Land Use & Zoning Committee - 2026-01-21
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Land Use & Zoning Committee approved eight items on January 21, 2026, including a rezoning at Airport Road for a rental car business near Jacksonville International Airport, a 337-acre land use amendment at Wells Road and Yellowwater Road for residential development, and a zoning exception for a liquor store at Blanding Boulevard and Confederate Point Road (former strip club site). A rezoning request at 4113 Bender Road from commercial office to residential office was deferred pending applicant contact with District Council Member Ken Amaro.
Key Decisions (8)
Rezoning at Airport Road for Rental Car Business
Conventional rezoning of approximately 2.47 acres from CCG-1 to CCG-2 on the North Side of Airport Road to allow rental car business use due to proximity to Jacksonville International Airport. Applicant not named in transcript.
Land Use Amendment at Wells Road and Yellowwater Road
Large scale land use amendment transmittal for 337.29 acres at the Southeast Intersection of Wells Road and Yellowwater Road, North of Normandy Boulevard, seeking to change from rural residential (RR) to low density residential (LDR) and extend suburban development boundary. Allows single family residential development under existing PUD zoning at two units per acre.
PUD Rezoning for Chef's Gardens of Jacksonville
PUD rezoning of approximately 1.7 acres from industrial business park to PUD at St. John's Bluff Road area for Chef's Gardens of Jacksonville to renovate existing building for catering and event services. Includes parking variations and site-specific landscaping requirements.
PUD Rezoning for Vehicle Garage Condominium on Phillips Highway
PUD rezoning of approximately 5.14 acres from CCG-2 to PUD along Phillips Highway for private automobile and vehicle garage condominium development.
Rezoning at 4113 Bender Road from Commercial Office to Residential Office
Conventional rezoning of approximately 0.35 acres from commercial office (CO) to residential office (RO) along Rejero Road to allow single family residential use. Applicants Ruth Velasquez and Lazaro Garcia. Deferred due to applicants not having contacted District Council Member Ken Amaro.
Zoning Exception for Road Frontage Waiver
Zoning exception to reduce required road frontage from 48 feet to zero feet to permit subdivision and development of additional single family dwelling in RLD-60 zoning district. Property has existing 1960 single family home; applicant seeks to build second home on western portion using 12-foot access easement. Applicant represented by Mike Herzberg.
Zoning Exception for The Creative Cook at Mayport Road
Zoning exception to allow retail sale and service of all alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption at 0.46 acre site at Southwest intersection of Fairway Villas Drive and Mayport Road. Proposed use is grocery store, butcher shop, and chef's table concept called The Creative Cook. Former Terry's Country Store location vacant since 2023. Applicant represented by Cindy Trimmer.
Zoning Exception for Liquor Store at Blanding Boulevard
Zoning exception to allow retail sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption at 0.6 acre parcel at corner of Blanding Boulevard and Confederate Point Road. Former adult entertainment center converting to package store with drive-through. Companion waiver WLD-25-16 reduces minimum distance from Liberty Christian Fellowship Ministries from 500 feet to 178 feet. Applicant represented by Josh Cockrell.
Zoning Changes (5)
North Side of Airport Road near Jacksonville International Airport
Not specified
Southeast Intersection of Wells Road and Yellowwater Road, North of Normandy Boulevard
Multiple land owners (represented by Paul Harton)
St. John's Bluff Road area
Chef's Gardens of Jacksonville
Phillips Highway
Not specified
4113 Bender Road along Rejero Road
Ruth Velasquez and Lazaro Garcia
Development Activity (6)
Rental Car Business at Airport Road
2.47 acres rezoned from CCG-1 to CCG-2 for rental car business
Wells Road Residential Development
337.29 acres for single family residential at two units per acre under existing PUD zoning; extends suburban development boundary
Chef's Gardens of Jacksonville
1.7 acres; renovation of existing warehouse building for catering and event services
Vehicle Garage Condominium
5.14 acres for private automobile and vehicle garage condominium
The Creative Cook
0.46 acres; grocery store, butcher shop, and chef's table concept with alcohol service
Package Store at Blanding Boulevard
0.6 acres; liquor store with drive-through; former adult entertainment center built in 1957 undergoing renovations
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
The 337-acre Wells Road land use amendment supports residential growth near Cecil Commerce Center, indicating demand for housing to support nearby employment centers.
Commercial Demand
Multiple commercial rezonings along arterial corridors (Airport Road, Phillips Highway, Blanding Boulevard) suggest continued demand for service and retail uses along major transportation routes.
Sentiment
Community opposition to residential development in formerly rural areas cited concerns about traffic, construction debris, and loss of agricultural character, indicating tension between growth and preservation.
Infrastructure
The extension of the suburban development boundary at Wells Road reflects gradual transition of rural areas to suburban character over the past 20 years.