Commission approves transmittal of 337‑acre Yellowwater Road land‑use amendment to state review

The Jacksonville Waterways Commission voted Jan. 14 to move forward with transmittal of Ordinance 2025‑0859 (land‑use application L60‑82‑25a), a proposal to change 337.29 acres east of Yellowwater Road from rural residential to low‑density residential and transmit the application to the state for review.

Ed Luka Kovic of the Planning Department described the site as 337.29 acres with 61.39 acres of wetlands and said the property sits in sub‑drainage basins of Yellowwater Creek and an unnamed stream that eventually drains via Black Creek to the St. Johns River. Under existing rural residential designations the site would allow one to two dwellings per acre depending on sewer availability; the proposed low‑density residential designation would allow up to five units per acre if sanitary sewer lines are extended.

Applicant representative Paul Harden said the project already has zoning and wetland permits in place for the portions under development and described no planned impacts to category 1–3 wetlands or creek buffers. "We have all our wetland permits, all our water management district permits," Harden told the commission. Staff and the applicant said final site plans will be required to show on‑site stormwater retention basins or mitigation bank usage to prevent increased downstream flood risk.

Commissioners asked whether the project would increase flood zones or change drainage to Black Creek. Luka Kovic and Harden responded that approved site plans and engineered stormwater facilities must ensure no increased flooding and that mitigation would be performed on‑site or through the nearby Loblawley Mitigation Bank as needed. Commissioner Mike Barker expressed cautious support but emphasized the need to ensure the site continues to serve as part of the drainage path to avoid worsening conditions downstream.

A motion to move the transmittal ordinance forward passed by voice vote; the measure will proceed through the City Council process with additional public hearings and possible adoption after state review.