plan.

 

      15             MS. LEE:  How were the conditions -- how

 

      16        did the conditions come up?  Was there -- the

 

      17        neighbors or any particular business?  Who

 

      18        recommended the conditions?  How did they get

 

      19        there?

 

      20             MR. KELLY:  The Planning Department.

 

      21             MS. LEE:  The Planning Department thought

 

      22        those conditions were necessary?

 

      23             MR. KELLY:  That's correct.

 

      24             Based on the site plan and the extent of

 

      25        the use, the original -- or the site plan

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           65

 

 

       1        essentially originally showed one building that

 

       2        basically bisected two separate PUDs.  So the

 

       3        reason for the revision was to incorporate this

 

       4        as one legal description and then rezone the

 

       5        entire automotive dealership.

 

       6             But the buffering standards that were in

 

       7        place identified the 30-foot -- basically

 

       8        35-foot setback, and then we had restrictions on

 

       9        the uses that could occur within 100 feet of the

 

      10        residential uses.

 

      11             MS. LEE:  Okay.  And this is the --

 

      12             Okay.  Thank you, Mr. Kelly.

 

      13             (Mr. Yarborough assumes the Chair.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Councilwoman Lee.

 

      15             Any further discussion on the amendment?

 

      16             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none, all in favor of

 

      18        the amendment signify by saying aye.

 

      19             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      20             (Mr. Franklin approaches the podium.)

 

      21             MR. FRANKLIN:  (Inaudible.)

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Is this on this bill?

 

      23             Hang on one second.

 

      24             Ms. Eller, would it be okay if we reopen

 

      25        the public hearing?  We just had a speaker come

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        up.  Would that be in procedure?

 

       2             MS. ELLER:  (Nods head.)

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  We'll open the public

 

       4        hearing back briefly.

 

       5             Tim Franklin to speak to this bill.  If

 

       6        you'd come up and state your name and address

 

       7        for the record, please, sir.

 

       8             (Mr. Franklin approaches the podium.)

 

       9             MR. FRANKLIN:  Thank you, Mr. Chair.  Good

 

      10        evening, committee members.

 

      11             Tim Franklin, 408 Seagate Avenue.

 

      12             I'm here on behalf of Hershel Jackson, who

 

      13        lives on the property, just to the west of this,

 

      14        for about 500 feet along the western boundary

 

      15        line of the dealership property.

 

      16             He lives adjacent to the -- originally

 

      17        there was a small .85 parcel going in with a

 

      18        separate PUD.  And as Mr. Kelly ably explained,

 

      19        the amendment here goes to combining that with

 

      20        the prior PUD, going PUD to PUD as opposed to

 

      21        having two different PUDs with two different

 

      22        written descriptions for part of the dealership

 

      23        property and this property.

 

      24             I just wanted to say, we had some concerns

 

      25        about the bill originally as it was drafted with

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           67

 

 

       1        the inclusion of -- I believe it's conditions 3

 

       2        and 4 that the Planning Commission recommended,

 

       3        namely, the 35-foot uncomplementary buffer.  And

 

       4        also a restriction on automotive sales -- excuse

 

       5        me -- automotive repair work and automotive body

 

       6        work within 100 feet of that western boundary.

 

       7             With those two conditions that we worked

 

       8        with the Planning Department on, we're okay with

 

       9        the bill as it's written.  We think it will

 

      10        provide a sufficient buffer to our property.

 

      11             Without those conditions, though, I'm

 

      12        afraid that it's going to significantly

 

      13        devalue -- devalue the property to the west of

 

      14        my client and, frankly, ruin his quality of life

 

      15        with the kind of impacts you'd expect from a

 

      16        large PUD like this.

 

      17             So with those two conditions, though, we

 

      18        are -- we are not opposed to this bill.

 

      19             Thank you.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, sir.

 

      21             Questions for Mr. Franklin?

 

      22             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none, we will reclose

 

      24        the public hearing.

 

      25             MR. CORRIGAN:  Move the bill.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           68

 

 

       1             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Motion and second on the

 

       3        bill as amended.

 

       4             Any discussion?

 

       5             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none, open the

 

       7        ballot.

 

       8             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       9             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      10             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      11             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      12             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

      13             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      14             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      15             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      16             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you have

 

      18        approved 2008-268 as amended.

 

      19             Committee members, page 9.  2008-279 is

 

      20        deferred, as well as 2008-280.

 

      21             We've already taken up 2008-313, so we'll

 

      22        move to 2008-314.

 

      23             We'll open the public hearing.

 

      24             MS. LEE:  Move to defer --

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  I'm sorry?

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           69

 

 

       1             MS. LEE:  I'm sorry.  Go ahead.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Ms. Lee, did you --

 

       3             There were no speakers, so we'll go ahead

 

       4        and close that public hearing.

 

       5             Go ahead, Ms. Lee.

 

       6             MS. LEE:  Yes.  Mr. Chairman, I would

 

       7        like -- I would like for this bill to be

 

       8        deferred.  As you can see, the Planning

 

       9        Department has recommended denial.

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Yes, ma'am.

 

      11             MS. LEE:  And the representatives of this

 

      12        particular rezoning have requested to talk to me

 

      13        concerning this matter.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.

 

      15             MS. LEE:  And in fairness to them, I would

 

      16        like the opportunity to speak with them.  That

 

      17        has no bearing on my decision of how I'm going

 

      18        to vote, but I think, just out of courtesy, that

 

      19        I would like to oblige them.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Let me ask our Chairman.

 

      21             Mr. Corrigan, request to defer -314.  Is

 

      22        that -- will that be acceptable, sir?

 

      23             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Inaudible.)

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Ms. Lee, we'll defer -314.

 

      25             I'm sorry.  We'll reopen the public hearing

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           70

 

 

       1        and we'll continue it to the next committee

 

       2        meeting.

 

       3             MS. ELLER:  Yes.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Which I'm not sure what date

 

       5        in July that is, but the next time LUZ meets,

 

       6        we'll continue.

 

       7             July 15th.

 

       8             Ms. Lee, go ahead.

 

       9             MS. LEE:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      10             And, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate this

 

      11        because it is in the area that I represent, you

 

      12        know.  And I just think common courtesy would --

 

      13        you know.

 

      14             So thank you.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  You're welcome, Ms. Lee.

 

      16        Thank you.

 

      17             2008-314 will be deferred.

 

      18             Committee members, top of page 10,

 

      19        2008-361.  We'll open the public hearing.

 

      20             We have one speaker, Emily Pierce.

 

      21             (Ms. Pierce approaches the podium.)

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      23             If you'd state your name and address,

 

      24        Ms. Pierce.

 

      25             MS. PIERCE:  Emily Pierce, 1301 Riverplace

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           71

 

 

       1        Boulevard.

 

       2             This is a PUD to PUD rezoning in Councilman

 

       3        Corrigan's district.  We have spoken and met

 

       4        with him about it.  We have a Planning

 

       5        Department recommendation of approval and

 

       6        Planning Commission support, and I request your

 

       7        support.

 

       8             Thank you.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      10             Questions for Ms. Pierce?

 

      11             MS. LEE:  (Inaudible.)

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  Were you up from last time?

 

      13             MS. LEE:  (Inaudible.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  That's all right.

 

      15             Any questions for Ms. Pierce?

 

      16             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  We'll close the public

 

      18        hearing.

 

      19             MR. CLARK:  Move the amendment.

 

      20             MR. CORRIGAN:  Second.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

      22        amendment.

 

      23             Mr. Crofts.

 

      24             MR. CROFTS:  Yes.  The amendment is as

 

      25        follows:

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           72

 

 

       1             Condition number 1, "The developer shall be

 

       2        subject to the original legal description dated

 

       3        April 10, 2008."

 

       4             Number 2, "The developer shall be subject

 

       5        to the original written description dated

 

       6        April 10, 2008."

 

       7             Number 3, "The developer shall be subject

 

       8        to the original site plan dated April 9, 2008."

 

       9             Number 4 and finally, "Transportation

 

      10        improvements shall be made in accordance with

 

      11        the Development Services memorandum dated

 

      12        April 30, 2008, or as otherwise approved by the

 

      13        Planning and Development Department."

 

      14             Thank you.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Crofts.

 

      16             Ms. Pierce, you're in agreement with the

 

      17        conditions as read?

 

      18             MS. PIERCE:  Yes, we are.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      20             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  We haven't voted on the

 

      22        amendment yet.

 

      23             MR. WEBB:  Move the amendment.

 

      24             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  All in favor of the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           73

 

 

       1        amendment say aye.

 

       2             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

       3             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill as amended.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Now we can move the bill as

 

       5        amended.

 

       6             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  There's a motion and second

 

       8        on the bill as amended.

 

       9             Any discussion?

 

      10             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none, open the

 

      12        ballot.

 

      13             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      14             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      15             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      16             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      17             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

      18             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      19             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      20             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      21             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      23             By your action, you have approved 2008-361

 

      24        as amended.

 

      25             2008-362.  We'll open the public hearing.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           74

 

 

       1             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue the

 

       2        public hearing with no other action this

 

       3        evening.

 

       4             2008-363.  We'll open the public hearing.

 

       5             We have one speaker, Mr. Hainline.

 

       6             (Mr. Hainline approaches the podium.)

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening, sir.

 

       8             MR. HAINLINE:  Good evening.

 

       9             T.R. Hainline, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard.

 

      10             This is PUD amendment for Metro Square,

 

      11        down at University Boulevard and Emerson.  As

 

      12        you know, Metro Square has really helped to pull

 

      13        that area up, and they want to add some

 

      14        entitlements.  And we've worked well with the

 

      15        Planning Department to come up with conditions.

 

      16             The only -- and I'm happy to answer any

 

      17        questions.

