Ventures Development Group will fight an appeal to its proposed 13-story Downtown Southbank residential tower.
Attorneys for neighboring property owners said they believe the proposed tower does not provide enough parking and will cause more traffic congestion.
The City Council Land Use and Zoning Committee will hear arguments for the appeal Nov. 21.
In August, attorneys representing Baptist Health and owners of the Aetna Building did not persuade the Downtown Investment Authority to overturn approval of the project.
The Downtown Development Review Board approved the project in June.
At Tuesday’s DIA meeting, the board approved amending a previous resolution that extends the closing date on the property to Jan. 15. The original closing date of Oct. 18 was missed because of the ongoing appeal process.
Aundra Wallace, DIA CEO, said he would “present the facts” to council members in support of the project at the LUZ meeting.
“I think extending this closing date is a wise choice,” Wallace told the board. “Staff believes that the original approval by the DDRB was the right decision.”
In June, the Downtown Development Review Board voted 4-1 to grant five deviations for the development, including a reduction in required parking from 559 to a minimum of 337 spaces; altered landscaping along adjacent railroad tracks at the east end of the development to provide a buffer; an increase in the allowed building height from 60 to 190 feet; and reduced setbacks from the riverfront bulkheads in certain areas from 50 to 25 feet.
Jacksonville-based Ventures Development wants to build on 2.9 acres between the Aetna Building and the Acosta Bridge, also known as the Hines property.
Baptist Health operates a campus across the street and leases space in the Aetna Building. It is building a 2,400-vehicle parking garage.
The Ventures project would add 300 apartments and townhomes to the Southbank.
A three-level parking garage would be built within the tower, along with 12 public surface-level spaces for access to the Riverwalk.
Project renderings show a private courtyard, pool and other amenities for residents, along with 53,000 square feet of open space along the riverfront for the public.