Jacksonville Beach Council Supports "Fair Share" Measure with Conditions

Strategic Insights -

The Jacksonville Beach City Council expressed support for a "fair share" measure, which would require developers to improve road capacity if their projects generate excessive traffic. However, several council members requested more information before voting on the measure on December 18. The city's planning department is working on a road capacity study to determine whether traffic from new development is outpacing road capacity, but the results won't be available until March.

Councilwoman Linda Spence suggested adopting the measure this month with modifications. Council members Rick Knight, Penny Christian, and Lee Buck plan to meet with city planners to better understand the ordinance before the vote. Despite missing the December 1 deadline set by Florida's growth management laws, the city's planning director does not expect the city to be penalized.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Jacksonville Beach City Council expressed support for a "fair share" measure that requires developers to improve road capacity if their projects generate excessive traffic.
  • Several council members requested more information before voting on the measure on December 18.
  • The city's planning department is working on a road capacity study to determine whether traffic from new development is outpacing road capacity.
  • The results of the road capacity study will not be available until March.
  • Councilwoman Linda Spence suggested adopting the measure this month with modifications.
  • Council members Rick Knight, Penny Christian, and Lee Buck plan to meet with city planners to better understand the ordinance before the vote.
  • The city's planning director does not expect the city to be penalized for missing the December 1 deadline set by Florida's growth management laws.
  • The city council approved a $2.5 million contract with C. Young Construction for an 8,000-square-foot recreation center at South Beach Park.
  • The recreation center will contain a 3,000-square-foot community center with a serving kitchen.
  • The building will be an alternate administration center in case City Hall is destroyed by a hurricane.
  • The center will be built to withstand 160 mph winds, or a Category 3 hurricane.

Statistics:

  • The city council plans to vote on the "fair share" measure on December 18.
  • The city's planning department is expected to complete the road capacity study by March.
  • The city council approved a $2.5 million contract with C. Young Construction for the recreation center.
  • The recreation center will be an 8,000-square-foot facility.
  • The community center will be 3,000 square feet.
  • The building will be built to withstand 160 mph winds.

Sources:

  • "City Council Supports Fair Share Measure", Caren Burmeister, Jacksonville Beach Council meeting transcript, date not specified.
  • "Jacksonville Beach Council Approves Recreation Center Contract", Caren Burmeister, Jacksonville Beach Council meeting transcript, date not specified.
  • Florida's growth management laws, December 1 deadline.