 

      18             The only thing I would ask you to be sure

 

      19        and do is to amend it to include the Planning

 

      20        Commission conditions because the Commission

 

      21        changed one of the conditions with the agreement

 

      22        of the Planning Department at the Planning

 

      23        Commission meeting.

 

      24             So that would be the only point I would

 

      25        make, and I'm happy to answer any questions.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           75

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

       2             Questions for Mr. Hainline?

 

       3             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none and no further

 

       5        speakers, we'll close that public hearing.

 

       6             MR. WEBB:  Move the amendment.

 

       7             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

       9        amendment.

 

      10             Mr. Crofts.

 

      11             MR. CROFTS:  The amendment is as follows:

 

      12             "The development shall be subject to the

 

      13        original legal description dated April 21,

 

      14        2008."

 

      15             Number 2, "The development shall be subject

 

      16        to the original written description dated

 

      17        April 21, 2008."

 

      18             Number 3, "The development shall be subject

 

      19        to the original site plan dated April 16,

 

      20        2008."

 

      21             Number 4, "The development shall be subject

 

      22        to the Development Services memorandum dated

 

      23        April 30, 2008, and the FDOT memorandum dated

 

      24        June 2, 2008, or as otherwise approved by the

 

      25        Planning and Development Department."

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           76

 

 

       1             Fifth and finally, "Signage exhibits per

 

       2        enacted ordinance 2003-836-E shall still

 

       3        apply."

 

       4             That concludes the amendment.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Crofts.

 

       6             Mr. Hainline, are you in agreement?

 

       7             MR. HAINLINE:  Yes.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  He's acknowledging

 

       9        that.

 

      10             Thank you, Mr. Crofts.

 

      11             All in favor of the amendment say aye.

 

      12             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Any opposed?

 

      14             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      16        approved the amendment.

 

      17             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      18             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

      20        bill as amended.

 

      21             Any discussion?

 

      22             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none, open the

 

      24        ballot.

 

      25             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           77

 

 

       1             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

       5             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       6             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       7             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       8             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      10        approved 2008-363 as amended.

 

      11             2008-364.  We'll open the public hearing.

 

      12        We have one speaker, Mr. Hart.

 

      13             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening, sir.

 

      15             If you'll state your name and address,

 

      16        please.

 

      17             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Justin Hart, 8051 Tara

 

      18        Lane.

 

      19             I'm here to ask for your support for a

 

      20        minimum road frontage waiver so Mr. Alvarez can

 

      21        build a house on his 120-acre farm.  He

 

      22        currently has a 60-foot easement.

 

      23             There's been some miscommunication.  And if

 

      24        you read the staff report, they've made a

 

      25        mistake.  They've written the staff report based

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           78

 

 

       1        on five acres.  I think I can easily explain

 

       2        that.

 

       3             I want to be clear that this is one RE

 

       4        number.  It's on a 120-acre farm with a 60-foot

 

       5        easement off Arnold Road.

 

       6             When I applied for the minimum road

 

       7        frontage waiver, it was brought to my attention

 

       8        that you need a signed and sealed, up-to-date

 

       9        legal survey.  After explaining that it would

 

      10        cost up above 40 grand to get a survey of the

 

      11        whole 120 acres, we've come up with a solution

 

      12        to just survey the 5-acre parcel that his house

 

      13        and his barn is going to go on.

 

      14             And so, when I filled out the application,

 

      15        I put in that it would be a five -- this is a

 

      16        5-acre parcel of the 120 under one RE number.

 

      17        However, if you read your staff report, it's

 

      18        based on five acres.

 

      19             I want to reiterate this is one parcel of

 

      20        land, 120 acres.

 

      21             Currently, Arnold Road and Pecan Park Road

 

      22        has several new subdivisions.  The average

 

      23        density of those subdivisions is three units per

 

      24        acre.  Also, the blue book states that in order

 

      25        to build a subdivision, you have to have a

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           79

 

 

       1        50-foot easement for a subdivision, no matter

 

       2        how large.

 

       3             So I'm here to say that currently the area

 

       4        has a density of three to -- three units per one

 

       5        acre.  And 95 percent of subdivisions in

 

       6        Jacksonville only have a 50-foot easement into

 

       7        those subdivisions.

 

       8             What we're asking for is to allow

 

       9        Mr. Alvarez to build a house on his family's

 

      10        120-acre farm.  He has a 60-foot easement, which

 

      11        is 10 foot more than 95 percent of all

 

      12        subdivisions in Duval County.

 

      13             However, it's not curb and guttered and

 

      14        paved.  It is well-maintained, and it serves

 

      15        only his house and Mr. Alvarez's house.

 

      16             I would appreciate your support.  Here to

 

      17        answer any questions.

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Hart.

 

      19             Any questions?

 

      20             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none, we'll close the

 

      22        public hearing.

 

      23             I will entertain a motion.

 

      24             MR. CLARK:  Move to grant --

 

      25             MR. CORRIGAN:  Second.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           80

 

 

       1             MR. KELLY:  To the Chair --

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Kelly --

 

       3             There's a motion and second to grant.

 

       4             Mr. Kelly.

 

       5             MR. KELLY:  Yes, sir.

 

       6             We, at this time, would change our

 

       7        position.  We do have a couple of amendments

 

       8        based on the miscommunication with regards to

 

       9        the acreage.

 

      10             It was under- -- I guess the thought was

 

      11        that they -- essentially by allowing a waiver,

 

      12        they'd be creating an illegal lot which didn't

 

      13        conform to the underlying land use.  So that was

 

      14        part of the reasoning of our denial.

 

      15             And, at this time, I think we're in a

 

      16        posture to support the request subject to a

 

      17        couple of conditions.

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Do we need to --

 

      19             Ms. Eller, do we need to entertain another

 

      20        amendment or can we roll it all into the one

 

      21        amendment?

 

      22             MS. ELLER:  To the Chairman, you may roll

 

      23        all of that into an amendment to grant the

 

      24        waiver.  I would request that the Planning

 

      25        Department read those proposed conditions for

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           81

 

 

       1        the committee's consideration.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Yes, ma'am.

 

       3             We've already moved -- there's been a

 

       4        motion and a second.

 

       5             Mr. Kelly, if you'll go ahead and read

 

       6        those.

 

       7             MR. KELLY:  Thank you.

 

       8             The first condition would be that, "The

 

       9        address shall be clearly marked at the terminus

 

      10        of the Arnold Road public right-of-way."

 

      11             Additionally, "The subject 120-acre

 

      12        property shall not be further subdivided unless

 

      13        the Arnold Road roadway is brought into

 

      14        compliance with City standards."

 

      15             Based on those two conditions, we're

 

      16        recommending approval.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Mr. Hart, are you in

 

      18        agreement with the conditions, sir?

 

      19             MR. HART:  I would agree to the

 

      20        conditions.  However, if we could add somewhere

 

      21        in the second condition if for some reason in

 

      22        the foreseeable next 20 years one of

 

      23        Mr. Alvarez's other daughters or sons wanted to

 

      24        build a house out there on the farm, maybe allow

 

      25        it for family members because this is a family

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           82

 

 

       1        farm.  His son currently lives on a 10-acre

 

       2        parcel next to this farm that was pre1969, so he

 

       3        didn't have to do this.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Corrigan.

 

       5             MR. CORRIGAN:  Through the Chair to the

 

       6        Planning Department, I think there's already a

 

       7        provision in the code that allows a family

 

       8        member to build on a piece of property, isn't

 

       9        there?

 

      10             MR. KELLY:  That's correct.

 

      11             This property has zero road frontage.  The

 

      12        family homestead provision in the land use

 

      13        element allows for additional family members

 

      14        basically to come in through a -- the family

 

      15        homestead partition, so to speak, which wouldn't

 

      16        require the lineal consanguinity to require each

 

      17        individual parcel that gets subdivided, but

 

      18        there is that provision within the future land

 

      19        use element.

 

      20             MR. CORRIGAN:  Okay.  Mr. Hart, I don't

 

      21        think it's necessary.  I think it can already

 

      22        happen.

 

      23             MR. HART:  Thank you.

 

      24             MR. CORRIGAN:  So I think you're okay.

 

      25             MR. HART:  No problem.

 

 

 

 

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       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Any discussion on the

 

       2        amendment?

 

       3             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  All in favor of the

 

       5        amendment signify by saying aye.

 

       6             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  By your action,

 

       8        you've approved the amendment.

 

       9             MR. CORRIGAN:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      10             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Which -- and that's to

 

      12        grant?

 

      13             MR. CORRIGAN:  To grant the waiver.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Yes, sir.

 

      15             Motion and second to move the amendment to

 

      16        grant the wavier.

 

      17             Any discussion?

 

      18             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none, open the

 

      20        ballot.

 

      21             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      22             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      23             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      24             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      25             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

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       1             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       4             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you have

 

       6        granted the waiver on 2008-364.

 

       7             Top of page 11.  2008-365.  We'll open the

 

       8        public hearing.

 

       9             We have a few speakers.  Janice Smith,

 

      10        followed by Mr. Darrell Smith.

 

      11             If you'll come forward.

 

      12             Are they here?

 

      13             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Sir, I'm going to ask to

 

      14        be excused because I've been coughing.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you, Ms. Smith.

 

      16             Ms. Smith chooses not to speak.

 

      17             Mr. Smith, if you'd come forward.

 

      18             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  State your name and address

 

      20        for the record, please.

