Live Oak council approves first readings for two Duval Street rezoning requests amid preservation concerns

The City of Live Oak City Council approved first readings of two zoning ordinances that would change the allowable uses on separate parcels along Duval Street, moving both items to a second reading.

The measures, ordinance 15-30 and ordinance 15-31, would reclassify small parcels now zoned residential single-family (RSF-2) to zoning that permits denser residential uses, including a duplex or residential‑office (RO) configuration. Ordinance 15-31 concerns a 0.282-acre parcel at 704 Duval Street Northeast; staff and the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval and the applicant’s letter of intent said the project would remove a blighted structure and construct a single duplex to increase housing availability and optimize land use.

The zoning changes drew public comment focused on the character of the Duval Street neighborhood and whether public notices make the implications clear. “I oppose this because it is…