Post by Chuck McCue on Mar 21, 2023 7:34:07 GMT -5
Protect the Beach Life
"Protect the Beach Life is a 527 nonprofit political committee. Donations are not tax-deductible."
About Us
Protect the Beach Life formed because our elected officials are not listening to us – the voters. Our mission is to make sure that residents understand what is happening and to let them know how they can be involved to make sure Jax Beach keeps its beachy feel. This includes making sure that residents are a part of any changes to the height limit and the Land Development Code to ensure all future development aligns with the City’s vision of “A vibrant, coastal community that embraces ‘the beach life’.”
Currently, there are members on the Council who want to see the 35′ height limit, which was passed by the voters in 2004, changed to 55′. Protect the Beach Life is not opposed to discussing if the current height limit is problematic, and if it is, identify possible solutions. However, the current Council has decided the height limit is why development and improvements have been slow downtown. However, new, desirable businesses are being constructed and are opening downtown.
Please join us to defeat this Charter change by voting NO on May 16, 2023.
There are more ways you can make sure we keep our Beach Life. You can:
Learn why the height limit does not need to change
Volunteer your time
Write a Letter to the Editor...
Host a neighborhood meeting
Invest in the future of our community
We only have a short amount of time to ensure residents know what is happening to let the Council know that they want to be heard. Join us.
Jacksonville Beach’s Vision Statement is “A vibrant coastal community that embraces ‘the beach life’.” However, our beach life is being threatened by over-development that is changing the nature of neighborhoods and our City. Protect the Beach Life was formed to ensure that our elected officials engage residents when making decisions today that impact what Jacksonville Beach will be like in the future.
Residents provided feedback when the City was engaged in strategic planning, but our elected officials seem to have stopped listening since then. They have taken our feedback, specifically our desire to have an active downtown, to justify a push to change the height limit in that area – which was never mentioned by the residents. There are other options, but they have refused to listen.
Protect the Beach Life‘s mission is to make sure elected officials engage residents in shaping ‘the beach life’ in Jax Beach. That includes residents’ involvement in updating the Land Development Code (LDC) and deciding on how we want our downtown to look and feel. We believe that there is a middle ground where agreements can be made to address the concerns of both developers and residents. Currently, residents are being left out.
We urge you to VOTE NO to increasing the height limit for a single property on the May 16, 2023 ballot to send a message to Council that they need to start listing to the residents.
know when these meetings are and explaining the importance of the topic. While Council has held public workshops, the information too often seems to stay in the workshop and does not move forward with regard to impacting policies.
How can I make sure I am informed of these meetings and workshops? How can I receive updates?
You can register for Protect the Beach Life’s email list. Updates will only be sent out as often as needed to avoid cluttering your inbox. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
How can I be involved?
We realize that most people are busy with life: family obligations, running around to sports practices and after-school activities, and work, to name just a few. Because of this, we want to make your involvement as easy as possible. If you can, you can volunteer your time to wave signs and knock on doors (among other things). For those who don’t have the time, you can always make a contribution in any amount to help us keep residents informed. Finally, and perhaps most important, please talk to your friends and neighbors about what is happening when at gatherings or sporting events. Share Protect the Beach Life‘s information. We need to be all-in to make sure residents’ voices are not only heard but also acted on.
the future.
This proposed ordinance will come up for a second reading on March 20 and, if approved, will go on the ballot at the May 16 election. There’s little doubt that the council will approve this and the paperwork to get it on the ballot is already submitted: “Shall the Jacksonville Beach Charter be amended to allow the redevelopment of a City-owned property bounded by 1st Street North, 2nd Street North, Latham Plaza, and 111 Beach Boulevard, exempting the property from the 35 feet height limit, to allow a maximum building height of 55 feet for a mixed-use redevelopment with a parking structure?”
Better be prepared to get out and vote NO on this on May 16.
KC Braun
Jacksonville Beach
"Protect the Beach Life is a 527 nonprofit political committee. Donations are not tax-deductible."
About Us
Protect the Beach Life formed because our elected officials are not listening to us – the voters. Our mission is to make sure that residents understand what is happening and to let them know how they can be involved to make sure Jax Beach keeps its beachy feel. This includes making sure that residents are a part of any changes to the height limit and the Land Development Code to ensure all future development aligns with the City’s vision of “A vibrant, coastal community that embraces ‘the beach life’.”
Currently, there are members on the Council who want to see the 35′ height limit, which was passed by the voters in 2004, changed to 55′. Protect the Beach Life is not opposed to discussing if the current height limit is problematic, and if it is, identify possible solutions. However, the current Council has decided the height limit is why development and improvements have been slow downtown. However, new, desirable businesses are being constructed and are opening downtown.
Please join us to defeat this Charter change by voting NO on May 16, 2023.
There are more ways you can make sure we keep our Beach Life. You can:
Learn why the height limit does not need to change
Volunteer your time
Write a Letter to the Editor...
Host a neighborhood meeting
Invest in the future of our community
We only have a short amount of time to ensure residents know what is happening to let the Council know that they want to be heard. Join us.
Jacksonville Beach’s Vision Statement is “A vibrant coastal community that embraces ‘the beach life’.” However, our beach life is being threatened by over-development that is changing the nature of neighborhoods and our City. Protect the Beach Life was formed to ensure that our elected officials engage residents when making decisions today that impact what Jacksonville Beach will be like in the future.
Residents provided feedback when the City was engaged in strategic planning, but our elected officials seem to have stopped listening since then. They have taken our feedback, specifically our desire to have an active downtown, to justify a push to change the height limit in that area – which was never mentioned by the residents. There are other options, but they have refused to listen.
Protect the Beach Life‘s mission is to make sure elected officials engage residents in shaping ‘the beach life’ in Jax Beach. That includes residents’ involvement in updating the Land Development Code (LDC) and deciding on how we want our downtown to look and feel. We believe that there is a middle ground where agreements can be made to address the concerns of both developers and residents. Currently, residents are being left out.
We urge you to VOTE NO to increasing the height limit for a single property on the May 16, 2023 ballot to send a message to Council that they need to start listing to the residents.
know when these meetings are and explaining the importance of the topic. While Council has held public workshops, the information too often seems to stay in the workshop and does not move forward with regard to impacting policies.
How can I make sure I am informed of these meetings and workshops? How can I receive updates?
You can register for Protect the Beach Life’s email list. Updates will only be sent out as often as needed to avoid cluttering your inbox. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
How can I be involved?
We realize that most people are busy with life: family obligations, running around to sports practices and after-school activities, and work, to name just a few. Because of this, we want to make your involvement as easy as possible. If you can, you can volunteer your time to wave signs and knock on doors (among other things). For those who don’t have the time, you can always make a contribution in any amount to help us keep residents informed. Finally, and perhaps most important, please talk to your friends and neighbors about what is happening when at gatherings or sporting events. Share Protect the Beach Life‘s information. We need to be all-in to make sure residents’ voices are not only heard but also acted on.
the future.
This proposed ordinance will come up for a second reading on March 20 and, if approved, will go on the ballot at the May 16 election. There’s little doubt that the council will approve this and the paperwork to get it on the ballot is already submitted: “Shall the Jacksonville Beach Charter be amended to allow the redevelopment of a City-owned property bounded by 1st Street North, 2nd Street North, Latham Plaza, and 111 Beach Boulevard, exempting the property from the 35 feet height limit, to allow a maximum building height of 55 feet for a mixed-use redevelopment with a parking structure?”
Better be prepared to get out and vote NO on this on May 16.
KC Braun
Jacksonville Beach
