The focus of the March 15 City Council Study Session was revisiting a possible expansion of Jacksonville’s Urban Growth Boundary. After several years of no discussion, the UGB is back on the council’s radar due to the filing of a UGB expansion application and the possibility of another application being filed. To date, the developer of the Stage Pass housing development off South Stage Road near DANCIN winery has formally applied for the annexation process. The developer of a 30-acre parcel (formerly known as JK-1) that abuts Royal Mobile Estates and runs up to North Oregon Street is expected to file an application in the very near future.
The council reviewed the process and UGB history – a process that may take 6-10 years to complete before any actual development occurs. During the one-hour session, City Planning Director Ian Foster, City Administrator Jeff Alvis and other experts addressed topics including: existing buildable lands inventory and housing needs, standard vs. expedited UGB processes, Comprehensive Plan update requirements, impacts on current building and development codes, density standards for single family, multi-family housing and commercial development, costs of utility infrastructure upgrades, and more.
Administrator Alvis says he expects the Council to vote on whether to move forward with a UGB expansion once it’s before council as a formal agenda item. Interested citizens should check the City Council agenda on the city website for more regarding the matter.