To get a feel for the zoning restrictions and the cultural character of Jacksonville's Black Hammock Island, here is an example of recent legislation on fencing protocols. This policy, which addresses the practical activity of keeping animals, communicates the realities of life on the island.
Introduced by Council Member Holt:
ORDINANCE 2014-147
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 656 (ZONING CODE), ORDINANCE
CODE; CREATING NEW SUBPART Q (Black Hammock Island Overlay), SECTION
656.399.50 (Black Hammock Island Overlay), Ordinance
Code, ADOPTING A BLACK HAMMOCK ISLAND ZONING OVERLAY CONCERNING THE HEIGHT
OF FRONT YARD FENCES ON BLACK HAMMOCK ISLAND, IN the generally the area WEST OF
THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, SOUTH OF NASSAU COUNTY LINE, EAST OF CEDAR POINT ROAD;
Providing for adoption of overlay map and publication of approved map and
ordinance; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Black Hammock
Island, with its rich and unique history dating back several hundred years, was
essentially vacant and undisturbed until the 1970s when a few families began to
inhabit the island drawn to its rural character, aesthetic appeal, and quality
of life for Black Hammock Island residents; and
WHEREAS, until the early 1990s Black Hammock Island
was zoned Open Rural, which allowed for farming, cattle raising, limited residential
on low density lots and other rural uses; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, the City, through the state
mandated comprehensive planning process set forth in Chapter 163, Florida
Statutes, adopted the 1990 Comprehensive Plan and approved corresponding,
complimentary zoning districts in the Zoning Code which amended the Open Rural
zoning district to the zoning district now known as Rural Residential Acre; and
WHEREAS,
due to the rural and rustic
nature of Black Hammock Island, which is in great contrast to the urban and
suburban residential zoning districts in the greater Jacksonville area,
residents have constructed fences in and along their front yard boundaries for
safety and security; and
WHEREAS, there was no restriction on the height of
front yard fences in the Open Rural zoning district when many of the fences
were constructed, but currently the Rural Residential Acre zoning district is
limited by the provisions of Section 656.402 of the Zoning Code; and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes the unique character
and history of Black Hammock Island and finds that front yard fences up to six
(6) feet in height and not more than 50% opacity are appropriate within the limited
confines of Black Hammock Island and desire to create an overlay to acknowledge
the local character and historical integrity of the area without having an adverse
impact on the quality of life and aesthetic appeal of the area; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED
by the Council of the City of Jacksonville :
Section 1. Findings Adopted. The Council hereby adopts the above
findings and incorporates them herein by reference.
Section 2. Creating a new Section 656.399.50 (Black
Hammock Island Overlay), Chapter 656 (Zoning Code), Ordinance Code.
A new Section 656.399.50 (Black Hammock Island Overlay),
Chapter 656 (Zoning Code), Subpart Q, Ordinance
Code, is hereby created to read as follows:
CHAPTER 656. ZONING
CODE
* * *
SUBPART Q. BLACK
HAMMOCK ISLAND OVERLAY
* * *
Sec.
656.399.50. Black Hammock Island
Overlay. The Council finds that permitting fences greater than four
(4) feet of height in the required front yard of residentially zoned districts on
Black Hammock Island is appropriate and justified based on the local character
and historical integrity of the area subject to certain limitations enumerated below.
The maximum height of a fence located within the required front yard in the
Black Hammock Island Overlay is six (6) feet in height provided that the fence
is not more than 50 percent opaque. The Black Hammock Island Overlay area is
visually depicted in Exhibit 1 and
generally described as the area west of the Atlantic Ocean, South of the Nassau
County line, and east of Cedar Point Road.
This provision shall specifically supersede any other provisions in
Chapter 656.
Section 3. Adopting Overlay
Map and providing for publication. The Council hereby adopts the Black
Hammock Island Overlay as depicted in Exhibit
1 attached hereto and directs the Planning and Development Department to
publish the Black Hammock Island Overlay map on the City of Jacksonville
Website with a copy of this Ordinance, as enacted.
Section
4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective upon
signature by the Mayor or upon becoming effective without the Mayor's
signature.
Form Approved:
Office of
General Counsel
G:\SHARED\LEGIS.CC\2014\Ord\Holt
Black Hammock Overlay.doc
The city zoning ordinances dictate the broader parameters of development on the island, a very unique community within a metropolitan city's limits:
The waterfront land in the northeast corner of
Jacksonville offers spectacular views of adjoining Pumpkin Hill Creek marshes
and the scenic property of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve. The
Timucuan surrounds Black Hammock Island with some of Florida's most sensitive
and prized public preservation and parks land.
The project alarms the National Park Service and
various environmental groups. They fear allowing the homes—no matter how pricey
or attractive they might be—would disrupt or threaten pristine surroundings
secured by millions in tax dollars for the public's benefit. (“Black Hammock…”)
The expansion of 140 homes into land abutting managed wildlife
areas—including properties operated by the National Park Service, the City of
Jacksonville, and the State of Florida—would have adverse effects on public
recreation and local wildlife, which rely on the wetlands of the region for
their very existence. It would also be an affront to a way of life, to a place
where multi-generational families have lived together for decades in a bucolic
agricultural community (Soergel).
The Northeast Florida chapter of the Sierra Club has, in recent years, worked to coordinate efforts to maintain the integrity of the community and to keep the current policies that restrict widespread development on the land.
The Northeast Florida chapter of the Sierra Club has, in recent years, worked to coordinate efforts to maintain the integrity of the community and to keep the current policies that restrict widespread development on the land.
