‘Enough is enough’: Mayor Deegan signs bill requiring increased protection for zoning in overlays

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new bill signed into city law aims to further restrict zoning changes in protected Jacksonville neighborhoods like downtown.

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Instead of a simple majority from the council, the bill requires an additional single vote to change what’s called an overlay, or a set of guidelines for development in certain neighborhoods. City leaders said it exists for a reason and should be followed.

“We have overlays for a reason. It should be harder to overturn an overlay,” Mayor Donna Deegan said before signing a bill to increase the requirements. The bill was introduced by Council Member Matt Carlucci last Spring.

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“Developers get paid to do what they do. I get paid to do what I do. I want to protect neighborhoods, the work people put into their neighborhoods,” he said.

The Southbank, for example, is in the downtown overlay which bans storage units. After a years-long fight from neighbors and multiple proposals, the council still narrowly approved a mixed-use development called the Lofts at Southbank. It includes affordable apartments, retail, and storage units (

READ: Southbank storage facility moves to City Council with LUZ approval

“I just said enough is enough. Stop it and listen to what the people are trying to tell you,” Carlucci said.

The bill now requires 11 of the 19-member council to approve zoning exceptions in overlays. It’s a compromise from the two-thirds vote Carlucci had originally proposed.

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“Better to get some more protection than not have any at all,” he said. “There’s a lot of opposition from lobbyists and developers. They’ve got their job to do. But there’s a lot of support from the people.”

Council approved the bill in a 10 to 9 vote earlier in November. Opponents said it was an overreaction to the Lofts at Southbank project.

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