City Council rejects anti-hate crimes bill
By Michele Leivas The Jacksonville City Council rejected a bill that would have increased fines and penalties for city ordinance violations if they were deemed to be related to hate crimes. Bill #0334 was defeated on a 12-7 vote at the Aug. 13 city council meeting, with councilmembers Michael Boylan, Matt Carlucci, Tyrona Clark-Murray, Ju-Coby […]
Carlucci legislation spurs closer look at zoning overlays
The city’s planning and development department is taking a closer look at how zoning overlays are created following a public meeting held by At Large Group 4 City Councilmember Matt Carlucci last month. Held July 18 at City Hall, the meeting was spurred by legislation Carlucci introduced in May following the approval of the controversial […]
Carlucci bill would require 2/3 approval to supersede zoning overlays
Following the controversial approval of a Planned Unit Development application for the Lofts at Southbank project, At Large Group 4 City Councilmember Matt Carlucci has introduced legislation he hopes will add additional protections regarding PUD applications for projects that conflict with an area’s zoning overlay. A public hearing has been continued to July 16 to […]
Letters to the Editor: Communiqué from our Local Council Representative
The views and opinions expressed in the Letters to the Editor belong solely to the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of this publication or its editorial team. On April 23rd, the Jacksonville City Council decided to approve a rezoning that allowed storage units on the Southbank, thus breaking the […]
Self-Storage Coming to the Southbank
It came down to a 30-minute discussion at the April 23 city council meeting, during which City Councilmember Joe Carlucci implored his fellow councilmembers to back him in voting against the amended PUD rezoning for the Lofts at Southbank, the mixed-use development that would bring self-storage to the Southbank alongside retail and multi-family units. Ultimately, […]
City Raises Contention Over Ethics Bill
The Jacksonville Ethics Commission has issued a statement opposing a state bill containing amendments that it says would result in “reducing anti-corruption efforts of all local ethics commission in the State of Florida.” The bill in question – Senate Bill 7014 – was passed on Feb. 1 with amendments added “last minute,” the statement continued, […]
Laura Street Trio Awaits Next Steps
Historic properties require unique financing The future of the Laura Street Trio remains in limbo as parties return to the drawing board to settle on a redevelopment agreement to help fund its adaptive reuse and restoration. New year, new deal At a Committee of the Whole meeting on Jan. 4, representatives from the development team […]
Historical Society Breaks Ground on Jacksonville History Center
The Jacksonville Historical Society (JHS) held a groundbreaking ceremony last month to celebrate the first phase of work on The Jacksonville History Center – the city’s first museum dedicated to showcasing Jacksonville’s rich history. JHS board members and city officials participated in the event, held in front of the historic Florida Casket Company building on […]
