The City of Jacksonville's Land Use and Zoning Committee convened on June 3, 2025, to discuss several key ordinances and zoning amendments aimed at reshaping local land use and development patterns.

The meeting commenced with the review of Ordinance 2025-0269, which proposed a small-scale land use amendment from Light Industrial (LI) to Medium Density Residential (MDR) for a 0.09-acre site located at 612 Florence Street. The Planning Department recommended approval, noting that the surrounding area is more conducive to residential development. The Planning Commission had previously voted unanimously in favor of the amendment. The committee followed suit, approving the ordinance with a vote of 6-0.

Next, the committee addressed the companion rezoning ordinance, 2025-0270, which sought to rezone the same parcel from LI to MDR to facilitate single-family residential development. This ordinance also received unanimous support from the Planning Commission and was approved by the committee with a 6-0 vote.

The discussion then shifted to Ordinance 2025-0271, which proposed a land use amendment from Agriculture in the Rural Development Area to Low Density Residential (LDR) for a 46.54-acre site on Normandy Boulevard. The Planning Department found the amendment consistent with recent development trends and recommended approval. The committee approved this ordinance as well, with a vote of 6-0.

Following this, the committee reviewed Ordinance 2025-0272, a companion Planned Unit Development (PUD) rezoning for the same 46.54 acres, allowing for a maximum of 325 residential units, including single-family homes and townhomes. The Planning Department again recommended approval, citing compatibility with surrounding developments. The committee approved this ordinance with a 7-0 vote.

The committee then considered Ordinance 2025-0273, which sought to rezone 0.33 acres from Community General Commercial (CCG-S) to Commercial Residential Office (CRO-S) to allow for a model home and office in the Springfield Historic District. This ordinance was also unanimously approved by the committee.

Subsequent items on the agenda included several deferrals, followed by a zoning exception for the Medusa restaurant and lounge to permit the retail sale of all alcohol for on-premise consumption. The committee found this use compatible with the surrounding area and approved the request with a 7-0 vote.

The meeting concluded with a zoning exception for Diamond Billiards and Sports Bar, which sought to permit the retail sale of all alcoholic beverages. The establishment, taking over a previously approved location, received unanimous support from the committee.

Overall, the committee's actions reflect a continued effort to adapt land use policies to meet the evolving needs of Jacksonville's residential and commercial landscapes, with all discussed ordinances and exceptions receiving strong support.