Is the fix in on Mandarin rezoning?

[jaxlongtimer]

Not unlike the dismantling our urban core history and scenic character, now developers want to do the same in the protected areas of Mandarin such as the City Ordinance-designated historic and scenic corridor of County Dock Road, part of the only such road cluster in Duval County.  Nothing is sacred for some developers and their shills who only care about what is best for their pocketbook.

The zoning discussed in today's T-U headline article below is so egregious that even the usually developer-friendly Planning Commission recommended its denial!  Yet, the Planning Department supported this development's approval even though their own traffic expert stated, for the record, that the City's recognized substandard 16 foot wide County Dock Road did not allow adequate passage of fire trucks and school buses to service it.  Unable to explain their position, the Department could only say that their Director handed down the decision without explanation (see the red quote below).  This is a rare exposure of the lacking professionalism of our City planners.

FYI, this zoning goes to the City Council LUZ meeting at 5:30, this Tuesday, June 20th, for those interested in showing support for its denial.

Large heritage oak trees stretch across County Dock Road, a sliver of concrete in Mandarin that forms a piece of Jacksonville's only Scenic and Historic Corridor.

The oaks, draped in Spanish moss and curled with age, will most likely always be there. Even as the neighborhood shifts around them, the trees remain protected by city law.

What could be lost, however, is the low-density, historic nature of about 9 acres abutting the well-traveled road.

Residents say a developer wants to bulldoze the property to build a new subdivision containing at most 21 single-family homes, and their concern is the city will let it happen. Those immediately impacted feel their safety on County Dock Road is at stake, but also the dense canopy and rural character of their tucked-away haven.

As the proposal works its way through various city commissions, however, it could have much larger implications.

Mandarin residents feel the city is both ignoring community desires and disregarding its own laws to recommend approval. City staff, they say, are cater[ing] to developers and corporations, while giving little concern to those who actually live near the proposed project.

In Jacksonville, a far-flung city with a handful of unique, landmark neighborhoods, what does this mean for the future of development here?

..."I certainly don't have a problem with 90-foot lots in that area," said Planning Commissioner Chris Hagan during a May 18 meeting. "I think that is exactly what this area is asking, not the community, but the area is needing."

Residents who live there feel another way entirely...

...The City Planning Commission recommended City Council deny approval of the zoning change solely on the fact the road wasn't safe enough to navigate.

During a recent planning meeting, commissioners wondered just how safe the road actually was.

"It's not safe right now," said Laurie Santana, chief of the Transportation Planning Division. "Like they were saying, they can't maneuver in and out. You can't get fire trucks through there. You can't get school buses through there. So, as it is, it's a very constrained narrow roadway."

That left several planning commissioners, including Donald Adkinson, questioning how residents, city employees and others would access the Dockside Estates property.

If Loretto Road could be used, he said, then the project made more sense. Loretto Road is nearly double the width of County Dock.

For some reason, however, the project can't use it. Planning Commissioners were told by staff that decision was handed down by the director.

Harden didn't return two telephone calls and the City Planning Department would not provide anyone to discuss why that's the case. So, the issue remains unexplained.

"If we can't do anything with County Dock Road, what's the other solution?" Commissioner Dawn Motes asked at the May 18 meeting. "That's the million-dollar question. ... There's no other solution or recommendation for safe access?"

According to Planning Department staff, the only option available would be turning County Dock Road into a one-way street. It's an unpopular opinion, they added...

See full article at: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-06-13/character-canopy-safety-core-battle-against-mandarin-development-along-scenic

[jaxlongtimer]

If you care about historic and scenic preservation in Jacksonville and, specifically, Mandarin and its unique character, please review the opening post on this thread, read the linked article, and look at contacting the seven LUZ members hearing this rezoning (Ordinance 2016-805) tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5:30 PM at City Hall.

Express your concerns about the historic and scenic character of Mandarin, over-densifying every corner of Jacksonville, exacerbating a safety issue by using substandard 16 foot wide County Dock Road and adding more traffic to an overburdened road system carrying cars avoiding San Jose Blvd.

