Committee approves RLD‑60 rezoning on Starett Road after contentious public hearing over wetlands, traffic and density

The Land Use & Zoning Committee voted 4-3 on Oct. 21 to approve ordinance 2025‑0215, a conventional rezoning for about 42.39 acres along Starett Road that will allow development under the RLD‑60 zoning standard rather than the applicant’s earlier townhome plan.

Applicant Cindy Trimmer said the proposal originally sought townhouse development that met strong neighborhood opposition; the developer increased the acreage and amended the request to 60‑foot single‑family lots after community feedback. She said the revised plan reduces density from an earlier 222‑unit townhome proposal to 135 single‑family homes (about 3.19 units per acre) and preserves roughly 8.6 acres of wetlands, roughly 4 acres of ponds and about 2.5 acres of dedicated recreation/open space.

Opponents described the area as established low‑density, pointing to surrounding large lots (often 1 acre or larger) and argued the change would create spot zoning, urban sprawl and infrastructure strain. Speakers raised technical concerns including whether some proposed home sites would be on wetlands, whether required 50‑foot upland buffers would be maintained, stormwater and erosion risk, and whether area schools — such as Sheffield Elementary — could absorb additional students. Several speakers said roads in the area are two‑lane and that turn lanes and other road improvements should be required. Multiple residents requested either larger lot sizes (80–120 feet) or a mixed product rather than 60‑foot lots.

Planning staff recommended approval, noting the site sits in the suburban development area and the existing land‑use category is Low Density Residential (which can allow up to 7 units per acre in the suburban area). Staff said road capacity for the relevant segment of Starett Road operates at about 44 percent of capacity and that utilities (JEA) have availability given the previously analyzed 220‑unit scenario. Planning staff also noted adjacent approved developments include RLD‑60 lots.

Committee debate centered on compatibility, wetlands and community outreach. Councilmember Gay and others pushed for a clearer community meeting regarding the amended request; the applicant said she met repeatedly with the council office and neighborhood stakeholders and provided an informational site plan to illustrate setbacks, ponds and common open space. After an initial 3-3 tie, members reconsidered and approved the rezoning 4-3.

The committee attached the amendment to change the conventional rezoning to RLD‑60 per the applicant’s amended request and approved the ordinance as amended. The committee recorded ex parte disclosures, including Councilmember Freeman reporting 12 emails in opposition filed with legislative services.