by David Ball
Staff Writer
Members of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission’s Design Review Committee on Thursday discussed breaking out the legal “shades” as they transition into the newly-created, and Sunshine Law-governed, Downtown Development Review Board. That is, if the current members are even reappointed.
JEDC Deputy Director Paul Crawford told the current voting members of the DRC who wish to continue serving to submit written requests, which will be considered by Mayor John Peyton in his final selection of the nine-member DDRB. The group also includes 11 non-voting ex-officio members to provide expertise and technical assistance.
“We have had other requests to serve,” said Crawford of the board that will continue the DRC’s job of reviewing design and build criteria for Downtown projects, but will also include Planning Commission duties to review rezoning and zoning exceptions, variances and waivers for any project within the Downtown Zoning Overlay district.
“Previously it was bifurcated, where a developer had to get approval from one board and then another board,” Crawford told the Daily Record. “Our hope is that it will be more of a streamlined process.”
What may become less streamlined is the meeting itself, as DDRB members will have to adhere to a new set of rules when taking up quasi-judicial planning issues.
“Do we take public comment?” asked DRC member Andy Sikes, who is part of a subcommittee helping to create the new DDRB bylaws.
Crawford said the board is now required to allow public input during quasi-judicial hearings, as well as disclose any ex parte communications members may have had with developers or other applicants before a vote.
“When the new board convenes, I’d like to do a full-blown Sunshine Law and ex parte communication presentation,” said Tracey Arpen, an attorney with the Office of General Counsel. “If two or more of you plan to meet or happen to meet, make sure you adhere to the Sunshine Law.”
Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine law was enacted in 1967 as a way to prevent unnoticed “back room” meetings. The Jacksonville City Council is currently under investigation for possible Sunshine Law violations.
If DRC members are appointed to the DDRB, and Crawford said many have expressed such an intent, they will have plenty of time to become familiar with new procedures. Crawford said the first official DDRB meeting won’t be until October.
The DDRB discussion was the lengthiest part of Thursday’s meeting, which included three agenda items.
The board gave final approval for renovations of Winn-Dixie on Market Street. The grocery store will add 3,100 square feet, create a more modern facade and include an 80-square-foot police substation. The board asked that signage on the side of the building be moved to the back and that landscaping create a proper buffer along Beaver Street.
“It drives me crazy when we read in the press that there’s no grocery store Downtown. There is,” DRC member William “Trip” Stanly said. “This is your chance. Make the most of this marketing opportunity.”
The board also granted final approval for renovations to the new Dalton Agency offices at Hemming Plaza. Dalton representatives originally requested permission to remove a row of sidewalk oak trees along Monroe Street, but the idea was scrapped.
“We just did not want to deal with that,” said Erik Kasper of Kasper Architecture Development. “Dalton is moving out soon...and we need our building permit now to complete construction.”
Finally, the board granted approval of construction of a parking lot for the Churchwell Lofts being built at the corner of Bay and Market streets.