Developer seeks rezoning of about 9 acres in Jacksonville's District 10; residents cite old dumps, sinking houses

Councilwoman Renee (District 10) convened a community meeting where a property owner asked the city to rezone roughly 9 acres near Myrtle Avenue to allow higher-density residential development.

Erin Abney, a planner with the City of Jacksonville Planning Department, told the meeting, "The property owner came to us seeking to rezone their property" and said the applicant is seeking to change the parcel's zoning so that the site could host more apartment units. Abney described current zoning as a mix of RLD-60 (residential low density) and RMD‑B (residential medium density, about 10 units per acre) and said the owner seeks a conventional rezoning to RMD‑D, which would allow up to about 20 units per acre.

The request has already passed earlier review stages: Abney said the application "...was heard by planning commission... They voted approval, and then it went to... Land Use and Zoning. They voted approval, and now where we're at is... the full city council." Abney told residents the item was scheduled for a full council hearing on September 23.

The most contested issue at the meeting was the site's history and safety…