JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A push to increase affordable housing in Jacksonville could come at the cost of changing the face of suburban Jacksonville neighborhoods.
A new ordinance proposed by Jacksonville City Council would allow for multi-family housing in areas zoned for low or medium density. It would also allow duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes in neighborhoods with primarily single-family homes.
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Chrissy Bott lives in a San Jose neighborhood she fears could be impacted by the legislation if it is passed.
“It was that dream of suburban bliss, but living close to an urban core,” she said. “This changes the quality of life for the people who live there substantially.”
The ordinance, which was sponsored by Council Member Rory Diamond, would change development requirements for a large area inside the Interstate 295 loop:
- From the Trout River on the north
- Baymeadows Road and 103rd Street on the south
- From Monument Road and Southside Boulevard on the east
- To I-295 and New Kings Road on the west
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The ordinance protects development changes to the downtown core, and riverfront areas of San Marco, Miramar, San Jose, and Beauclerc.
“This legislation isn’t just San Jose. It’s not just a small part of Arlington. It’s literally expanded to everything inside the 295 loop,” Bott said.
In a staff report, the City’s Planning Department said it supports the legislation’s concept to expand what’s called “missing middle housing.”
However, staff denied the recommendation stating the city is already in the process of updating its land development regulations to increase affordable housing with resiliency in mind, although the full recommendations won’t be available until at least February next year.
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The report said the bill would “negate the investment of considerable time and money,” if approved, and “subject life and property to increased climate hazards.”
“You have to be very proactive. If you don’t have a neighborhood association, step one up,” Bott said.
The legislation goes back before the Land Use and Zoning Committee next Tuesday, Jan. 7.
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