David Weekley Homes, the first builder to stake a claim for development at E-Town in South Jacksonville, bought property in the emerging mixed-use community off Florida 9B. The Houston-based homebuilder bought land Jan. 31 for $6 million from Eastland Timber LLC, led by members of the Davis family.
The Duval County Property Appraiser calculates the purchased acreage at 111.28 acres. Keith Donnelly, land acquisition manager with David Weekley Homes, said the parcel will be a gated community of 143 homesites that are 50 feet wide and 79 that will be 60 feet wide.
He said the land will be developed as a joint venture between David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes. “We expect to have David Weekley model homes under construction before the end of the year,” he said in a statement.
Donnelly said 36 acres of the parcel will be preserved as conservation area and parks will be included in the community development. A conceptual site plan filed with the city shows that David Weekley Homes wants to develop a 222-home subdivision east of Interstate 295 and Florida 9B in the E-Town development.
The site plan shows the single-family lots, buffers, three ponds and two parks.
Roger O’Steen, chairman and founder of The PARC Group, which develops Davis family property, said previously that several builders are working on preliminary plans and permits for neighborhoods within E-Town.
O’Steen said a master community plan is under development to include parks, amenities, electric-cart paths, walking trails, neighborhood shops, restaurants and job centers.