Huge new development proposed on Fishweir Creek and St. John's Ave

[Cheshire Cat]

What is the over/under on attendance for Monday's meeting?  Also, what is the over/under on those who will have already made up their minds before hearing/reading a single word of fact from the developers?

Not sure about the first question but regarding the second you can rest assured that some who don't want change of any sort, don't care what the developer has to say but simply don't want to deal with any disruption or construction inconvenience to their community.  Of course that is not what one could begin to consider a concerned citizen in my view, just a nimby for the sake of being a nimby.  lol   

[Cheshire Cat]

Are there some planners reading here, maybe Doug or Ennis, who can give us some "standard" planner figures for auto trips generated by apartments, retail stores and super markets?

It would interesting to try to estimate the traffic impact.  360 apartments at 1.7 trips per day = ####.  Retail store = #### trips per day.  Beauty salon = #### trips per day.  Supermarket = #### trips per day.

Since St. John's is an FDOT road, I am sure that somewhere FDOT has a road "grade" for that segment showing how close it is to capacity.  I personally have never had any problems with excess traffic near that location, but I also do not travel it at peak traffic hours.

Maybe we can get a little more information into this discussion.

This goes to what is required in the bill 2005-1330, which says the developer must submit a traffic (trip generator) report.  That has not been done but it is my understanding is expected by planning in the revised PUD request.

[Cheshire Cat]

Are there some planners reading here, maybe Doug or Ennis, who can give us some "standard" planner figures for auto trips generated by apartments, retail stores and super markets?

It would interesting to try to estimate the traffic impact.  360 apartments at 1.7 trips per day = ####.  Retail store = #### trips per day.  Beauty salon = #### trips per day.  Supermarket = #### trips per day.

Since St. John's is an FDOT road, I am sure that somewhere FDOT has a road "grade" for that segment showing how close it is to capacity.  I personally have never had any problems with excess traffic near that location, but I also do not travel it at peak traffic hours.

Maybe we can get a little more information into this discussion.

We are looking at all of this information in the site design and will be presenting it at the May 13th meeting.  One of the reasons I haven't chimed in on this conversation yet is because I am working for Mr. Balanky as the civil engineer for the project (another is that I try to stay out of Riverside-Avondale zoning/landuse issues - having enough to keep me busy in San Marco).

I can't give any specific information about the development because it hasn't been decided.  The last thing I want to do is provide false or misleading information about this project.  As many have stated on this thread, we really need to create a more detailed plan for everyone to weigh in on.

One thing I can say confidently is that I wouldn't be working on this project if I thought it was going to result in a suburban style development that was out of context with the neighborhood.  I've known (and consulted for) Mike Balanky for the past 9 years.  Together we did the San Marco Place condominiums (won the ULI award for excellence) and the Kings Avenue Station (hotel).  This should give everyone some idea of the quality he puts into his work.

I am enjoying following the thread and will continue to do so.  Keep the great suggestions coming!

Exactly.  Commentary based in fact is what is needed.

[Spence]

I read somewhere that roundabouts will now need 100 ft diameter, unless at a street end (60ft.)

Referencing the curbs at the flower shop, animal clinic, and 4000 St.Johns near Loop and Hugo's, would a roundabout fit?  Would a 100ft traffic circle intersect Geraldine Dr.  AND allow vehicular movements at a parking structure?

[Cheshire Cat]

I read somewhere that roundabouts will now need 100 ft diameter, unless at a street end (60ft.)

Referencing the curbs at the flower shop, animal clinic, and 4000 St.Johns near Loop and Hugo's, would a roundabout fit?  Would a 100ft traffic circle intersect Geraldine Dr.  AND allow vehicular movements at a parking structure?

There is no complete and updated PUD with plans in the city planning department yet.  So what you are asking for is an answer that would be speculation at this point.  Your question will best be answered after the formal application and plans have been received by the planning department.

[fieldafm]

I read somewhere that roundabouts will now need 100 ft diameter, unless at a street end (60ft.)

Referencing the curbs at the flower shop, animal clinic, and 4000 St.Johns near Loop and Hugo's, would a roundabout fit?  Would a 100ft traffic circle intersect Geraldine Dr.  AND allow vehicular movements at a parking structure?

You sure you aren't Trixie? 

[Spence]

[/quote]There is no complete and updated PUD with plans in the city planning department yet.  So what you are asking for is an answer that would be speculation at this point.  Your question will best be answered after the formal application and plans have been received by the planning department.
[/quote]

True.
Also, as enthusiastic neighbors and potential residents+/ tenants of the subject development we can tap into the expertise of fellow posters on this forum and speculate, hope and dream all we like.

Based upon precedent, a traffic circle can be created with some minimal loss of use at 4000 St.Johns.

I am wondering what this audience thinks about the placement of a parking structure and the alignment of Geraldine Dr.

[Spence]

>fieldafm.  No. Not Trixie.

Currently, Geraldine Dr. does not technically intersect St.Johns Ave.

Personally I feel a traffic circle is the element the development could use to benefit from the reduced automobile speed and the positive impact such a design feature can deliver to creating a special, unique sense of place.

Just asking for opinions, thoughts, ideas in advance, nothing more.