 

      21             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Mr. Chairman, Darrell

 

      22        Smith, 1892 Buccaneer Drive.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Smith, go ahead.

 

      24             MR. SMITH:  We -- we currently have over

 

      25        three acres on our piece of property now that

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           85

 

 

       1        we've had -- made into two parcels.  And we've

 

       2        got a single-family on parcel 1 now, and we're

 

       3        asking your support in building another dwelling

 

       4        on parcel 2 there.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you, Mr. Smith.

 

       6             MR. SMITH:  Yes, sir.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Appreciate you being here

 

       8        tonight.

 

       9             Thank you.

 

      10             MR. SMITH:  Yes, sir.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing no further speakers,

 

      12        we'll close that public hearing.

 

      13             MR. WEBB:  Move to grant.

 

      14             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

      16        amendment to grant.

 

      17             Any discussion?

 

      18             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      19             MR. KELLY:  (Indicating.)

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  I'll turn to Mr. Kelly.

 

      21             Sorry about that.  I didn't have it written

 

      22        here.

 

      23             MR. KELLY:  Thank you.

 

      24             To the Chair, ordinance 2008-365 is a

 

      25        waiver of road frontage seeking to reduce the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           86

 

 

       1        required road frontage from eighty feet to zero

 

       2        feet.  The subject property is located at 1892

 

       3        Buccaneer Drive.

 

       4             A previous request for a waiver of road

 

       5        frontage was granted for the existing dwelling

 

       6        on the property back in 2005 from 80 feet to

 

       7        45 feet.  That waiver was approved with a

 

       8        condition that precluded a second principal

 

       9        structure from being constructed on the two-acre

 

      10        property.

 

      11             This waiver, again, has the effect of

 

      12        legitimizing the existing dwelling that was

 

      13        approved in 2005.  Again, this request is

 

      14        basically to subdivide the property, thus

 

      15        creating the need for the additional waiver.

 

      16             We've reviewed the application.  We find

 

      17        that it is meeting the criteria.  We do have the

 

      18        one condition of approval that, "There shall be

 

      19        a 25-foot-wide, clear and unobstructed visual

 

      20        access easement to the waterway from Buccaneer

 

      21        Drive."

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Kelly.

 

      23             Mr. Smith, are you in agreement?

 

      24             MR. SMITH:  Mr. Chairman, if I could ask

 

      25        the board's support -- if we could waive the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           87

 

 

       1        25-foot visible access.  It's really only

 

       2        visible from the roadway, from the road.  You

 

       3        know, in the future we might -- a new dwelling,

 

       4        we might put a privacy fence or something across

 

       5        the section.

 

       6             If there's any way that you-all could waive

 

       7        that 25-foot right-of-way there, I would sure

 

       8        appreciate it -- from the board.  There's really

 

       9        no significant value of it being there because

 

      10        it's really not going to be for -- helpful for

 

      11        anyone other than somebody standing in the road

 

      12        to see it.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Let me -- Councilman Clark,

 

      14        go ahead, this is in your district -- or staff.

 

      15             MR. CLARK:  I tell you, I mean, I've been

 

      16        out in Buccaneer.  There's -- he's out there on

 

      17        a point.  There's nothing else out there.

 

      18        There's -- you know, he's just -- it's them,

 

      19        marsh, and yellow flies.

 

      20             MR. SMITH:  Yes, sir.

 

      21             MR. CLARK:  So, you know, I don't think

 

      22        they're going to mind.

 

      23             MR. SMITH:  (Inaudible.)

 

      24             MR. CLARK:  So is that a --

 

      25             MR. KELLY:  Through the Chair to Councilman

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        Clark, I guess my only concern is what -- he

 

       2        indicated putting up a privacy fence in a front

 

       3        yard, which would be illegal under the terms of

 

       4        the zoning code.

 

       5             Again, the intent of the zoning code, under

 

       6        656.419, is to maintain that visual access to

 

       7        the river, to those navigable waterways.  So we

 

       8        wouldn't be supportive of it without the

 

       9        condition.

 

      10             MR. SMITH:  Well, I was mainly referring to

 

      11        maybe a privacy fence towards the back part of

 

      12        the yard or maybe a shed or something along the

 

      13        lines, or even moving the house over a little

 

      14        bit.

 

      15             You know, if it was going to make a

 

      16        difference for the neighbors or for -- you know,

 

      17        for people to see better out towards the marsh,

 

      18        I could understand it, but I really don't think

 

      19        it's going to be beneficial to anybody to have

 

      20        that covenant on it to where we can't maybe

 

      21        slide the house over when we build it a little

 

      22        closer to the property line.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Kelly.

 

      24             MR. KELLY:  Thank you.

 

      25             Through the Chair, again, just -- the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           89

 

 

       1        concern is that a house gets built and, you

 

       2        know, from the end of the road as the residents

 

       3        drive into that area of the road -- and that's

 

       4        part of their neighborhood.  They walk their

 

       5        dogs and it's part of where they live, that --

 

       6        maintaining those lines of sight from the ends

 

       7        of the right-of-way are important, maintaining

 

       8        the visual access.  It's an amenity to that

 

       9        overall neighborhood.  So we view it in that

 

      10        context.  And it's really only 25 feet, which is

 

      11        essentially the closed right-of-way portion from

 

      12        1980.

 

      13             So if that is just left open and they don't

 

      14        construct a house in that closed 30-foot strip

 

      15        of right-of-way, then they're meeting that

 

      16        requirement.

 

      17             So we don't feel it's onerous on them to

 

      18        provide this, and we think it's within the

 

      19        public benefit.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      21             Anything further?

 

      22             Okay.  Thank you, Mister --

 

      23             MR. SMITH:  Is there any way that we might

 

      24        be able to compromise and make it a little

 

      25        smaller?  You'll still be able to see through

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           90

 

 

       1        the properties and see the marsh.  You know,

 

       2        you'll still be able to see plenty -- plenty of

 

       3        marsh by walking a dog down at the terminus of

 

       4        the road.  But, you know, there's not very much

 

       5        traffic there.  It's on a dead -- it's a

 

       6        dead-end off of a circle.  There's not many

 

       7        single-family dwellings in the area.  So there's

 

       8        not a whole lot -- it's not like a neighborhood,

 

       9        per se, like you're used to being in.  It's

 

      10        really a small -- a small area with not very

 

      11        many families at all.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  Councilman Clark.

 

      13             MR. CLARK:  I mean, I have to agree with

 

      14        him on that one.  It's a tiny, tiny, little

 

      15        area, and darn near every single human being

 

      16        there is on the marsh.

 

      17             MR. SMITH:  Yes, sir.

 

      18             MR. CLARK:  So, I mean, I have to agree

 

      19        with him on that one.  So why don't we give to

 

      20        15 feet.  Can I make that amendment?

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  If we roll it into the --

 

      22             MR. CLARK:  I can make the amendment to

 

      23        give to 15 feet?

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Yeah.

 

      25             MR. CLARK:  Let's roll it all together with

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           91

 

 

       1        15 feet and approve it.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  We're still on the

 

       3        amendment.

 

       4             We can make that change, Mr. Kelly?

 

       5             MR. KELLY:  (Nods head.)

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.

 

       7             MR. SMITH:  Thank you so much, Mr. Clark.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Smith.

 

       9             MR. SMITH:  Appreciate it.

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  We're on the

 

      11        amendment, seconded, with the inclusion of the

 

      12        change.

 

      13             All in favor of the amendment signify by

 

      14        saying aye.

 

      15             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      17        approved the amendment.

 

      18             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      19             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  As amended.

 

      21             Okay.  Motion and second to grant the

 

      22        waiver as amended.

 

      23             Any discussion?

 

      24             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing none, open the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        ballot.

 

       2             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       3             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       6             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

       7             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       8             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       9             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      10             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      12             By your action, you have approved --

 

      13             MR. SMITH:  Thank you very much.  God bless

 

      14        y'all.  Thank you.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Smith.  Have

 

      16        a good evening.

 

      17              2008-365, the waiver is granted.

 

      18             2008-366.  We'll open the public hearing.

 

      19             We have one speaker, Mattie Taylor.

 

      20             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Indicating.)

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening, Ms. Taylor.

 

      22        If you'll come forward.

 

      23             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  State your name and address

 

      25        for the record.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           93

 

 

       1             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good evening.

 

       2             I'm Mattie Taylor, 5714 Sawyer Avenue.

 

       3             And I'm here concerning this amendment.  I

 

       4        don't have a problem with any church having a

 

       5        sign.  However, where the sign is now

 

       6        positioned, it's less than 30 feet from my front

 

       7        door, and it shines in my house.

 

       8             They have a tendency to leave it on.  I

 

       9        know they're looking to get a new sign, but

 

      10        where the sign is actually positioned needs to

 

      11        be repositioned.  It needs to be either put in

 

      12        front of their church and not on the side of the

 

      13        church.

 

      14             Our -- my lot sits adjacent to theirs.

 

      15        They're on the right -- the left-hand side of

 

      16        me.  And when they're there, it's fine.  They

 

      17        have a tendency -- they do turn it off.  But

 

      18        there have been occasions where it's been left

 

      19        on for a week, and I've tried calling and

 

      20        getting someone to turn it off.

 

      21             So I'm here asking the committee to see if

 

      22        they can, first, find another place to put their

 

      23        sign before it's granted.  And if the sign is

 

      24        granted, which I have no problem with, that they

 

      25        move it and put a timer on it so that it will go

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           94

 

 

       1        off in proper time.

