Sec. 656.399.1. - Legislative findings.

The Council hereby finds and determines as follows: (a) Within the greater San Marco Neighborhood Overlay Zone ("Zone" as defined hereafter) and within the Lake Marco Overlay Subzone ("Subzone" as defined hereafter) there currently exists a high degree of uniformity and sense of history of the design, style, massing, scale, rhythm and symmetry to the individual and interrelated development of the area. (b) Primarily because of the Zone's historical patterns of design and development, it and the Subzone therein is perceived as one of the most desirable places in the City of Jacksonville to work, eat, shop, live and play due to its close proximity to downtown, economic vitality, aesthetic appeal, historical integrity and distinctive overall charm. (c) In the past ten years, the Zone has experienced increased development pressure and many recent developments have digressed from the Zone's historical design, massing and platted building restriction lines and have deviated from the general zoning requirements in order to maximize short-term gain. Such a trend, if left unchecked and continuing unabated, would lead to a loss of vitality, character, aesthetic appeal, historical integrity and overall charm and eventually might contribute to the decline of the Zone in terms of desirability; (d) In order to preserve the economic vitality, character, aesthetic appeal, historical integrity and overall charm of the Zone, it is recommended that the following provisions of this Subpart M be adopted which provide special zoning restrictions, standards and processes which facilitate the historical design and platted patterns of development, especially those related to height, bulk and setbacks. (Ord. 2004-1105-E, § 1)