Neighbors oppose business-park rezoning on Historic Kings Road South; committee defers decision

The Jacksonville Land Use & Zoning Committee on a February evening deferred consideration of a proposed land-use change and rezoning (ordinances 20260022 and 20260023) for a parcel on Historic Kings Road South after residents urged the committee to reject the conversion of residentially designated land to a Business Park designation.

Planning staff recommended denial of the land-use amendment, saying the proposed Business Park designation would disrupt the existing single-family character of the corridor. The Planning Commission, however, had recommended approval when it considered the item on Feb. 5.

Developer representative Mister Herzberg argued the parcel sits adjacent to existing industrial and business-park uses and is not feasible for new residential development; he told the committee the proposed Business Park designation would act as a ‘‘transitional’’ use and that any development would be required to meet the code's buffering standards, including a 10-foot buffer, fencing and tree plantings.

Neighborhood speakers told a different story. Lisa Fowler, who lives nearby, said she opposed the change because of the loss of green space and potential noise impacts where children currently play. ‘‘I don’t think that additional noise needs to be added,’’ Fowler said. Steve Slotkin, whose Price Park subdivision abuts the site, warned the rezoning is ‘‘overly broad’’ and could permit more intensive uses such as light manufacturing next to homes. Michael Fowler, vice president of the HOA, said the scale of the warehouses proposed nearby would create visual blight behind existing houses.

Herzberg responded that proposed buildings would be enclosed warehouses and that the zoning does not allow outdoor storage or outdoor industrial activities, and he reiterated that buffering and landscaping requirements would apply.

After about an hour of presentations and three minutes of rebuttal from the applicant, the committee halted the vote and directed the applicant to meet with neighborhood representatives; the item was continued to the committee’s next meeting on March 3, 2026, for further public hearing and review.

Why it matters: The decision affects residents immediately adjacent to the corridor, who say their quality of life and neighborhood character are at stake, and it will determine whether the city allows a transition toward nonresidential uses along Historic Kings Road South. The committee’s deferral gives both sides time to negotiate design, buffering and traffic mitigation measures before the matter returns for a formal vote.

What’s next: The committee left the public hearing open and continued the item to its March 3 meeting to allow additional public input and for the applicant to work with neighbors on potential changes or conditions.