 

       2             We have a very small neighborhood.  I've

 

       3        owned this lot for 46 years.  It's been family

 

       4        property.  I don't have any problems with

 

       5        churches in the area.  Most of us go into other

 

       6        areas to worship.  The only thing that I'm

 

       7        asking is when they come into our area, to

 

       8        respect us also.  We've lived there.  They come

 

       9        into the area.

 

      10             And it's been a lot of instances going on

 

      11        back and forth, which is neither here or there

 

      12        at the moment, but the sign is my biggest

 

      13        concern.  It hinders me from sleeping at night,

 

      14        and I'm a heart patient.  When the light is on,

 

      15        it's extremely bright.  It illuminates my whole

 

      16        front part of my house.

 

      17             So I'm just asking the committee to please

 

      18        reconsider this.  Maybe put some more planning

 

      19        into it and see if there are other options

 

      20        before this sign goes up.  Maybe putting it on

 

      21        the corner of Helena and Sawyer, or directly in

 

      22        front of their church.

 

      23             I thank you very much.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Ms. Taylor.

 

      25             Ms. Lee, do you have a question for

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           95

 

 

       1        Ms. Taylor?

 

       2             MS. LEE:  Yes.  This is in the district

 

       3        that I represent.

 

       4             And, Ms. Taylor --

 

       5             MS. TAYLOR:  Yes.

 

       6             MS. LEE:  -- I'm going to refer to the

 

       7        Planning Department.  We're going to work to try

 

       8        to make it where it will work for everybody.

 

       9             I'm asking --

 

      10             MS. TAYLOR:  Thank you.

 

      11             MS. LEE:  -- that it be deferred.

 

      12             And we all are diligent about trying to,

 

      13        number one, see if we can just work it out

 

      14        where --

 

      15             MS. TAYLOR:  Everybody is happy.

 

      16             MS. LEE:  -- everybody is happy.

 

      17             And I think -- I think we have a solution.

 

      18        I'll let either -- Mr. Folks has something to

 

      19        say.  He can -- you want to go down --

 

      20             MR. HUXFORD:  (Inaudible.)

 

      21             MS. LEE:  Excuse me?

 

      22             MR. HUXFORD:  (Inaudible.)

 

      23             MS. LEE:  Okay.  He'll meet you outside and

 

      24        share with you what we're planning to do.

 

      25             MS. TAYLOR:  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           96

 

 

       1             MS. LEE:  I would request -- are you going

 

       2        to be chairman for the rest of the evening?

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  No, I don't think so,

 

       4        Ms. Lee.

 

       5             MS. LEE:  Oh, okay.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  We're just about to switch

 

       7        again.

 

       8             MS. LEE:  Okay.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  I will just mention that the

 

      10        public hearing will be continued, so no action

 

      11        on this bill tonight.

 

      12             MS. LEE:  Okay, then.  It has to be

 

      13        continued.  Okay.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Yes, ma'am.

 

      15             MS. LEE:  I just -- we're going to work

 

      16        this out.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you,

 

      18        Councilwoman Lee.

 

      19             And, as I mentioned, this public -- there's

 

      20        no further speakers, so the public hearing will

 

      21        be continued to the next LUZ meeting on

 

      22        July 15th.

 

      23             (Mr. Corrigan resumes the Chair.)

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Councilmember

 

      25        Yarborough.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           97

 

 

       1             We are now on item 34, which begins a

 

       2        series of semiannual land use amendments.  Items

 

       3        34 through 46, actually, they're all the same

 

       4        type of amendments.

 

       5             To begin with item 34, 2008-390.

 

       6             We will open that public hearing.  We have

 

       7        a number of speakers -- four speaker cards.

 

       8             We have Paul Harden, Karl Sanders,

 

       9        Nancy Kilgo, and James Farley.

 

      10             (Mr. Sanders approaches the podium.)

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Sanders, good evening.

 

      12             MR. SANDERS:  Good evening, Mr. Chairman.

 

      13             Karl Sanders.  I'm here on behalf of the

 

      14        JEA.

 

      15             This is a land use amendment to allow for

 

      16        the development of the first power generating

 

      17        station since the Southside generating station

 

      18        was decommissioned in 2001.

 

      19             MS. LEE:  Excuse me.  I did not hear his

 

      20        position.

 

      21             Who is he, through the Chair?

 

      22             MR. SANDERS:  Through the Chair,

 

      23        Councilwoman Lee, my name is Karl Sanders.  I'm

 

      24        representing the applicant, JEA.

 

      25             MS. LEE:  Do you work for JEA?

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           98

 

 

       1             MR. SANDERS:  No, ma'am, I do not.  I'm an

 

       2        attorney here in --

 

       3             MS. LEE:  Oh, okay.

 

       4             MR. SANDERS:  Yes, ma'am.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  Go ahead, Mr. Sanders.

 

       6             MR. SANDERS:  Mr. Chair, it's about

 

       7        160 acres, a hodgepodge of different land use

 

       8        classifications today.  We're -- and it's also

 

       9        located in an area that the City has identified

 

      10        as an industrial sanctuary.  We're requesting

 

      11        that all of the land use classifications be

 

      12        changed to PBF to allow for this.

 

      13             Staff has recommended approval.  The

 

      14        Industrial Technical Advisory Committee

 

      15        unanimously recommended approval.  The Planning

 

      16        Commission unanimously recommended approval.

 

      17        We're asking this committee for its support as

 

      18        well.

 

      19             I'll be available for any questions you may

 

      20        have on the land use amendment.

 

      21             Ms. Kilgo, with the JEA, is here this

 

      22        evening.  She's going to address you about the

 

      23        details of the project itself, give you an

 

      24        overview of that, and then we would like the

 

      25        opportunity to reserve -- have rebuttal time in

 

 

 

 

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       1        the event that that's necessary.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Sure.  Thank you.

 

       3             MR. SANDERS:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Sanders, you're going to

 

       5        act as the agent on this for the rebuttal; is

 

       6        that correct?

 

       7             MR. SANDERS:  Yes.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

       9             Nancy Kilgo.

 

      10             (Ms. Kilgo approaches the podium.)

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Nancy Kilgo will be followed

 

      12        by James Faley.

 

      13             MR. SANDERS:  Thank you.

 

      14             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Thank you.

 

      15             Nancy Kilgo, JEA, 21 West Church Street,

 

      16        Jacksonville 32202.

 

      17             I'm here to give a very brief overview of

 

      18        the project.  We'll be happy to answer any

 

      19        questions you might have.

 

      20             As Karl mentioned, this will be the first

 

      21        generation we've built in the southeast part of

 

      22        the city since we decommissioned the Southside

 

      23        generating station.

 

      24             We're having growth countywide, citywide,

 

      25        but the southeast portion of the city is one of

 

 

 

 

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       1        the highest growth areas.  It's also one of the

 

       2        highest demand areas of current megawatts, so we

 

       3        would like to have a plant there for

 

       4        reliability.  If we do not build the plant

 

       5        there, we will end up building -- purchasing

 

       6        additional transmission right-of-way and

 

       7        building additional transmission lines to serve

 

       8        that part of town.

 

       9             The plant we're proposing is one of the

 

      10        cleanest fossil fuel plants we can build, a

 

      11        natural gas fired power plant.  We're proposing

 

      12        first as a simple cycle combustion turbine.

 

      13        Later, we will come and try to do a conversion

 

      14        of that to be able to get additional megawatts

 

      15        for the same amount of fuel that we would burn.

 

      16             The site is proposed as just south of 9A,

 

      17        where it turns and crosses 95.  And it would be

 

      18        just west of the proposed 9B right-of-way, and

 

      19        just east of an existing electric transmission

 

      20        corridor.  The plant would feed into that

 

      21        existing electric transmission corridor.

 

      22             So I'll be available to answer questions or

 

      23        at the end.

 

      24             Thank you.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Ms. Kilgo.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             Our next speaker is James Farley.

 

       2             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

       4             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  My name is James Farley.

 

       5        I'm at 5424 London Lake Drive.

 

       6             And I'm before you to express concern

 

       7        regarding the JEA proposal to the site.  This is

 

       8        due to -- over the past three years there have

 

       9        been significant development, looking at the

 

      10        St. Johns Town Center, making its way southward

 

      11        along the 9A -- 9A road.

 

      12             And this -- this development is --

 

      13        consisted of office parks, condominiums, shops,

 

      14        banks, medical offices, and a hotel.  This

 

      15        continues southward along the 9A corridor and in

 

      16        addition to the exits of Gate Parkway, Philips,

 

      17        and Baymeadows, and these developments are now

 

      18        within a three-mile radius of the proposed site

 

      19        for the Greenland Energy Center.

 

      20             And believe that the Greenland Energy

 

      21        Center will compose as -- will cause a

 

      22        significant stop in the construction or decrease

 

      23        in the construction or result in the decreasing

 

      24        commercial revenues for the City of Jacksonville

 

      25        as well.

 

 

 

 

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       1             And the question I'd like to propose to the

 

       2        council is, with the loss in proposed revenue

 

       3        due to the power plant, is that going to be

 

       4        worth the location along the 9A corridor or is

 

       5        the -- if it's this close to 9A -- the 9A

 

       6        corridor, is a resource that, you know, there's

 

       7        been considerable state investment in, and

 

       8        whether we're going to lose potential commercial

 

       9        development if the power is placed where it is.

 

      10             In regard to the scale of the turbine, once

 

      11        the phase two portion of the project is

 

      12        completed, the portion that recaptures heat from

 

      13        the exhaust, the structure will be close to

 

      14        190 feet, which, in comparison, is roughly the

 

      15        same height as the Omni Hotel downtown and the

 

      16        Mount Carmel Garden Apartments on University

 

      17        Boulevard.

 

      18             Even though the industrial sites in the

 

      19        area are not the same type of industry as the

 

      20        proposed Greenland Energy Center, it will most

 

      21        likely have a more dramatic effect on the

 

      22        commercial development in that area.

