Council discussion of Northeast development review board ordinance highlights state Live Local approval of housing near tire recycling site

Jacksonville City Council members and planning staff met in a notice meeting to continue review of an ordinance to create a Northeast Development Review Board and to discuss a separate, state-driven Live Local Act application that planning staff approved for multifamily housing on industrial-light zoned property near a recent tire-recycling fire.

Council Member Mike Gay, who convened the meeting, said the proposed Northeast Development Review Board would mirror the Downtown Development Review Board and cover an area north of the St. Johns River to the Duval County line, roughly east of Main Street and in parts west of the Trout River. Gay said the board would be made up of local residents who have lived in the community at least five years and professionals appointed by the mayor, with appointments confirmed by two district council members. "This is really basically the last frontier to develop," Gay said, arguing the areaincludes wetlands, waterways and 15 named islands unique to Jacksonville.

The meeting turned to a Live Local Act application that planning staff said must be approved administratively if it meets state criteria.…