JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A proposed development to bring more homes along Commonwealth Avenue is sparking questions and concerns among local residents.
Dozens gathered at the Cisco Gardens Community Center on Monday to share their thoughts with the developers.
The current plan, if approved, would introduce 285 homes on a 124-acre plot of land, but some in the area say that is too many homes in too little space.
“When you look at different parts of the city we have different vibes and different temperaments and here on the westside we’re about land and space, Jan Rannow said. ”That’s our identity. That’s what we care about and that’s being taken away from us."
Several members of the audience said 40 and 50-foot lots are not typical in the area. While many said they aren’t opposed to having new homes, they said the space is a concern.
While the development team said they would take a look, they said it isn’t likely to change.
The development plan is still in its early stages, with developers engaging with the community to gather feedback.
Darrell Thompson has lived in the area since the mid-1970s. He actually shares a fence with the land up for a change. He said he has a lot of good memories with the family that owns that property but has seen the area change a lot over the years.
“We just wanna make sure that change is positive,” he said.
One of the primary concerns raised by residents is the potential impact on traffic, particularly with the Baldwin Rail Trail intersecting several nearby roads.
Thompson highlighted the existing high traffic volume on Commonwealth Avenue.
“There’s only a few roads that come into this are,” he said. “They’re all two-lane roads so when you begin to put in 600 mark cars based on the house is that they’re proposing you increase a lot of traffic.”
And he said that’s a problem when walkers, runners and bikers have to cross the road when taking in the trail.
Thompson said he remains hopeful, however, as community members continue to voice their opinions and work towards a resolution.
The developers aim to have the city council vote on the rezoning associated with the project on March 11.