 

      23             And, in addition, even though it's a gas

 

      24        turbine, they reduce particulate emissions, but

 

      25        there are still significant amounts of other

 

 

 

 

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       1        emission.

 

       2             And in comparison to the Brandy Branch

 

       3        plant, which is, I assume, also a gas turbine,

 

       4        in that instance -- from looking at the

 

       5        information from the environmental agency, they

 

       6        did require an acid rain permit for the Brandy

 

       7        Branch permit as well, so there will still be

 

       8        significant emissions even if the particulate

 

       9        emissions are decreased.

 

      10             Thank you for the opportunity to speak

 

      11        before you.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      13             I see no further speakers.

 

      14             Mr. Sanders, do you have any rebuttal or --

 

      15             (Mr. Sanders approaches the podium.)

 

      16             MR. SANDERS:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      17        Just a couple of things.

 

      18             I would submit that having access to an

 

      19        abundant supply of electricity would encourage

 

      20        commercial development, not discourage it.

 

      21             Secondly, this property is located in an

 

      22        area that the City has already designated as

 

      23        appropriate for industrial type uses, of which

 

      24        this is as well.  So that policy decision has,

 

      25        in fact, been made by this council.

 

 

 

 

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       1             If you have any details [sic] on the

 

       2        emissions or any of the technical aspects of

 

       3        this project, we have those people here to speak

 

       4        to the committee as well.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

       6             Seeing no further speakers, we will close

 

       7        that public hearing.

 

       8             We'll go to Councilmember Webb.

 

       9             MR. WEBB:  Thank you.

 

      10             We have before us this evening -- I guess a

 

      11        question for counsel, general counsel.  This is

 

      12        merely the land use.  This is not -- this is not

 

      13        the zoning?  This is not the PUD?

 

      14             MS. ELLER:  Correct.

 

      15             MR. WEBB:  So, again, when this comes back

 

      16        before us, after it takes its little sojourn to

 

      17        Tallahassee, I -- you know, I would ask some

 

      18        questions about appropriate buffers and things

 

      19        of that nature.

 

      20             But I will say that that's not before us

 

      21        this evening.  Again, we're only here to talk

 

      22        about the land use.

 

      23             I do support this.  I mean, again, it abuts

 

      24        this industrial site.  And this is not my

 

      25        district.  This is Councilman Graham's

 

 

 

 

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                                                           105

 

 

       1        district.  But, you know, for all intents and

 

       2        purposes, it's very, very close.

 

       3             And, again, I deem this project necessary.

 

       4        I think that with the appropriate buffers and

 

       5        appropriate modifications or concessions,

 

       6        conditions in any PUD, that this can work.

 

       7             So thank you.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Councilmember

 

       9        Webb.

 

      10             I'll take a motion on the bill to get us in

 

      11        the proper posture.

 

      12             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill.

 

      13             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on -390.

 

      15             Councilmember Yarborough.

 

      16             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      17             I echo Councilman Webb's support to it.

 

      18             I wanted to thank also Ms. Kilgo and the

 

      19        staff at JEA.  They invited us several months

 

      20        back to go out to Brandy Branch and take the

 

      21        tour out there, and I wanted to say thank you

 

      22        for that.  I learned a lot that day when we went

 

      23        out there and had an opportunity to talk to the

 

      24        staff and the hard-working folks out there.

 

      25             The other thing I learned also was that on

 

 

 

 

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       1        the east and south side of the river, we only

 

       2        have -- we only have one or -- this will be the

 

       3        first one.  This will be the first generating

 

       4        station.  So basically, if a storm or if a ship

 

       5        or something like that over there near the Dames

 

       6        Point terminal, if those lines were to get

 

       7        clipped, it's lights out on the east and south

 

       8        side of the river, and for us in Arlington all

 

       9        the way down to the county line in Mandarin.

 

      10             So -- and this is something that is needed

 

      11        there.  And, as Mr. Webb said, they've worked

 

      12        hard on this and I'm happy to support it too,

 

      13        and I appreciate the hard work they've done.

 

      14             And I think we also have the support of

 

      15        several of the surrounding property owners down

 

      16        there in the industrial part of that area as

 

      17        well.

 

      18             So I appreciate it.

 

      19             Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      21             Seeing no other speakers on 2008-390, let's

 

      22        open the ballot and record the vote.

 

      23             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      24             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      25             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

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       1             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       6             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

       8        approved 2008-390.

 

       9             Committee members, I'd like to go to

 

      10        page 20 for just a second.

 

      11             Item number 70, 2008-473.  This is a bill

 

      12        that Dylan Reingold is here to represent, and

 

      13        it's the only bill he has.  And he has a

 

      14        mediation all day tomorrow, so I want to try to

 

      15        go ahead and move that bill so he can get back

 

      16        to work on the mediation.

 

      17             So we'll open that public hearing.

 

      18             We're on page 20, top of the page, item 70,

 

      19        2008-473.

 

      20             I have a card for Susan Green.  I think I

 

      21        saw her step out.

 

      22             MR. KELLY:  To the Chair, I think she had

 

      23        to leave, so I informed her of the amendments

 

      24        and spoke with Councilman Graham earlier on

 

      25        this, and he was in support of it as well.

 

 

 

 

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       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  I'm going to go ahead and

 

       2        close that public hearing.

 

       3             Can I have a motion on the amendment?

 

       4             MR. YARBOROUGH:  So moved.

 

       5             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

       7        amendment to -473.

 

       8             Mr. Kelly, are you going to explain the

 

       9        amendment -- or do we need to explain it?

 

      10             Mr. Reingold can do it.

 

      11             MR. REINGOLD:  I got it.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      13             MR. REINGOLD:  The amendment essentially

 

      14        would remove the transferability language, and

 

      15        then it adds additional criteria for automated

 

      16        car washes.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Dylan, speak up a little

 

      18        bit.  We can barely hear you.

 

      19             MR. REINGOLD:  That's weird.  I don't think

 

      20        I've ever been told to speak up.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Can you switch your

 

      22        microphone?

 

      23             MR. REINGOLD:  Thank you.

 

      24             I think we got it.

 

      25             All right.  This bill would allow for car

 

 

 

 

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       1        washes in CN districts, and the amendment would

 

       2        remove the transferability language that was

 

       3        originally incorporated in the bill.

 

       4             Additionally, it would have several

 

       5        conditions for car washes pursuant to the

 

       6        performance standards and development criteria.

 

       7             I'd be happy to walk through those with the

 

       8        committee if you would like, but essentially

 

       9        there's six different, essentially, conditions

 

      10        they have to operate under, including hours of

 

      11        operation, buffers, and number of vacuum

 

      12        stations and the like.

 

      13             MR. KELLY:  Through the Chair to -- if I

 

      14        could just clarify that this is going to be the

 

      15        subject of a zoning exception that will be heard

 

      16        before the Planning Commission.  This is not

 

      17        just permitted by right in CN.  They have to

 

      18        come before the Planning Commission and have a

 

      19        public hearing.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      21             Thank you, Mr. Reingold and Mr. Kelly.

 

      22             I don't see any questions, so all in favor

 

      23        of the amendment signal by saying aye.

 

      24             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

       3             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill as amended.

 

       4             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

       6        2008-473 as amended.

 

       7             Open the ballot and record the vote.

 

       8             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       9             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      10             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      11             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

      12             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      13             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      14             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      15             MS. LAHMEUR:  Five yeas, zero nays.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      17        approved 2008-473.

 

      18             Thank you, Mr. Reingold.  Appreciate it.

 

      19             We're are on item 35, 2008-391.

 

      20             We'll open that public hearing.

 

      21             We have Mr. Paul Harden.

 

      22             (Mr. Harden approaches the podium.)

 

      23             MR. HARDEN:  Paul Harden.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good afternoon.

 

      25             MR. HARDEN:  I'm sorry?

 

 

 

 

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       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good afternoon.

 

       2             MR. HARDEN:  Thank you.

 

       3             Paul Harden, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard.

 

       4             As you indicated, this is a land use map

 

       5        amendment transmittal application.  This site is

 

       6        located immediately behind the Winn-Dixie

 

       7        distribution center that you see along I-10 as

 

       8        you travel along there if you're heading away

 

       9        from town on the right, towards town on the

 

      10        left.  It's across Beaver Street, immediately

 

      11        adjoins it.  It's the site of the old Creeg

 

      12        (phonetic) dairy.  The dairy will continue to

 

      13        operate on most of the land, but this is a

 

      14        distribution center intended to take advantage

 

      15        of activity related to Cecil Field.  It's in the

 

      16        industrial sanctuary compatibility area.

 

      17             Other than that, I'll be happy to answer

 

      18        any questions.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Harden.

 

      20             I don't see any questions at this point.

 

      21             MS. LEE:  I have a question.

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Well, let me go ahead --

 

      23             Go ahead and ask the question, Councilwoman

 

      24        Lee.

 

      25             MS. LEE:  Through the Chair to the Planning

 

 

 

 

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       1        Department, please.

 

       2             Mr. Crofts, can you identify for me what an

 

       3        industrial sanctuary is?

 

       4             MR. CROFTS:  Yes, ma'am.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Crofts, if I can

 

       6        interrupt you for a second.

 

       7             MS. LEE:  Well, let me ask it -- let me

 

       8        restate myself.

 

       9             It has been said that this area is an

 

      10        industrial sanctuary.  Is that a fact?