1. Danny Becton, Chair
2. Matt Schellenberg, Mandarin Representative
3. Joyce Morgan
4. Al Ferraro
5. Reggie Gaffney
6. Doyle Carter
7. Jim Love

Email and phone contact info:  http://www.coj.net/city-council.aspx

The Planning Commission, in a very rare action, voted to recommend DENIAL of this PUD due to issues that the Planning Dept. ignored in its report.  The Planning Dept. also did not follow the tenets of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan as required by law.  If they had, they, too, would have recommended denial. Don't let this travesty go forward.

* Just read the sad news that the impetus for Jacksonville's tree and sign ordinances, Bill Brinton, passed away:   http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-06-19/bill-brinton-who-led-successful-campaigns-limit-outdoor-signs-protect-trees

FYI, his organization, Scenic Jacksonville, has officially passed a resolution opposing this zoning.  Defeating this ordinance would be a great tribute to his legacy.

[jaxlongtimer]

To update, LUZ, including Mandarin's own rep, Matt Schellenberg, voted 6 to 1 in favor of Paul Harden & his developer buddies over the objections of hundreds of Mandarin residents, the Planning Commission, and over a half dozen community organizations.  They also voted to consider making County Dock Rd., dating back to the 1800's, a ONE WAY street to support the developer, again over total opposition by area residents and adjacent property owners.  Icing on the cake?  The City doesn't even have to get public input, have a hearing, or run it by the City Council!  While shocked at that, LUZ members voted to do it anyway.

A sliver of historic Mandarin, dotted with protected farmhouses and grand oak trees, moved one step closer Tuesday night to resembling its overdeveloped neighbors.

    Despite dozens of residents voicing opposition, the Jacksonville Land Use and Zoning Committee voted to recommend the City Council allow a developer to build 21 single-family homes off County Dock Road.

    Six council members, including Mandarin's City Council representative Matt Schellenberg, voted in favor. LUZ chairman Danny Becton voted against the motion to recommend City Council's approval.

    "Schellenberg has a very special area," Becton said. "It reminds me of home."

    According to Becton, the tree-lined streets and the estate-style homes of this part of Mandarin are unlike any part of Jacksonville. He isn't wrong. The confluence of Mandarin Road, County Dock Road and Loretto Road forms the only scenic and historic roadways in Jacksonville — and they reside in a designated protected area which mandates any development be one house per one net acre.

    The property in question, approximately 9.3 acres sandwiched between Loretto and Mandarin Road, sits just outside that overlay. While it is currently zoned to allow only one house per acre, the point at issue currently is whether to do away with that zoning requirement. Paul Harden, an attorney who represented the property owner, wants to change the property to allow at least three homes per acre.

    Residents who spoke at the meeting said the character of their neighborhood would be impacted, but even more they said they worried about the safety of adding so many units to a well-traveled and substandard road. County Dock, which would serve as the main entrance for Dockside Estates, is only 16 feet wide.

    Jacksonville city staff has repeatedly called the road unsafe as it stands now. Because the road cannot be widened, it does not allow for passage of fire trucks or buses. When a garbage truck does collections, it blocks traffic going both ways. Even more, the area has no fire hydrants. One resident said adding the close-knit homes with condensed lot lines would contribute to an unsafe environment for all in the area.

    To combat the concern, Schellenberg proposed making County Dock Road a one-way street. Becton questioned the process that required — and still concluded the meeting without a direct answer. He expressed concern that such a change could happen without resident input.

    But residents did speak on the suggestion at the meeting. All disagreed with it.

    "Making County Dock Road one way for the few is really affecting the multitude," Sandy Copeland said.

    Sid Ansbacher, an attorney representing the Sandells, who own property on County Dock Road, informed the commission the property should be a transitional space. Developers, he said, are not entitled to the greatest density that happens to exist in an area.

    According to Harden, the property in question is sided by developments that match the zoning he is requesting. However, many residents including attorney Tracey Arpen disputes that. In fact, he said 70 percent of what could become Dockside Estates is bordered by one-acre lots.

    "Mandarin is strip malls," said an individual present at the meeting. "It's all buildings. We need some green space. ... No one needs 21 houses there."

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-06-20/development-planned-quiet-mandarin-neighborhood-moves-forward

[vicupstate]

Once I saw Paul Harden's name, I knew it wouldn't turn out any other way. 

Is Schellenburg term limited? 

[jaxlongtimer]

Schellenberg is term limited (this is his second of two terms) but is pushing legislation to allow for a third term.