Fence Dumped on Rocky River Island

Please remove the broken fence that was dumped on the Rocky River Island by tomorrow morning, July 20th. The clean up and work on the island is going to begin this week..

Thank you for your cooperation.

broken fence

Bill 2026-364

2026-364 Original Bill.pdf

Download PDF • 252KB

STOP Ordinance 2026-0364

Protect Public Hearing Rights in Duval County

This proposed zoning code change puts unbridled power in the hands of a single administrator — and takes it away from YOU!

 WHY THIS ORDINANCE IS BAD FOR DUVAL COUNTY

• Removes Public Hearings

  • Decisions shifted from public boards to a single non-elected “administrator.”

  • “Informal” hearings with no requirement for full public process.

  • No official transcript entered into public record as evidence for a potential lawsuit.

• Violates Transparency Principles (Sunshine Law Concerns)

  • Decisions made administratively rather than in open public forums.

  • Reduced oversight by elected officials and boards.

  • Limits public participation and accountability.

• Automatic Approvals Without Review

  • If the City fails to act within 30 days → application is automatically granted

  • Encourages rushed or unchecked approvals.

• Weakens Notice to Citizens

  • No requirement for published notice.

  • Only requires mailing within 300 feet of the proposed change.

  • No broad public notice → most residents remain unaware.

• Expands Power to Override Zoning Protections

  • Allows un-checked reductions in:

    • Lot size

    • Parking requirements

    • Landscaping

    • Buffers between incompatible uses

  • Allows increases in:

    • Building height

    • Lot coverage (density-like impacts)

    • ADA and Resiliency violations

• Creates a “Developer Fast-Track”

  • Administrative deviations bypass traditional zoning safeguards and laws.

  • Reduces scrutiny typically applied in public hearings.

  • Easier approvals for projects that would otherwise face community opposition.

  • With increased speed, often comes increased errors, which becomes increased burden to the public.

• Encourages Subjective, Inconsistent Decisions

  • Based on “economic difficulty” or loosely defined “public interest.”

  • Broad discretion without clear limits.

  • Enhances discrimination for those who “have less” or are disadvantaged socially.

• Appeal Process is Limited and “Burdensome” (violation of SB 180)

  • Only 14 days to appeal.

  • Requires fees.

  • Review is limited — not a full reconsideration.

  • No record of COMPETENT SUBTATIAL EVIDENCE submitted by public.

• Undermines Neighborhood Protections

  • Increased density-like impacts without rezoning.

  • Potential harm to property values and community character.

  • Rewrites the city’s Comprehensive Plan one administrative approval at a time WITHOUT quasi-judicial rulings, violating City charter and State law.

  • Further eroding “Home Rule” while making CPAC ‘S dispensable.

WHAT THIS BILL WOULD MEAN TO YOU

• Even less transparency between policy makers, developers, and the general public!

• More backroom decision-making guaranteeing an increase in “sweetheart” deals!

• More power and profit for developers, lawyers, and bureaucrats, almost none for property owners in neighborhoods!

 LEGAL & CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS and VIOLATIONS CASE LAW

• Right To Be Heard (Due Process)

  • Mathews v. Eldridge

    
    

    → Government actions affecting property rights require meaningful opportunity to be heard.

• Public Participation in Zoning Decisions

  • Board of County Commissioners v. Snyder

    
    

    → Zoning actions must follow fair, quasi-judicial procedures.

• Florida Sunshine Law Violations

  • Florida Sunshine Law

    
    

    → Requires decisions affecting the public to occur openly, not administratively behind closed doors.

  • Town of Palm Beach v. Gradison

    
    

    → Public must be included in decision-making process, not excluded.

• Arbitrary and Unequal Treatment Concerns

  • Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co.

    
    

    → Zoning must not be arbitrary or favor select property owners.

TAKE ACTION NOW

• Contact ALL Jacksonville City Council members to OPPOSE Ordinance 2026-0364. www.jacksonville.gov and receive public hearing and committee hearing dates not available through the legislative gateway at this time. (Out of ADA Compliance)

• Demand full public hearings for ALL zoning changes.

• Attend ALL the public hearings to get your Competent Substantial Evidence of opposition on record.