Sec. 656.399.12. - Legislative findings.

The Council hereby finds and determines as follows: (a) In 1990, the City of Jacksonville adopted a Historic Preservation Element as a part of the Comprehensive Plan with a goal to identify, document, protect and preserve the City's archaeological, historic, architectural, and cultural resources. (b) Pursuant to the policies of the Historic Preservation Element of the adopted Comprehensive Plan and the standards and provisions of Chapter 307 , Historic Preservation and Protection, the City of Jacksonville has subsequently designated the local Riverside/Avondale Historic District and the St. Johns Quarter Historic District to protect, preserve and enhance these historic areas of the City. (c) The Riverside/Avondale Zoning Overlay area has been negatively affected by current zoning districts and applicable design standards which do not recognize the unique character of the various neighborhoods and mixed-use centers within this area. (d) Standard zoning districts do not recognize the small lots, high lot coverage and other aspects of the neighborhood's unique residential development pattern. (e) The Riverside/Avondale Zoning Overlay area is an invaluable resource to the City and its citizens and should be preserved for future generations. (f) The negative neighborhood impacts caused by incompatible zoning must be reversed through a comprehensive program that will include design standards tailored to the diverse communities of the Riverside/Avondale area including historic residential neighborhoods, mixed-use areas and non-residential corridors. Standards should allow appropriate and compatible development to proceed without the high costs associated with variances and administrative processes required to deviate from current lot and use standards. (g) Parts of Riverside and Avondale have been negatively impacted by zoning and land use changes that have not been compatible with the surrounding uses and have contributed to decline and inhibited revitalization efforts. These negative impacts and continued relaxation of zoning requirements in areas not suitable for office or other commercial development if left unchecked will continue to destabilize the neighborhood and allow intrusive uses into residential areas within the District. (h) The design standards and regulations contained in this Subpart O were developed with the participation and assistance of neighborhood residents, property owners and City staff. (i) The Planning Commission and the Land Use and Zoning Committee considered these districts and regulations, held public hearings and made their recommendations to the Council. (j) Based on the foregoing findings, the Council hereby establishes the Riverside/Avondale Zoning Overlay regulations contained in this Subpart O for the purpose of encouraging residential owner-occupants, allowing for mixed-uses and home businesses, discouraging over-intensive uses, and providing performance standards and special regulations for uses allowed by exception. (Ord. 2008-192-E, § 3)