by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Legislation currently under review by the City Council may ensure one of Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhoods can maintain much of its historical integrity.
Introduced by Council member Art Shad, the ordinance will place a higher level of scrutiny on developers with intentions to build in the residential areas flanking San Marco Square.
“This is a way for the City to set a standard and establish a level of security to the individuals who have made San Marco their home,” said Shad. “There is a lot of historical value there and it needs to be preserved.”
In keeping with historical guidelines, new residential and commercial developments will be required to adhere to the conditions, including yard setbacks, facade and maximum lot coverage requirements, in place during the 1920s and 1930s, as opposed to more contemporary and relaxed guidelines.
“Everything is based on the original developments, “ said Shad. “In other words, we want to make sure a new project coming in will be compatible with what’s been there for many years. If it is, if it meets the set standard, you’re free to build.”
Set standards were approved following a study commissioned by the City’s Planning Department.
Shad said newer developments falling short of the new standard can apply for a administrative deviation, a way of getting around various zoning rules.
“It’s based on a point system,” he said of the application process. “You’re able to compare what you’re trying to do with the adjacent properties. For instance, you can look at things like height and width or window configuration to accumulate a certain number of points.
“If you can score at least seven out of 10, you qualify for an administrative deviation. If you don’t, you can’t even apply.”
However, deviated projects will still be required to meet yard setback requirements on all sides of the property.
Initial zoning legislation will only target the area of San Marco known as Lake Marco, though barring any complications, Shad said a larger section of the community will follow.
An ordinance calling for a demolition and construction moratorium in areas bounded by the St. Johns River in much of San Marco has already been introduced.
“If Lake Marco is a success, we would want to expand what we’ve done there,” said Shad. “It would make sense to duplicate it the other outlaying areas.”
Shad said the standards would serve as a “healthy compromise” to those in Springfield.
“They’re not quite as rigid,” he said. “We’re still protecting our neighborhood, but we think we have found a way where we won’t have to micro-manage every home.”
A Dist. 5 town meeting has been scheduled for Jan. 5 to discuss the new zoning requirements.
Former Council member Matt Carlucci who, according to Shad, “got the ball rolling” six months ago, said he is happy to see the project moving forward and will likely be in attendance.
“I think it’s great what’s happening, and I think it’s being handled very well by [Shad,]” said Carlucci, “but it will be interesting to hear the public’s response at the town meeting. It’s important to gauge how everyone feels about this before anything else happens.”