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Council approves rezoning along Hemlock Street to allow smaller-lot single‑family and townhome development
Summary
The council voted 7-0 to rezone roughly 27 acres along Hemlock Street from rural residential to RLD‑40, a move staff recommended as a compatible transition from nearby medium‑density townhome developments to lower‑density subdivisions.
Jacksonville City Council voted 7-0 to approve ordinance 2024‑0975, rezoning about 27 acres along Hemlock Street from rural residential to RLD‑40 to allow single‑family and townhome development.
Planning and Development Department staff told the committee the parcel fronts Hemlock Street and connects to Lem Turner Road, a minor arterial, and that surrounding uses are primarily single‑family homes. The staff report said nearby rezonings in 2022 and 2024 allowed townhomes to the east, and a 2019 PUD to the west authorized a large subdivision with lot widths ranging from about 40 to 70 feet. “Staff has reviewed the request and finds that the proposed rezoning is consistent with the comp plan with the proposed land use category of low density residential,” the planning staff said, noting the low‑density designation allows up to seven units per acre. The department recommended approval.
Michael Sitner, speaking for the applicant, said the developer (KB Homes) plans a transition in lot sizes — larger lots (about 50 feet) facing Hemlock and 40‑foot lots deeper in the subdivision — and that KB Homes committed to that mix even though conventional zoning does not require it. Councilmember Gaffney thanked the developer for agreeing to add several 50‑foot lots after community and CPAC concerns and commended the outreach.
The bill was moved by Councilmember Arias and seconded by Dr. Johnson. With no further discussion, the committee opened the ballot; the clerk recorded seven yeas, zero nays and the ordinance passed as 2024‑0975.
The approval changes the zoning designation on the subject parcels from a rural residential classification to RLD‑40, enabling the described mix of lot sizes and townhome development consistent with staff’s findings of compatibility.