 

      11             MR. CROFTS:  That's correct.

 

      12             MS. LEE:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      13             MR. CROFTS:  That's it?

 

      14             MS. LEE:  Uh-huh.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Seeing no other

 

      16        speakers -- questions for the speaker, we'll

 

      17        close the public hearing.

 

      18             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill.

 

      19             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on -391.

 

      21             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

      22        record the vote.

 

      23             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      24             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      25             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

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       1             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       4             MS. LAHMEUR:  Four yeas, zero nays.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

       6        approved 2008-391.

 

       7             Committee members, we're on the top of

 

       8        page 12, 2008-392.

 

       9             We'll open that public hearing.

 

      10             We have one speaker, Ms. Lynda Aycock.

 

      11             (Ms. Aycock approaches the podium.)

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      13             MS. AYCOCK:  Thank you.

 

      14             Lynda Aycock, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard.

 

      15             This property is located at the proposed

 

      16        new intersection of I-295 and Collins Road.  The

 

      17        proposed development is to create a commercial

 

      18        center that will be compatible with the

 

      19        Southwest Vision Plan.  We have letters of

 

      20        support from the Argyle Area Civic Council and

 

      21        the Westside Business Leaders Association.

 

      22             The only other thing is, when we had the

 

      23        staff report at the Planning Commission, there

 

      24        was an error in it in that it said that this

 

      25        property owner also owned the property on the

 

 

 

 

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       1        other side of Collins Road.  That is not the

 

       2        case.  And I believe the report is being

 

       3        corrected.  It may have already been corrected,

 

       4        but I just do want to clarify that for the

 

       5        record.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.

 

       7             MS. AYCOCK:  And I'll be happy to answer

 

       8        any questions.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Ms. Aycock.

 

      10             Seeing no questions, we'll close that

 

      11        public hearing.

 

      12             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill.

 

      13             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on -392.

 

      15             Go to the Planning Department.  Had that --

 

      16        the ownership angle been cleared up?

 

      17             MR. CROFTS:  That is correct, sir.

 

      18             That is something that we've corrected in

 

      19        the report itself.

 

      20             Thank you.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  All right.  Thank you.

 

      22             Seeing no other discussion, open the ballot

 

      23        and record the vote.

 

      24             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      25             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

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       1             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       6             MS. LAHMEUR:  Five yeas, zero nays.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  You just approved 2008-392.

 

       8             2008-393.  Open that public hearing.

 

       9             I bet you Ms. Lynda Aycock is here to speak

 

      10        on that bill as well.

 

      11             MS. AYCOCK:  That's a very good guess.

 

      12             Lynda Aycock, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard.

 

      13             This property is also located at the

 

      14        intersection of I-295 and Collins Road.  The

 

      15        applicant also proposes to create a commercial

 

      16        center that will be compatible with the

 

      17        Southwest Vision Plan.

 

      18             This development also has the -- a letter

 

      19        of approval -- or support from the Argyle Area

 

      20        Civic Council and from the Westside Business

 

      21        Leaders Association.

 

      22             I'll be happy to answer any questions.

 

      23             Thank you.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  All right.  Thank you,

 

      25        Ms. Aycock.

 

 

 

 

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       1             And I just assume the Planning Department

 

       2        will take care of the ownership issue on this

 

       3        one as well.

 

       4             So we'll close that public hearing.

 

       5             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill.

 

       6             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

       8        2008-393.

 

       9             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

      10        record the vote.

 

      11             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      12             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      13             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      14             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

      15             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      16             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      17             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      18             MS. LAHMEUR:  Five yeas, zero nays.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you just

 

      20        approved 2008-393.

 

      21             Committee members, item 38, 2008-394.

 

      22             We'll open that public hearing.

 

      23             We have one speaker, Mr. Justin Hart.

 

      24             (Mr. Hart approaches the podium.)

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening again.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             MR. HART:  Good evening.

 

       2             Justin Hart, 8051 Tara Lane.

 

       3             This particular project is bounded by heavy

 

       4        industrial to the east and the railroad tracks

 

       5        to the east, and light industrial to the south.

 

       6        To the west it is buffered with a big wetland,

 

       7        buffering a residential area.

 

       8             It lies within the industrial sanctuary of

 

       9        the industrial preservation map.  We have

 

      10        approval from the Industrial Technical Advisory

 

      11        Committee and Planning Department, and I would

 

      12        appreciate your approval on this matter.

 

      13             Here to answer any questions.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you very much.

 

      15             I don't see any questions for the speaker,

 

      16        so we'll close that public hearing.

 

      17             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill.

 

      18             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  I have a motion and second

 

      20        on the bill.

 

      21             I have a quick question for the Planning

 

      22        Department.  Mr. Hart just referenced the --

 

      23        having an industrial -- I forget the exact

 

      24        terminology to the group.

 

      25             I don't see that on this.  Are we typically

 

 

 

 

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                                                           118

 

 

       1        going to be putting that on these reports or

 

       2        should we, or should we not, or --

 

       3             MR. CROFTS:  This particular area is shown

 

       4        on the industrial preservation map, so it is

 

       5        within the sanctuary area.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.

 

       7             MR. CROFTS:  So -- and wherever that

 

       8        occurs, we'd like to make that known, it does go

 

       9        before the Industrial Technical Advisory

 

      10        Committee for their particular recommendations

 

      11        to pass along to the Planning Commission and

 

      12        this body, City Council as well.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  I guess my

 

      14        encouragement is to have them get the reports

 

      15        over to Legislative Services faster so we can

 

      16        make sure it's on the agenda when we bring it up

 

      17        in the future.

 

      18             So it's not something that has to be done

 

      19        today, but I appreciate the help in the future.

 

      20             So thank you.

 

      21             Seeing no other discussion, we'll open the

 

      22        ballot and record the vote.

 

      23             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      24             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      25             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

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       1             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       5             MS. LAHMEUR:  Five yeas, zero nays.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

       7        approved 2008-394.

 

       8             2008-395.  I'm just going to guess that

 

       9        Mr. Hart is here to discuss that bill.

 

      10             MR. HART:  Bingo.

 

      11             Justin Hart, 8051 Tara Lane.

 

      12             This particular project fronts on Duval

 

      13        Road.  It is bounded by BP, business park, land

 

      14        use designation to the north, to the west, and

 

      15        to the south.  To the east is residential land.

 

      16             I will be coming back with a PUD and

 

      17        buffering those residential lands that it

 

      18        fronts, and minimizing all -- all conflicts it

 

      19        may have with those residences.

 

      20             There is a pocket of residential land that

 

      21        is surrounded by industrial, and I just happen

 

      22        to front that pocket on one side.  I will be

 

      23        working with the neighbors and writing a PUD

 

      24        that should take care of any problems.

 

      25             It does lie within the industrial

 

 

 

 

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       1        sanctuary, and that actual pocket, whole pocket,

 

       2        lies within it.  One day -- maybe one day it

 

       3        will all be industrial.

 

       4             We do have approval from ITAC and the

 

       5        Planning Department, and I'm here to ask for

 

       6        your approval.

 

       7             And be glad to answer any questions you may

 

       8        have.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Hart.

 

      10             Seeing no speakers, we'll close the public

 

      11        hearing and go to Councilwoman Lee.

 

      12             MS. LEE:  Through the Chair, good evening.

 

      13             MR. HART:  Yes, ma'am.

 

      14             MS. LEE:  Did you say Ribault Road?

 

      15             MR. HART:  No, no.  Duval Road.

 

      16             MS. LEE:  Okay.

 

      17             MR. HART:  I'm sorry.  I mumble a little

 

      18        bit.

 

      19             MS. LEE:  Okay.  That's why I was --

 

      20        because I know Ribault Road is in the area I

 

      21        represent.  I saw Duval.  So maybe I

 

      22        misunderstood.  Okay.

 

      23             MR. HART:  Yes, ma'am.  That's my fault.

 

      24             It's Duval Road, Councilman Holt's

 

      25        district.

 

 

 

 

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       1             MS. LEE:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Ms. Lee.

 

       3             We have an amendment on this bill.

 

       4             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the amendment.

 

       5             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

       7        amendment to -395.

 

       8             We'll have the Planning Department explain

 

       9        the amendment, please.

 

      10             MR. CROFTS:  The amendment in this

 

      11        particular case is basically a technical

 

      12        amendment in that it -- it revises the legal

 

      13        primarily and -- well, that is it.  The acreage

 

      14        is correct, the maps are correct, so no other

 

      15        changes are needed.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Hart, do you agree with

 

      17        that amendment?

 

      18             MR. HART:  Yes, sir.

 

      19             That was my mistake.  I actually left out

 

      20        some property when I submitted the legal and to

 

      21        resubmit the legal.  However, all the maps and

 

      22        notices were correct.

 

      23             I agree.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  I don't believe there's a

 

      25        mistake.  I think you just wanted to clarify it

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        further; is that correct?

 

       2             MR. HART:  That's right.

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Hart.

 

       4             Seeing no discussion, all in favor of the

 

       5        amendment signal by saying aye.

 

       6             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

       8             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

      10             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      11             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on -395

 

      13        as amended.

 

      14             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

      15        record the vote.

 

      16             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      17             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      18             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      19             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      20             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

      21             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      22             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      23             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      24             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

      25             MR. HART:  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've just

 

       2        approved 2008-395.

 

       3             Committee members, we're on the bottom of

 

       4        page 12, 2008-396.

 

       5             We will open that public hearing.

 

       6             We have one speaker, Mr. Paul Harden.

 

       7             (Mr. Harden approaches the podium.)

