Committee approves compromise altering landscaping trigger for certain commercial and industrial renovations

The Neighborhoods Committee approved an amended ordinance (file number 2025-0448) on Oct. 20 that changes when landscaping requirements apply to renovations of existing commercial and industrial developments.

What the amendment does

Committee members described an amendment that "does three things," according to staff: it lengthens the look-back period for determining cumulative renovation thresholds to two years for industrial and commercial developments (up from one year in the prior draft), it raises the required landscape-expenditure percentage for certain industrial projects from 5% to 10% of project cost, and it clarifies definitions distinguishing industrial from commercial development.

Public agencies, planning and developers described the compromise as the product of focused negotiations. Councilman Randy White said he convened interested parties after the earlier committee passage and that he viewed the agreement as a compromise. Nina Sickler of Public Works said the department could accept a two-year look back where the prior draft had required a one-year look back; the planning director confirmed that additions and renovations contribute to the cumulative renovation calculation.

Supporters and concerns

Scenic Jacksonville and planning staff supported improved green infrastructure but sought a balance that would not unintentionally prevent small renovation projects. Developer representatives and small-business contractors said the previous thresholds and look-back language had impeded renovation projects, particularly for small operators who might trigger larger compliance costs when doing limited work.

Vote and outcome

After adopting the amendment, the committee approved the ordinance as amended. A recorded verbal tally on the motion showed "6 yays, 1 nay." Supporters described subsequent planning work to incentivize resilience and landscaping on other properties not subject to the renovation threshold.

Ending: The committee approved the amendment as a negotiated compromise between public works, planning and development interests and directed staff to continue work on incentives for green infrastructure in future code updates.