New sprawl in Jacksonville 3.31.11

John P · March 31, 2011, 03:47:02 PM

http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-03-31/story/works-progress-new-subdivision-sunbeam-road

The land being cleared on Sunbeam Road, just west of Old Kings Road, is making way for Wexford Chase, a new subdivision. A total of 68 homes are planned on 50 by 120 foot lots. They'll range from 1,500 to 3,100 square feet with prices starting at about $150,000.

Wexford Chase LLC bought the 13.5 acres last year year for $1.1 million and is the developer, digging the retention pond, putting in the streets, etc.

KB Home is building the homes. Construction should start in June with the first model finished in July. The rest of the homes will be built to order.

ben says · March 31, 2011, 03:56:47 PM

Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pfui!

Hey guys, let's clear-cut some trees and build some low quality housing for people who can't afford it, don't need it, or will be foreclosed on anyway....

It's Florida people! We don't need more housing!

Non-RedNeck Westsider · March 31, 2011, 04:07:17 PM

Typical KB Home - construction starts in June, first model ready by July - WTF!?!

finehoe · March 31, 2011, 04:24:48 PM

Read this hilarious post from a commentor on the jax.com site:

QuoteUnder Governor Rick Scott, the sound of nail guns will reverberate throughout Florida as our economy improves under his ambitious plan.

Wexford Chase subdivision is a preview of Florida's recovery.

New job openings at construction sites offer an opportunity for public servants who don't make the cut under Rick Scott. They can retrain and enter a growing career field.

Old Republicans officeholders and officials who can't rehabilitate also will be looking for other jobs and new construction offers high pay for those who really want to work.

Straight Ahead!

O-M-G

Jimmy · March 31, 2011, 04:27:43 PM

That guy is subtle. He's one of the few bright lights on those comment threads.

copperfiend · March 31, 2011, 04:33:15 PM

Quote from: Jimmy on March 31, 2011, 04:27:43 PM
That guy is subtle. He's one of the few bright lights on those comment threads.

It is difficult to find anything on that site that isn't pure equine feces.

north miami · March 31, 2011, 04:55:24 PM

I've got a dandy photo that I took and had framed some years ago.I'll review and can post back as to the date,for darn sure the piece became a favorite Collector's item!

With confidence and anticipation I submitted the beautifully framed,telling photo for display at a city sponsored Earth Day event at the Landing.
****Rejected as 'too controversial'****

The photo depicts a Tree Farm sign,a couple of young pine trees......... and in the back ground is freshly razed landscape,bulldozer underway and related construction images............the photo taken from ATLANTIC BLVD,Jacksonville.

Onward-

Captain Zissou · March 31, 2011, 05:15:16 PM

I've seen this place a couple times as I was driving by. It looks like it will house cookie cutter homes on the tiniest of lots. This is a waste of development. The same number of units could be built on a quarter the space if they were done as town homes in blocks of about 10. The rest of the land could be preserved, have a great communal lawn with a dog park, retail, or any number of uses. Shared resources enrich lives and communities. The old picket fence American dream is over.

mtraininjax · March 31, 2011, 05:19:57 PM

QuoteI've seen this place a couple times as I was driving by. It looks like it will house cookie cutter homes on the tiniest of lots. This is a waste of development.

Regardless of your thoughts, next time by, let the people working jobs on the site know you think they're product is a waste. I am sure they will tell in their feelings as well. Just be prepared to run.

finehoe · March 31, 2011, 05:26:03 PM

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 31, 2011, 05:19:57 PM
Regardless of your thoughts, next time by, let the people working jobs on the site know you think they're product is a waste. I am sure they will tell in their feelings as well. Just be prepared to run.

So a couple of months of employment is worth decades of ugly sprawl, increased resource usage, and further depression of real estate values in that area?

mtraininjax · March 31, 2011, 05:30:43 PM

QuoteSo a couple of months of employment is worth decades of ugly sprawl, increased resource usage, and further depression of real estate values in that area?

It keeps deadbeats off the 99 weeks of unemployment, yeah, sure, why not? Worst that can happen is that the City condemns the site, and KB has to employ more people to tear down the structures.

If we had more quality jobs, this would be a mute point.

north miami · March 31, 2011, 05:39:16 PM

let the people working jobs on the site know you think they're product is a waste. I am sure they will tell in their feelings as well. Just be prepared to run.
[/quote]

The only 'inevitable' thing about growth based 'employment' is that it is un-sustainable,along with many the many costs externalized to the public.So by embracing-demanding continued "growth" based job 'creation' we are in fact creating a wellfare worker class.

mtraininjax · March 31, 2011, 05:41:16 PM

QuoteThe only 'inevitable' thing about growth based 'employment' is that it is un-sustainable,along with many the many costs externalized to the public.So by embracing-demanding continued "growth" based job 'creation' we are in fact creating a wellfare worker class.

Tell that to the 11% unemployed in Jacksonville, again, be prepared to run.

north miami · March 31, 2011, 05:55:25 PM

"New Sprawl"

?

Once again in today's 3.31.11 alert we base our assessment solely on what we see.

What we see is not what we are going to get-considering future development already 'planned' for,vested.
Vested means the public's government has granted permission for development,subject to specific performance.

Further,future growth commitments based on unquestioned "projections",assumptions.
And a public growth management involvement narrative that pounds the fist of "inevitable" growth,based after all....on the "Projections" delivered by the professionals.

I suggest in the future we look not simply to ever new unfolding 'new sprawl' but rather simply predict the future and assemble a mental model.
Access city and regional Comp plans and other definitive future growth vision material.What,for instance,is the future projected population,land area currently undeveloped yet slated for build for Duval given current planning parameters??
I could do this for you but it would be nice to see others get a handle on it.

north miami · March 31, 2011, 06:03:35 PM

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 31, 2011, 05:41:16 PM
QuoteThe only 'inevitable' thing about growth based 'employment' is that it is un-sustainable,along with many the many costs externalized to the public.So by embracing-demanding continued "growth" based job 'creation' we are in fact creating a wellfare worker class.

Tell that to the 11% unemployed in Jacksonville, again, be prepared to run.

No question.So this thread quickly veers to the ultimate thread ....population,environment,land/resource base,exponential growth,diminishing margin,Tragedy of the Commons.and Jacksonville Ethos.
In my experience,the ultimate thread soon soars above most attention spans,so i will appropriately sign of on this one from here on out.
Just go back to my earlier post (this date) re the presentation deemed 'too controversial' for the City of Jacksonville sponsored Earth Day celebration.