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 historic,” said Sheryl Pruitt, a neighborhood resident who described older homes on her street and said she opposed additional density that she feared would change the area. Anita Williams, another resident, asked whether the posted public‑notice signage and the hearing materials would plainly show neighbors that a zoning change could allow multiple units: “I think they’re getting ready to put multi unit housing next to our homes we’ve owned for years,” Williams said, asking staff whether that point is reflected on the notice.

City staff and the city’s development manager explained the practical effects of the proposed rezoning. “With currently 1, with the zoning change approved, they could do 2 homes or a duplex,” Development Manager George Curtis said, adding that whether two separate homes could physically fit on a particular lot would depend on setbacks and lot dimensions. City staff also noted that current public‑notice procedures follow the Land Development Regulations and include a newspaper advertisement and a sign that directs interested parties to the city office for more information.

The city attorney explained the council’s legal standard for overturning a Planning & Zoning Board recommendation: the council may adopt a different outcome only if additional “substantially competent evidence” is presented that directly relates to the specific project and lot. “You’re not under a legal obligation to follow the recommendation, but there has to be presented…additional substantially competent evidence that would weigh against the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board,” counsel said during the hearing.

On ordinance 15-30 the council conducted a roll‑call first reading vote. The roll call in the transcript recorded the following positions: Offord — yes; Gladys O’Mansa — yes; Vanessa — yes; Jefferson — no; Campbell — yes. The council recorded the ordinance as approved on first reading and moved on to the next agenda item. For ordinance 15-31 the council also recorded a first‑reading roll call (Jefferson — yes; Campbell — yes) and moved forward to the next item; the packet and staff recommendation for 15-31 note a request to change the assigned district from RSF-2 to RO for 0.282 acres and explicitly cite Article 3 of the City of Live Oak Land Development Regulations as the amendment procedure.

What happens next: both ordinances were advanced after first readings; the council must hold a second reading before any rezoning becomes final. The record shows residents pressing for clearer notification and for consideration of historic character; staff and the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval and the council cited the absence of new substantially competent evidence in upholding those recommendations at first reading.