Jacksonville City Council Rejects Redevelopment Plans for Allstate Campus
In a decisive move, the Jacksonville City Council voted against a proposed rezoning of the former Allstate Campus office park, denying the request to transform the site into a mixed-use development. This decision, made on December 10, came after an extensive opposition campaign from local residents who expressed concerns over increased traffic and the density of the proposed residential units.
Details of the Proposal
The redevelopment plan, branded as The Pondry, aimed to include various components: a total of 192,836 square feet of office space, 250 residential units consisting of 24 row houses, 36 town homes, and 190 condominiums, along with 20,019 square feet of retail space. The plans also included surface parking and dedicated parking areas on the ground floors of the residential and retail buildings.
Neighborhood Concerns
Opponents to the project, many of whom reside in the upscale Pablo Creek Reserve gated community neighboring the site, voiced worries about the area’s traffic congestion and what they deemed an inappropriate residential density. The homeowners, living in properties valued as high as $5 million, felt that the proposed development would detract from the community’s character, which comprises about 280 homes spread over 400 acres.
City Council’s Vote
Out of the 19 council members present, the proposal was rejected with a 17-2 vote. Council members Jimmy Peluso and Tyrona Clark-Murray were the only members to support the rezoning. A week prior, the Council’s Land Use and Zoning (LUZ) Committee unanimously recommended rejecting the plan, a decision that took into account the opinions of over 50 residents who attended the committee meeting in opposition.
Communications and Opposition
In the lead-up to the vote, Council members reported receiving numerous communications regarding the proposal. Nick Howland, a council member, indicated he received as many as 186 emails opposing the project. This influx of emails largely reflected the sentiments within the community, as many residents expressed their refusal to support any such developments near their homes.
Contrasting Opinions
Despite the overwhelming local opposition, Council member Will Lahnen praised the LUZ for taking residents’ concerns seriously. In contrast, Peluso argued the decision overlooked the city’s pressing need for additional housing. During the meeting, he suggested that the rejection could lead to potential legal action due to the unmet housing demands in the area.
The proposal had pitted two notable land use attorneys against one another. Paul Harden, representing the neighbors, opposed the plan, while Steve Diebenow, who represented the developer, Trevato Development Group, contended that the developers had made several concessions to address community concerns. This included removing plans for a hotel and modifications to the retail and residential features.
Conclusion
The former Allstate Campus, located at 4920 San Pablo Road near the Mayo Clinic, will remain zoned for Commercial Office use despite the development proposal. The city council’s decision underscores the power of community voices in local governance and highlights ongoing tensions between development needs and residential character in Jacksonville.
