Roost decision spurs new legislation for Riverside Avondale Historic Overlay

[thelakelander]

Should be a boost for Murray Hill's Edgewood Avenue and Brooklyn....

On May 24, the same day that the Roost PUD passed, Love introduced Ordinance 2016-366. It amends chapter 656 of the zoning code and puts further specifications on proposed PUDs in the Riverside Avondale Historic Overlay. Specifically, that any proposed PUD in front of the planning and development department, local planning agency and City Council within the overlay has to be consistent with the overlay district and historic district regulations, that it will not negatively impact or alter the character of the area or corridor and that it won't result in the destruction of natural resources or existing buildings in the overlay.

The ordinance further states that any proposed developments, including PUDs, within the overlay must meet all requirements of the overlay, including parking requirements. It also states that all PUDs submitted to the city within the Historic Residential Character Area of the overlay on or after July 12 must be mixed-use, with no less than half of the development residential, and be no bigger than two acres.

http://jacksonville.com/current/town/2016-06-23/story/roost-decision-spurs-new-legislation-riverside-avondale-historic?utm_source=eyepiece&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=cxense&cx_navSource=eyepiece#cxrecs_s

[JaxAvondale]

Why not just re-address the Overlay? This seems like quite an over-reaction.

[mtraininjax]

Nothing lasts forever, just ask Great Britain today.

[bencrix]

Why not just re-address the Overlay? This seems like quite an over-reaction.

Yes. It's nearly ten years old. Time to update it for today's market realities. That and the liquor regs. 

Looking at the Oak Street corridor where the proposed Roost is located, the Overlay designated it "residential character" - back when the overly was designed, there must have been an expectation among the authors that this former streetcar alignment (mostly commercial - much of it in converted SFR - and multi-family residential, w/ some mixed-use and SFR & a lot of vacant / neglected stock of all kinds) would convert  to mostly residential.

That's not the way things turned out. Now this is a corridor (along w/ a handful of others) w/ great potential for development. Time for the overlay to intelligently direct diversification / densification hotspots like these.

[JaxAvondale]

that it will not negatively impact or alter the character of the area or corridor and that it won't result in the destruction of natural resources or existing buildings in the overlay

.

obviously as roost doesn't really fit any of these this seems a bit redundant

Looking at the Oak Street corridor where the proposed Roost is located, the Overlay designated it "residential character" - back when the overly was designed, there must have been an expectation among the authors that this former streetcar alignment (mostly commercial - much of it in converted SFR - and multi-family residential, w/ some mixed-use and SFR & a lot of vacant / neglected stock of all kinds) would convert  to mostly residential

Your accurate description of a commercial, multi-family Oak st is why these PROUD folks are so baffling.  The past characterization as residential character really doesn't square with reality:  a few single family homes surrounded by vacant commercial does not equate to residential.  Just because PROUD wishes nothing would ever happen doesn't mean this is anything more than an historic commercial corridor that will correctly be returned to operational in short time.

But maybe PROUD can find a patron who want to spend a cool mil to open up a little quaint art gallery like on their website.  I hear those galleries just print money.  Especially in Jax

Agreed! I have gone to a few of these meetings and I don't really understand PROUD's hard line stance on this issue.

[mtraininjax]

laissez faire - Let the market decide if it wants or needs more restaurants and/or establishments. This is a waste of time for Jim and his staff. They have many more safety and public needs to be addressed. The Overlay is going to be outdated by the time it gets created anyway and is just a waste of time and resources.

[thelakelander]

Lakelander, curious if you'd flesh out why you see a boon for those areas.  I guess just easier to develop?

It's easier to move a business into (less headache and money spent for the business owner), buildings are typically cheaper and its still close enough to Riverside to attract the same demographic.

[Know Growth]

laissez faire - Let the market decide if it wants or needs more .......

The Citizens decide

Some areas,neighborhoods have historically been nonchalant,disengaged,'Laissez Faire',which can prove to be Malaise.
Riverside/Avondale,San Marco residents exhibit a different outlook and propensity to engage in planning and that has been a key element of the "Difference",and in fact popularity for business placement.

I participated in the Overlay creation and although proceedings were not as contentious as say,Clay County Brannon Field and Lake Asbury Sector Plans (***),I just knew there must have been certain 'loophole' inherent within the Overlay.There were hints.

The new Legislation is of course past due,largely ignored thanks to past events.
Mellow Mushroom and St Johns Village substantial deviation proposals were,to some extent possible,moderated and negotiated by citizens who enjoyed "Standing",knowledge and financial resources to  pursue the 'Nuclear Option'; Appeal.
As predicted,it was only a matter of time until we were faced with the inevitable City Council vote shift.

No wonder the legal counsel for Mellow Mushroom,Village and Roost has remained the same.Some observed in the past that the attorney was not a 'sharp tack'.    I admire the persistence.    Past performance no guarantee of future events.

Tragedy Of The Commons   We could rename a street "Garrett Hardin Way"

I concur with Lake,new ventures could be 'forced' to focus on Murray Hill rather than Riverside/Avondale.
Would have hoped,and expected that dynamic would have been well in place by now.

(***)  Interesting to note that the Clay County Planner keenly involved with the Brannon Chaffee Sector Plan,careful "Pro Growth" guidance to assure future First Coast Beltway,all the while resided in Riverside.She would later end up contributing effectively towards We Love Avondale involvement.

[mtraininjax]

From the Riverside / Avondale Neighborhood board (it would appear that Cowford Traders' old spot is to become a restaurant as well) YAY!

How many of our neighbors in Avondale are aware that as long as someone opens a restaurant in Avondale 100 seats or under needs no parking requirements ! In other words, 2, 3, 4 or 10 more can open restaurants and not one parking space needs to be qualified ! This is insane!

There is one more opening with 100 seats now in the old Cowford Traders space! I thought after the 10s of thousands of dollars spent on parking studies it proved that there was no more room for any more to open. How many more will open? Without something being done many of the retail shops will close!

People will drive around for 20 minutes to dine out, but no one will do the same to run in for a cookie or ice cream ! Progress is good but needs to be put in check!

Of course this is great news for the Trolley.

[JaxAvondale]

There isn't a parking problem in Avondale. There are plenty of places to park.

If I went to the SJTC to buy something from Dick's Sporting Goods then went to eat at M Shack. I would spend more time parking and walking there than I ever would if I went to Endurance and Mellow at The Shoppes of Avondale.

[mtraininjax]

There isn't a parking problem in Avondale. There are plenty of places to park.

Nope, not right in front of the place I plan to visit. I aint gonna park 2-3 blocks and walk......its the same argument you get downtown. No one wants to have to walk.

I think Jack Shad should add meters out in front. That would liven up the crowd! Yikes!