Planning board recommends RSF-5 zoning for 167.64-acre annexed tract tied to Thornwood expansion

The Jacksonville Planning Advisory Board voted to recommend that the City Council establish city zoning of Residential Single-Family 5 (RSF-5) for a 167.64-acre annexed tract (tax parcel 330-13) at its April 2026 meeting, advancing a proposal staff said is intended as a continuation of the Thornwood development.

Ryan, speaking for city staff, said Kimley Horn filed the request on behalf of the Patrick Trustees. He told the board the parcel is being proposed for RSF-5 as phase two of a larger Thornwood plan and that the developer has plans for roughly 850 single-family houses on adjacent land; staff said the rezoning would help enable road connections needed for fire access and to link into the Jacksonville Uptown road network.

Board members pressed staff on access and safety. One board member said the project would route additional traffic onto local residential streets and described it as a potential safety concern for children and local users; staff and other members discussed traffic-calming tools and the municipal traffic-and-safety process, and staff said the developer would construct road components to make required connections.

A motion to recommend RSF-5 was made and seconded (second by Homer). The board voted to recommend approval; the Chair noted, "Let the record reflect one opposition." The recommendation will go to City Council, which will consider annexation zoning and any public comment.

Why it matters: The decision sets the planning-level expectation for housing type and density on the annexed tract and clears a path for subdivision-level proposals and required infrastructure tie-ins, including fire-access roads.

Next steps: The planning board record and recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final zoning action and any required public hearings.