SPAR's "RED ALERT" aimed at neighbors...uses Proton Lab staff and faculty ?!?

[tufsu1]

Seems to be that this one applies for the treatment centers...

"Special uses.  Special uses include residential treatment facilities, rooming houses, emergency shelter homes, group care homes, and community residential homes of over six residents. New special uses are not allowed in the district and existing special uses must conform to the standards set forth in Section 656.369."

That said, anyone has the right to request a change to zoning laws...in fact, the City has been engaged in comprehensive zoning re-write study for the last year or two...

But these changes don't happen in a vacuum...any rule changes must be adequately noticed (usually includes orange signs in the area) and a public hearing must be held.

 

[jason_contentdg]

The above is the Springfield Historic Overlay with all the permitted uses of structures.

I thought I would post it so that people arent having to guess or speculate.

Thanks to the City for this copy.

I don't see any permitted use for residency hotels.

Stephen, it was a PUD.  It can have exceptions to current zoning as long as it applies for them, and is approved.

[GideonGlib]

Seeing all of the time and effort that has gone into these post, would only that same time and energy have gone into a collective effort of cleaning up our blocks of trash and debris or lobbying the city to fix our pot-hole riddled streets, we could conceivably  not only be in consensus, but actually doing something productive and proactive to create the sort of neighborhood most of us want Springfield to be.

I suppose I understand why this is an important discussion to have, but it's a shame more of these forums couldn't be about collective projects for improvement, and not just be a tangle-bang of derision, that I can not conceivably see solving anything, nor making any tangible "improvements".

I think at this point it is more than crystal clear what we do not agree on, can someone remind me again what it is that Springfield residents do agree on?

[jason_contentdg]

Gideon, this is such a small collection of the Springfield conversation.  There's 2 other threads on the main page talking about some of the positives, the I love Springfield thread and the Main Street Enhancement thread.

At least we're a passionate neighborhood, no one can take that away.

[thelakelander]

As you can see, the Zoning overlay is not the best thing out there because it does not address (for or against) several types of urban uses.  Hotels probably fall in that same grey area as new construction live work lofts.  If so, applying for a PUD would be the current way to get this use allowed on a particular site.

[jason_contentdg]

And Im still not finding any provision as a special use.

Jason, these overlays were meant to preclude unspecified uses in the district.  

Otherwise they would be meaningless.

But Im sure everyone was just speculating yesterday in a wild attempt to come up with an answer to the question:  How can you be simultaneously for and against something at the same time?

And the answer, which no on really knows---was that it was a residency hotel.  That was tossed out there in an attempt to make something stick.

Anyways, I just wanted to get the actual information out there so that we are all dealing with the same set of facts.

Then by all means dig deeper and hope like hell that what you're fighting for makes the neighborhood better.

[mtraininjax]

I'm having a hard time following the "play-by-play", is the crux of the issue that the Proton Therapy center wants to use Historic buildings to house patients who come in from out of town?

I'm with Lake, I think, just have the Proton people apply for a special exemption PUD and be done. If they help to contribute to the neighborhood in a positive way, what is the argument?

[thelakelander]

And the answer, which no on really knows---was that it was a residency hotel.  That was tossed out there in an attempt to make something stick.

Anyways, I just wanted to get the actual information out there so that we are all dealing with the same set of facts.

Give these guys a call and ask for a copy of the Lofts on Main PUD.  That will give you all the zoning information you seek on this project.

COJ Current Planning
128 East Forsyth St., Suite 700
Jax, FL 32202
(904) 630-1900

[jason_contentdg]

I agree with all of those Stephen...

I think main street revitalization needs to focus on individual Mom and Pops stores, and not try to land any sort of chain at the moment.  I think that's happening.

I would like to see more people involved with SPAR's board and more transparency.

There's going to be differences of opinions, but I at least think the ship should always be steered in a certain direction.

Preservation is key to contributing structures.  I've never been in love with the "If it's over 50 years old it has to be preserved" way of thinking.  Contributing has to go beyond its age.  A badly designed building from over 50 years ago, is a badly designed building today as well.

[mtraininjax]

Does SPAR speak for the residents of Springfield as a whole? I don't always love what RAP wants, but 80-90% of the time I agree with them. I do like the fact that lumineria will be 2 nights this year, not just 1, the Saturday and Sunday instead of just the Sunday.

[iluvolives]

Aren't 3rd and Main, condos/apartments? So they would be zoned multifamily and wouldn't fall under the same zoning regulation as a single family residence.   

[Karl_Pilkington]

Does SPAR speak for the residents of Springfield as a whole? I don't always love what RAP wants, but 80-90% of the time I agree with them. I do like the fact that lumineria will be 2 nights this year, not just 1, the Saturday and Sunday instead of just the Sunday.

no they don't thats why a lot of SPR residents aren't even SPAR members

[samiam]

From what I understand each unit would fall under zoning as a single family residence not the entire building

[thelakelander]

All it takes is a call to the planning department to get a copy of the actual PUD.

[sheclown]

I don't think anyone seriously disagrees with the structures at 3rd and Main, or thinks they are bad for the neighborhood, with or without Proton patients.

Point is, judgments based on class such as good rooming houses (Proton Lab apartments) versus bad rooming houses (Joe and my legal rentals for example) are just bound to cause strife. 

Rather than investigate any situation, SPAR Council attacks, spreads falsehoods, starts RED ALERTS and controlled panic, encourages complaints to code enforcement and other agencies, etc etc etc.  Board members throw their weight around (Proton Lab will back this up) and etc. 

This is all a waste of time.

Want reconciliation?  Let's start by not calling us "predators."  That will go a long way.

What we need are those Springfield residents who are middle of the road, willing to look at the facts of the law and the overlay, and are willing to mediate our way through this.  A thankless and dangerous job, and to-date, I don't see any volunteers.

Until then, I don't really know what will happen.