Planning Commission approves UNF student housing project on First Coast Technology Parkway

The City of Jacksonville's Land Use and Zoning Committee convened on April 15, 2025, to discuss several key developments impacting local housing and land use. The primary focus of the meeting was the approval of a new multifamily housing project near the University of North Florida (UNF), which aims to address the growing demand for student accommodations.

The proposed site, located along First Coast Technology Parkway, is adjacent to existing residential areas, including the Flats at UNF, which was previously approved for student housing. The committee noted that the new development would maintain a significant landscape buffer of 50 feet from the nearby single-family homes, ensuring compatibility with the existing neighborhood. The setbacks for the new buildings are designed to be similar to those of the existing student housing, further supporting the project's appropriateness.

Steve Devenau, representing the University of North Florida, highlighted the institution's goal to increase student enrollment from 16,000 to 25,000 by 2028, emphasizing the urgent need for additional student housing. He confirmed that the project aligns with UNF's master plan and has been in consideration since at least 2010. The committee received no opposition during the public hearing, and the Planning Commission had previously voted unanimously in favor of the project.

In addition to the UNF project, the committee also reviewed a land use amendment for a 4.2-acre site on Pecan Park Road, transitioning from Agriculture and Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential. This amendment is intended to facilitate the development of approximately 72 new housing units, responding to the area's increasing housing needs due to nearby industrial growth and airport expansion. The committee noted that the development would enhance the residential character of the area and provide additional housing options.

Both projects received favorable recommendations from the committee, with the UNF housing project moving forward with a condition for a traffic study to be conducted during the civil site plan review. The committee's decisions reflect a commitment to accommodating Jacksonville's growth while considering the needs of existing residents.