 

       8             MR. HARDEN:  Paul Harden, 1301 Riverplace

 

       9        Boulevard.

 

      10             This is, again, a land use map amendment.

 

      11        This site adjoins an existing multifamily

 

      12        development.  Under the intersection, it expands

 

      13        it, the size, but not the density of the unit.

 

      14        It will be the subject of a PUD which adjoins

 

      15        the other parcel.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Harden.

 

      17             Seeing no other speakers, we'll close that

 

      18        public hearing.

 

      19             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill.

 

      20             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

      22        2008-396.

 

      23             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

      24        record the vote.

 

      25             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

 

 

 

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       1             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       6             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       7             MS. LAHMEUR:  Five yeas, zero nays.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've just

 

       9        approved 2008-396.

 

      10             Committee members, we're on top of page 13,

 

      11        2008-397.

 

      12             We will open that public hearing.

 

      13             We have one speaker, Mr. Howard Smith.

 

      14             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      16             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good evening.

 

      17             I'm Howard Smith -- I'm the agent for the

 

      18        property owners -- 6101 Gazebo Park Place.

 

      19             This is a land use amendment changing the

 

      20        land use category to light industrial.  It's on

 

      21        Eastport Road.  It's in a transitioning light

 

      22        industrial area near the port, up from the port,

 

      23        and also near the intersection of Pulaski and

 

      24        9A.

 

      25             Staff has recommended approval of this.

 

 

 

 

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       1        It's been approved by ITAC and also Planning

 

       2        Commission, and we ask for your support

 

       3        tonight.

 

       4             And I'm available for any questions.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  All right.  Thank you very

 

       6        much.

 

       7             Seeing no other speakers, we'll close this

 

       8        public hearing.

 

       9             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill.

 

      10             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

      12        2008-397.

 

      13             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

      14        record the vote.

 

      15             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      16             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      17             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      18             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      19             MS. LEE:   (Votes yea.)

 

      20             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      21             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      22             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      23             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      25        approved 2008-397.

 

 

 

 

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       1             Committee members, we have now been going

 

       2        at it for an hour and 55 minutes, and our court

 

       3        reporter's hands, I'm sure, are tired, so we

 

       4        will take a recess before we get into the next

 

       5        bill because there's a number of speakers on

 

       6        that bill.

 

       7             So we will take a 15-minute recess and

 

       8        crank back up at 7:10 promptly.

 

       9             Thank you.

 

      10             (Brief recess.)

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Ladies and gentlemen,

 

      12        we'll go ahead and call the meeting back to

 

      13        order.  I appreciate your patience as we took a

 

      14        quick break there.

 

      15             Before we left, we finished item 41, so we

 

      16        are now on item 42, 2008-398.

 

      17             Let me tell you before we get started,

 

      18        there's something I said earlier I'll reiterate

 

      19        that there's a lot of -- I'm thinking a lot of

 

      20        passion.  I have a huge stack of speakers here,

 

      21        and I appreciate everyone's professionalism as

 

      22        we debate this.  I will demand that as chairman

 

      23        of this committee.  So I appreciate your

 

      24        cooperation with that.

 

      25             Having said that, we will open the public

 

 

 

 

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       1        hearing on 2008-398.  I have a number of

 

       2        speakers.  The first three are Paul Harden,

 

       3        Jimmie Green, and Mr. Troutman.

 

       4             (Mr. Harden approaches the podium.)

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  Due to the complex nature of

 

       6        this, I'm going to give a little leeway to

 

       7        Mr. Harden, and also I will probably --

 

       8             Mr. Birchfield, I believe you're

 

       9        representing the largest group here this

 

      10        evening, so I'll look for guidance from you who

 

      11        you would think would be the first speaker who

 

      12        would like some additional time on that.

 

      13             So, Mr. Harden, is eight minutes for you

 

      14        fine?

 

      15             MR. HARDEN:  That will be far sufficient.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, sir.

 

      17             MR. HARDEN:  I tried to coalesce down what

 

      18        I had to say.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.

 

      20             MR. HARDEN:  Paul Harden, 1301 Riverplace

 

      21        Boulevard.

 

      22             This is a vote tonight on whether or not to

 

      23        transmit a future land use map amendment to the

 

      24        Department of Community Affairs.  This amendment

 

      25        was presented to the Planning Department, the

 

 

 

 

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       1        Concurrency office, the District Councilperson

 

       2        more than six months ago.

 

       3             During that six-month period of time, we

 

       4        have continued to provide environmental studies,

 

       5        traffic reports, level of service calculations

 

       6        which support the project.

 

       7             MS. LEE:  Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.  Did you

 

       8        set a time certain?  Did I hear you say eight

 

       9        minutes?

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  I said eight minutes for

 

      11        Mr. Harden to present, and I was going to give

 

      12        the leader of the opposition eight minutes as

 

      13        well.

 

      14             MS. LEE:  Okay.  I didn't know if the

 

      15        committee voted.  Was that something -- is that

 

      16        a set time?

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  No.  That's at the

 

      18        chairman's discretion.

 

      19             MS. LEE:  Okay.

 

      20             MR. HARDEN:  Have you got a -- Marilyn, is

 

      21        the clock on or --

 

      22             MS. ALLEN:  It is.  We stopped it.

 

      23             MR. HARDEN:  Okay.  I just can't see it

 

      24        there.

 

      25             As I said, we presented this application

 

 

 

 

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       1        over six months ago to all the parties

 

       2        involved.  And since then, we've continued to

 

       3        provide environmental studies, traffic studies,

 

       4        and level of service calculations to support the

 

       5        project.

 

       6             The request is to allow the construction of

 

       7        a distribution center at the intersection of

 

       8        295, at this location (indicating), and

 

       9        Lem Turner.  Lem Turner has been designated the

 

      10        primary north-south truck corridor for the port

 

      11        activity in a study that was commissioned by the

 

      12        MPO and Jax Port.  That study was called the

 

      13        North Jacksonville Marine Terminal Multi-Modal

 

      14        Impact Study.  And it indicated that Lem Turner,

 

      15        which is where our access is located, is the

 

      16        main corridor for that truck traffic.

 

      17             In a letter of support from the

 

      18        Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, which you have

 

      19        before you, the Chamber of Commerce described

 

      20        the property as quote, "Extremely well-located

 

      21        for the industrial logistics and distribution

 

      22        projects that are needed to support Jax Port."

 

      23             The Planning Department has recommended

 

      24        approval of this project, and by a vote of seven

 

      25        to one last week the Planning Commission also

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        recommended approval.

 

       2             Now, I want to locate the site on the map

 

       3        for you.  It's within a 550-acre parcel located

 

       4        at 295 and Lem Turner.  To the north of us is

 

       5        land purchased by the Airport Authority to

 

       6        provide a corridor between their landing strips

 

       7        and development.  The airport landing area comes

 

       8        along here (indicating).  There's a noise

 

       9        attenuation zone here (indicating).  This is

 

      10        basically a crash zone for the airport.  They're

 

      11        in support of our project.

 

      12             To the south of us is a piece of land owned

 

      13        by Catsecus (phonetic) and Kern, who also

 

      14        support our project.

 

      15             To the east of us is the only residential

 

      16        district shown in this location that's affected

 

      17        by the project.  You have before you petitions

 

      18        signed by that neighborhood, which is along

 

      19        Newcomb and Hemlock, and you'll hear from them

 

      20        tonight.

 

      21             I want to show you the buffers that we've

 

      22        provided from residential locations on the map.

 

      23        And remember, a couple of weeks ago you were

 

      24        fighting about buffers on Alta Road.  We were

 

      25        trying to decide between 100 and 120 feet.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        We're 845 feet from the nearest residential

 

       2        location here (indicating).  We're 1,075 here

 

       3        (indicating).  We're 815 here (indicating).

 

       4        There's a neighborhood, Angel Lakes, which

 

       5        you're going to hear from tonight as well.

 

       6             We're 1,400 feet -- 1,464 feet from their

 

       7        nearest border, over 2,000 feet away from their

 

       8        nearest house at that location.

 

       9             You'll hear, as I said, from three groups

 

      10        tonight that really are -- have input.  One, the

 

      11        Angel Lakes folks are going to speak.  I think

 

      12        they're in opposition.

 

      13             But I point out to you, their use of 295 is

 

      14        at the next intersection up, a-mile-and-a-half

 

      15        away from the project, and then almost a mile

 

      16        further down the road.  So as the car drives,

 

      17        it's two-and-a-half miles.  As the crow flies,

 

      18        it's over 2,000 feet.

 

      19             The neighbors who are really affected are

 

      20        the neighbors who live along Hemlock and Newcomb

 

      21        Road.  The reason they're affected is the

 

      22        current access for the current zoning on this

 

      23        site comes right through their neighborhood.

 

      24             Our access is going to be constructed at

 

      25        this location (indicating).  It's a

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        120-foot-wide boulevard access out to Lem Turner

 

       2        Road.

 

       3             We have committed not to have any access

 

       4        through Newcomb or Hemlock in the development.

 

       5        Currently, the access on the 1,700 townhomes and

 

       6        single-family homes on this development planned

 

       7        for this site comes straight down Hemlock, a

 

       8        20-foot-wide neighborhood road.

 

       9             The current zoning on the site allows for

 

      10        that 1,700 townhomes and residents and allows

 

      11        for 3,400 peak-hour trips a day down this

 

      12        20-foot road.

 

      13             Importantly, the setback for that 1,700

 

      14        homes, single-family subdivision, is 10 feet

 

      15        from the property line of the neighbors,

 

      16        including the commercial operation, Flamingo

 

      17        Park, RV Park.  Flamingo Park has provided us a

 

      18        term sheet.  They are in opposition to our

 

      19        project.

