Over a recommendation from city staff for denial, the Jacksonville Planning Commission voted to recommend an amended version of a zoning exception to allow for semi-tractor parking in Northwest Jacksonville.
The commission approved the request on a 6-1 vote, with Amy Fu casting the no vote, on Exception E-25-42 for a 2.6-acre parcel at 8374 New Kings Road. The site is between Gilchrist Road and Finch Avenue. The commission’s vote constitutes final action on the exception, which is not subject to a vote by the Jacksonville City Council.
The city’s Planning and Development Department recommended denial of the request, saying the proposed use would have a detrimental effect on vehicular and pedestrian traffic and on the future development of the area around the property. Planners also said the exception was not consistent with the city’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
The exception passed with two amendments. The owner of the land will be required to spend 5% of the 2024 assessed property value on landscaping along the right-of-way. Additionally, any future owners of the property must return to the Planning Commission for reapproval of the amended exception.
According to the application for the exception, the property owner, Tammy Bennett, was cited for having semi-tractors and trailers on the property without the proper exception. After clearing the vehicles and trailers off the property, Bennett applied for the exception and revised it to only allow for semi-tractor parking.
The KingSoutel Crossing Community Redevelopment Agency advisory board also unanimously recommended denial. The board said the requested use of the land would not contribute to the redevelopment plan to establish an automobile-oriented commercial corridor offering area retail and services.
In addition, the board said the use would encourage an intensification of industrial-type uses which could exacerbate blighting concerns, and did not meet the Kings Road Design objectives of the Redevelopment Plan.
The property is located within the KingSoutel Crossing Community Redevelopment Area.
Jacksonville City Council member Ju’Coby Pittman submitted a letter to the Planning Commission expressing support for the CRA advisory board’s decision.
Representatives for Bennett disagreed with the recommendations of denial.
“This is a request to do what thousands of lots are doing in this same exact neighborhood,” said land use attorney Paul Harden, the agent for Bennett. “We are the only one who came in and asked to do it right.”
In its staff report, the Planning and Development Department noted that while there were other lots also housing semi-tractors and trucks, those properties also were in violation of city code.
Both Karen Nasrallah, a redevelopment manager who works with the KingSoutel Crossing CRA in the Office of Economic Development, and one member of the public spoke against the exception to the commission.
“They have contributed to the blight of the area,” Nasrallah said. “It is the owner’s responsibility to do their due diligence and learn what is permitted in that area. She didn’t do that.”
Commissioner Charles Garrison, who proposed the two amendments to the application, said he wanted to find a solution that worked for both parties while allowing the request to move forward.
“I want to see a compromise. I don’t want to impede your client’s use of this property,” Garrison said. “I think this is a good enough compromise for both parties.”
Fu said she didn’t feel the commission had spent enough time “digging in” to the application to overrule the recommended denial of the Planning and Development Department.