JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A plan to build townhouses, duplexes, and other multi-family homes in Arlington to address the “missing middle” in the housing market has been put on hold after vocal community opposition.
According to the residents who were featured in the original story with News4Jax’s Briana Brownlee, they feel the story had a powerful impact, and they believe that is what caused the planning zone committee to delay their vote on the ordinance.
The City of Jacksonville had two proposals regarding “missing middle” housing.
One came from the Land Development Regulations (LDR). At the Land Use and Zoning Committee meeting on Tuesday, there was a public hearing. Arlington residents told News4Jax that more than 75 people attended to express their opposition to the bill.
The bill aimed to bring more “missing middle” housing to Jacksonville, allowing for the construction of townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes as infill development, even in established neighborhoods.
But residents of those established neighborhoods argued that the housing developments would alter the character of their community.
“It’s just a nice, quiet neighborhood,” said Aaron Jacobs, who moved to Florida after taking command of a ship at Naval Station Mayport. He found his forever home in a tucked-away, low-traffic area known for its low crime rate. “These are all single-family homes, and it was built to be that way—only single-family homes."
The committee held off on it’s vote.
Councilman Rory Diamond also had his ordinance he was trying to get pushed through the council. He confirmed that he had withdrawn his proposal.
Both Councilman Diamond and Mayor Deegan’s office stated that these types of proposals aim to help meet the growing demand for housing in Jacksonville.
A map of the proposal shows the areas where missing middle housing could be built (in blue below). Excluded areas include downtown, the Northbank and Southbank, San Marco, Miramar, and San Jose.
