JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a 12-7 vote, the city council agreed to refer the ordinance back to the Land Use and Zoning Committee. Officials initially voted to amend the ordinance, but after talking it through, they changed their stance on the issue.
Developers want a "mixed-used self-storage" building. It would be located near restaurants on Hendricks Avenue and Prudential Drive. Council Member LeAnna Cumber and Councilman Matt Carlucci said downtown and areas such as Southbank and San Marco would benefit from storage units. Those areas have overlays, or special zoning districts. Carlucci told First Coast News he'd rather see more local businesses, restaurants or retail.
"You didn't listen to me before - listen to me now," Carlucci said. "This is a mistake."
Councilman Reggie Gaffney, who introduced the bill and voted in favor of it, said he had no idea what his constituents wanted and figured it was something good to do for them.
"I wouldn't want nobody to come in my backyard and file a bill," Gaffney said and then asked the council to forgive him.
Soon after, officials expressed why they were not in favor of moving forward with the ordinance. After listening to complaints during public comment and officials saying they received backlash in e-mails, the council agreed this was a policy issue.