A land swap deal between the city and Chase Properties Inc. that will open 2.37 acres of the Goodbys Creek Preserve for a “boutique-type” retail concept along San Jose Boulevard is headed to Mayor Lenny Curry for his signature.
City Council voted 18-1 on May 26 to approve Ordinance 2020-148 that swaps the land for 52 acres of environmentally sensitive wetland adjacent to Goodbys Creek.
Council member Micheal Boylan, who cast the only vote against the deal, said his constituents in District 6 were concerned busy traffic conditions in that area of San Jose Boulevard could be made worse by commercial development on the property.
Residents living near the project site told the Council May 26 they are also concerned about rezoning the property to allow commercial development on conservation land.
The Council approved two companion bills May 26 — Ordinances 2020-092 and 2020-093 — to amend the parcel’s allowed land use and zoning to move the development forward.
The votes were 18-1.
The 52 acres Chase Properties will give the city is under contract with private owners Edward and Darla Willmott of Hillard. Chase Properties CEO Mike Balanky said May 5 his company is working toward final closing.
According to Duval County property records, the Willmotts purchased the land in two separate parcels for $200 on Feb. 17, 2009.
Balanky said Feb. 10 his plans for the San Jose Boulevard property include a retail concept. In an interview May 6, the developer said wetland on the parcel will keep development to only a portion of the property’s 2.37-acre footprint.
Balanky said full-scale engineering for the project will begin soon after Council approval.
City Chief Administrative Officer Brian Hughes told the Daily Record on Feb. 10 that Chase Properties has not asked the city for any additional financial incentives for the project.