Jax Beach residents fight proposal for taller building

Some Jacksonville Beach residents are up in arms over a proposed development (south of the beachfront Latham Plaza park) of a mixed-use building up to 55 feet tall.

Currently, the beach town limits buildings to 35 feet, after voters passed a height restriction in 2004. Only voter approval can remove that restriction.

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Among the speakers against allowing taller buildings on the city-owned property at this week’s Jax Beach City Council meeting was Barbara McCune:

“I have to agree with some of the earlier speakers that you can’t piecemeal,” McCune said. “This has to be a bigger vision; a really full development plan. You’ve got a good basic charter, you need a better master plan.”

A second (and final) public hearing on the issue will be held at 6 p.m. March 20. If the council approves, a voter referendum will be included on the May 16 ballot.