JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A City Council member wants to create a special development review board for Northeast Jacksonville.
Council member Mike Gay introduced Ordinance 2024-0851 in October 2024 calling for the creation of the Northeast Development Review Board, but it was unanimously rejected in late January by the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee.
According to News4JAX news partner The Jacksonville Daily Record, the board would provide recommendations on rezoning requests in an area roughly bordered by the St. Johns River to the south, Main Street to the west and the Duval County line to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
On Jan. 21, the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee voted 7-0 against the legislation, after raising concerns that it would duplicate the work of the Jacksonville Planning Commission and could come with added costs for staffing and support.
Gay said he would reintroduce a revamped version of the proposal, taking into consideration the committee’s concerns.
According to Gay, the board would replace the Planning Commission for the area and not create another layer of government and added that existing zoning rules and codes will be adhered to.
“This will bring the citizens, developers, and the city together for there is no better government than when the citizens are engaged,” Gay said.
Citing a need to “get our businesses moving forward,” Gay said a critical need in the northeast area is to create “industrial sanctuaries” where companies could operate free from encroachment by residential development.
He said he was hoping to prevent situations in which residents in newly built homes near industrial properties complain about the industrial operations, pressuring companies to either relocate or curtail their work.
The nine members of the board would be appointed by the mayor’s office and confirmed by the City Council, with terms of up to three years. Residency for five years or more in the area would be a requirement to serve on the board.
He also said the meetings would happen after work hours so more people could attend them.
News4JAX spoke with residents from the Northside about this board and they said they love it.
“This board will tell people ‘Here’s your seat at the table,’” James Matchett, a Northside resident, said. “What are you saying about this development? And trust me, we’re not just trying to say no to development. We just want responsible development. Development that fits in the area they put it in.”