The plan calls for dozens of duplexes and townhomes packed into a space of less than 10 acres.<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 A proposed housing development in Jacksonville\u2019s Oceanway neighborhood is facing growing opposition.<\/p>\n
Some residents say the plan to build 62 homes on less than ten acres will overwhelm the community and clog already congested roads.<\/p>\n
The rezoning proposal calls for converting rural residential land near Starratt and Yellow Bluff roads into a planned unit development featuring single-family homes and duplexes. Many neighbors say the high-density project is too large for the area.<\/p>\n
\u201c31 duplexes, but 62 homes on just over nine acres, they\u2019re trying to cram as much as they can in,\u201d Jason Riff, who has lived in the area since 2007, said. \u201cWe\u2019re not against development, it\u2019s inevitable, but this goes beyond what the community wants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nearby residents also worry about safety at the intersection of Starratt and Yellow Bluff, which is already packed with traffic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI sat here between 4 and 6 p.m. the other day and counted 2,480 cars going through,” neighbor Jim Droste said. “There were a lot of close calls.”<\/p>\n
He raised concerns about the lack of crosswalks and the danger posed to children who would have to cross busy roads. Aside from traffic, residents also shared fears over strained wells and septic systems, flooding risks and a development that clashes with the rural character of the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lived in Cape Coral for 12 years, but it got too crowded,\u201d Droste said. \u201cWe found this beautiful sanctuary here with woods and waterways nearby. It\u2019s why we moved.\u201d<\/p>\n
John and Shirley Spurgeon, who built their home themselves, echoing that message.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our home, this is our forever place,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n