Riverside Crabtree Manor is a somewhat tucked away little pocket without much thru traffic, almost like Pinegrove near Azalea, excepting school buses.

The Herschel animal clinic will possibly not occupy the space forever and the building too may be replaced.

I guess the nuts and bolts of my original question regarding a traffic circle begin with what to place in the center.
A water feature?
A monument?
Statuary?

Certainly not signage.

We already have brick clad entryway markers.

Since I am apparently having this conversation with myself I will toss out an idea.
NOT a faux lighthouse.

Please.
Chime in.
Start with what we don't wish to see?

[Noone]

cont. 

19.
Marina and docks. Any marina or docks shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the requirements of the City of Jacksonville and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection. Minor or major boat repairs, as well as
the sale and storage of fuel products, shall be strictly prohibited. A maximum of
eight ( boat slips, or no more than twenty percent (20%) of the total number of
slips (whichever is less), shall he reserved for public access. The boardwalk shall
accommodate boat access and docking.


E.
Dredging
Prior to commencement of any construction activities for the proposed
development, the developer shall deposit $800,000into an interest-bearing escrow
account for the costs associated with dredging Fishweir
Creek. The precise terms
of this requirement shall be set forth in a separate agreement with the City to
govern the details of this transaction, including draw requests
J.
Sidewalks, Trails and Bikeways. Sidewalks will be provided along all street
frontages. A public boardwalk will be provided along Fishweir
Creek, up to the
southwest boundary of the Commander parcel. Unfettered public access shall be
provided to and from said boardwalk from Herschel Street and at least one
perpendicular access point from St. Johns Avenue, as more fully depicted on the
conceptual site plan attached hereto. The location of all sidewalks, boardwalk and
public access is conceptual and final sidewalk plans are subject to the review and
approval of the City Traffic Engineer and the Planning and Development
Department.

Dredging-Has anyone contacted Don Redman and the status of the Pottsberg Creek dredge that is being sought using FIND? Our ad valorem property tax money. Next Waterways Commission meeting 11 days out. Will this project come before Waterway

J. A Public boardwalk along Fishweir Creek. In the past and this is just a suggestion but I've heard of SAV (Submerged Aquatic Vegatation) Transparent boards that would allow sunlight to pass to provide for a sustainable ecosystem under what normally would be a covered deck. Will this project come before Waterways?

19. marina and docks- Could this project have a small craft  launch like the example of Guanna where a motor of 9.9 or less can only be used? Right now there is a strong opportunity for the inclusion of a Boat Ramp Master Plan that could be included in the upcoming 2013 FIND grant package that will require a full Jacksonville city council resolution. Will this project come before Waterways?

JEA and Utilities. Have any of these huge new project announcements and not just picking on this one but on Riverside as well and anywhere else throughout the city using water reuse? Just finished VISION 2025 and was at the Clean and Green table the Environment. (Environmental Ethics?) Vince Seibold. Will this project come before Waterways?

[Dog Walker]

Looking at the aerial view and enduring the weather these past two days, it occurs to me that storm water retention is going to be quite an engineering challenge on this site.  It's pretty crowded with impermeable surfaces.

I think all of the storm water retention ponds in North Florida are being challenged right now.  Keep looking for animals walking two by two.

[MEGATRON]

Looking at the aerial view and enduring the weather these past two days, it occurs to me that storm water retention is going to be quite an engineering challenge on this site.  It's pretty crowded with impermeable surfaces.

I think all of the storm water retention ponds in North Florida are being challenged right now.  Keep looking for animals walking two by two.

We get it.  You don't want the project.

[thelakelander]

To be honest, a new project most likely could help the storm water situation and health of the adjacent waterways. Those surface parking lots sitting there today are probably runoff nightmares.

[Dog Walker]

Megatron, Just because I have concerns and think that there are engineering challenges doesn't mean I'm against the project.  There are going to be engineering challenges because of the soil too.  There's not enough information out there to decide one way or the other.  I'm certainly not in love with what is there now.

Also it was probably all built before storm water retention requirements were put in place and everything just dumps into the river right now.  A change in that would certainly be an improvement over the existing.

[fieldafm]

To be honest, a new project most likely could help the storm water situation and health of the adjacent waterways. Those surface parking lots sitting there today are probably runoff nightmares.

Exactly, see my previous comments:

This would eliminate the large swaths of surface parking along the waterfront (especially behind the existing Commander building), which would be better for Fishweir Creek.  And seeing as though Balanky is involved, I'd also be willing to guess that runoff from the site would also be reduced from some kind of natural effluent method.

[MEGATRON]

Megatron, Just because I have concerns and think that there are engineering challenges doesn't mean I'm against the project.  There are going to be engineering challenges because of the soil too.  There's not enough information out there to decide one way or the other.  I'm certainly not in love with what is there now.

Also it was probably all built before storm water retention requirements were put in place and everything just dumps into the river right now.  A change in that would certainly be an improvement over the existing.

Many, including myself, have concerns and are waiting to hear more, but I am excited about the potential for that area to be re-born.  However, when you start the discussion with "huge new development proposed," I think its safe to say you are firmly against the project even without hearing the details.  Don't try and backtrack now.