 

      20             They provided us a term sheet, which I

 

      21        noted they had e-mailed to some of the council

 

      22        members.  On that term sheet they ask for four

 

      23        things:

 

      24             One, no access down Newcomb Road.  We

 

      25        agreed to that.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             Two, a 10- -- that we construct a 10-foot

 

       2        berm.  We agreed to that.

 

       3             Three, a 200-foot separation.  We

 

       4        redesigned and move back to 185 feet off there.

 

       5             And then, four, they wanted us to sell them

 

       6        a piece of property so they could move their

 

       7        illegal signs to a legal sign location.

 

       8             We believe our response to the request by

 

       9        the folks at Flamingo Lake is fair.  But more

 

      10        importantly, these are issues that need to be

 

      11        dealt with in a PUD.

 

      12             As you're aware, after the transmittal,

 

      13        this property will come back for a review -- if

 

      14        it's transmitted -- for an adoption and with a

 

      15        companion rezoning at the time.

 

      16             This is not your only bite at the apple.

 

      17        You'll be able to deal with the PUD and the

 

      18        other issues as they arise.

 

      19             Flamingo Lakes current request as of this

 

      20        morning -- not the term sheet that we agreed to

 

      21        initially, was a 22-foot-high visual barrier and

 

      22        exclusive use of 200 feet or about eight acres

 

      23        of our land, which we value at about

 

      24        $1.7 million.

 

      25             We complied with every request of their

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        initial request.  We think that's reasonable.

 

       2        And, you know, we think that's a good way to

 

       3        deal with it.

 

       4             That being said, if this project comes back

 

       5        for approval with a PUD, we'll abide by whatever

 

       6        buffers that the Planning Department think are

 

       7        appropriate from us in the commercial use.

 

       8             Flamingo Lakes is a commercial operation, a

 

       9        for-rent RV park which is located along 295.

 

      10        One of their borders is 295.  Currently, they

 

      11        have backing up to them in the zoning project

 

      12        45-foot-high townhomes that required a 10-foot

 

      13        buffer.

 

      14             At our location, they have two units -- you

 

      15        can see it on the map -- two units located along

 

      16        that location.  So now we are providing a

 

      17        185-foot setback and a 10-foot-high berm as

 

      18        opposed to 10 feet and 40 foot -- 45-foot

 

      19        townhomes.

 

      20             I'm truly sorry to be in the position I am

 

      21        with the district councilperson.  It's very

 

      22        uncomfortable for me, but I don't want to

 

      23        minimize the positive nature of this project.

 

      24        It's at the intersection of two major roadways

 

      25        in the Northside of the City of Jacksonville,

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        295 and Lem Turner.

 

       2             The access fronts on Lem Turner, which has

 

       3        been designated by the MPO as the major

 

       4        north-south truck corridor for port activity.

 

       5        We have between 900 and 2,000 feet of buffer

 

       6        from any residential use.  Nearly every one of

 

       7        the affected neighbors -- that's the neighbors

 

       8        on Newcomb and Hemlock -- are in support of our

 

       9        project.  The project is supported by the

 

      10        Chamber of Commerce and the City's authorities

 

      11        which are dealing with the lands in the area,

 

      12        including the port traffic.

 

      13             The Planning Department and the Planning

 

      14        Commission have given their approval.  The city

 

      15        of Jacksonville is in great need of distribution

 

      16        facilities.  I guess you read last week that the

 

      17        Mitsui -- yeah, the Mitsui project will be

 

      18        having deliveries beginning July 1, which is in

 

      19        about three weeks, so it's important that we

 

      20        provide the distribution space to meet those

 

      21        needs, and this is at a location that meets

 

      22        those needs.

 

      23             I would respectfully request that you

 

      24        transmit this project to the Department of

 

      25        Community Affairs for their review.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Harden.

 

       3             As I organize the cards, we have a number

 

       4        in support and a number opposed.  I think to

 

       5        make it easier to follow, we'll go through the

 

       6        cards of support and then turn to the opposition

 

       7        and let them present their side.

 

       8             So our next speaker will be Genson Robt

 

       9        [sic] -- I'm not sure --

 

      10             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  -- and followed by

 

      12        C.W. Sellers, followed by Eva Fowler.

 

      13             And any of the speakers that just want to

 

      14        indicate their support or opposition, they're

 

      15        welcome to do that as well, and I'll read it

 

      16        into the record.

 

      17             So good evening, sir.

 

      18             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good evening, sir.

 

      19             My name is Robert Genson, and I've lived at

 

      20        12500 Lem Turner Road since 1962.

 

      21             And this here warehousing seems to have

 

      22        less impact on our land than housing, so I'm --

 

      23        I like the idea, but I didn't know that Lem

 

      24        Turner Road was designated a truck route for the

 

      25        airport.  Now, when did that come about?  They

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           137

 

 

       1        didn't announce that one to me, but I don't take

 

       2        the newspaper.

 

       3             You don't know?

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  I don't know the answer to

 

       5        that question.

 

       6             MR. GENSON:  We'll forget that then.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

       8             MR. GENSON:  Thank you.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  C.W. Sellers, followed by

 

      10        Eva Fowler, followed by Elizabeth O'Neal.

 

      11             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      12             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  My name is C.W. Sellers.

 

      13        I live at 3815 Newcomb Road, and I do support

 

      14        this project.

 

      15             Thank you.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      17             Eva Fowler, followed by Elizabeth O'Neal,

 

      18        followed by Kathleen Plymel.

 

      19             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      21             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Hi.

 

      22             Eva Fowler.  I live at 3838 Hemlock

 

      23        Street.

 

      24             And as a property owner on Hemlock Street,

 

      25        I support this amendment.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           138

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

       2             Elizabeth O'Neal, followed by Kathleen --

 

       3             And, Kathleen, I can't pronounce your last

 

       4        name, so I apologize.

 

       5             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       6             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Elizabeth O'Neal.  I live

 

       7        at 3843 Hemlock Street.

 

       8             I've lived there all of my life, and I am

 

       9        also in support of this amendment.

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      11             Kathleen followed, by Claudia Combs,

 

      12        followed by John Combs.

 

      13             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      14             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good evening.

 

      15             Kathleen Plymel.  I live at 3827 Hemlock

 

      16        Street.

 

      17             I'm here today in support of this

 

      18        proposal.  Earlier ideas for the use and growth

 

      19        within our community have seriously impacted the

 

      20        pleasure of life, particularly with traffic

 

      21        within our neighborhood, so we are trying to

 

      22        look for the best way to grow.  And we feel that

 

      23        this is the best way.

 

      24             We have a good neighbor -- possibly a good

 

      25        neighbor coming in that's going to cause minimal

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        disruption to the traffic and the activity of

 

       2        our environment.

 

       3             And we thank you for your support.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

       5             Claudia Combs, followed by John Combs,

 

       6        followed by Robin Miness.

 

       7             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

       9             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  I'm Claudia Combs, and I

 

      10        live at 3751 Hemlock Street.

 

      11             My parents lived there a lot longer than I

 

      12        have, but I love the quietness of the

 

      13        neighborhood.  I love to be able to go for a

 

      14        walk in the evening, ride my bicycle, take my

 

      15        grandson with me.  I am in favor of this

 

      16        project.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      18             John Combs, followed by Robin Miness,

 

      19        followed by Al Miness.

 

      20             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      21             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good evening, sir.

 

      22             My name is John Combs.  I live at --

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Get a little bit closer to

 

      24        that microphone.

 

      25             MR. COMBS:  I'm sorry.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             I live at 3751 Hemlock.

 

       2             Most of us are longtime residents.  We've

 

       3        owned property out there for in excess of

 

       4        20 years, all of us.

 

       5             You know, developments come and, you know,

 

       6        we just -- we're trying -- like our other

 

       7        neighbor said, we're trying to grow, but we're

 

       8        trying to keep a little piece of our

 

       9        neighborhood like it is.  And even though really

 

      10        our land runs so far back in there that this new

 

      11        road is going to be at our back of our property,

 

      12        you know, we're kind of looking at the less --

 

      13        excuse me -- the lesser of two evils on this

 

      14        thing.

 

      15             And, you know, for our neighborhood, you

 

      16        know, we just thought this was the best thing.

 

      17        And I'm sure that the campground doesn't agree

 

      18        with us.  But, you know, we're kind of looking

 

      19        out for our neighborhood.

 

      20             Thank you for your time.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      22             Robin Miness, followed by Al Miness.

 

      23             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Am I getting close on the

 

      25        last name?

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Miness (pronouncing).

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Miness.

 

       3             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  My name is Robin Miness.

 

       4        I live at 3636 Hemlock Street.

 

       5             I live on the road, my mother-in-law lives

 

       6        on the road, and my sister-in-law lives on the

 

       7        road.  We've lived at our property for 23 years,

 

       8        and we have two young daughters.

 

       9             Our neighborhood is safe, it's quiet.  Our

 

      10        children can go and play in the front yard.

 

      11        They don't have to worry about traffic, they

 

      12        don't have to worry about someone bothering

 

      13        them.

 

      14             Having a residential community at the end

 

      15        of our road with 3,400 cars coming twice a day

 

      16        is not a good alternative for our neighborhood

 

      17        or our children or our families.

 

      18             Having this light industrial at the end of

 

      19        our road will cut off access to our road,

 

      20        Newcomb Road, Angel Lakes.  It will cut off any

 

      21        access going through residential neighborhoods,

 

      22        and that is a key problem for our road, Hemlock

 

      23        Street.

 

      24             And I support this project 100 percent and

 

      25        hope that you'll support us in it.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203