Chick-fil-A has been approved for this site along Lady Lake Road west of Duval Station Centre. | Jacksonville Daily Record
Published on June 12, 2024 at 11:10 am
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The Jacksonville City Council approved a rezoning Tuesday that allows a Chick-fil-A restaurant to be built at the entrance to an Oceanway neighborhood despite continued opposition from neighbors concerned about traffic in their community. Â
The council’s 12-7 vote follows last week’s recommendation of approval by its Land Use and Zoning Committee, allowing the fast-food spot on Bradley Cove Road and Lady Lake Road, next to the North Creek subdivision on Duval Station Road.
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For months, neighbors have said the Chick-fil-A will add heavy traffic. They even set up a mock traffic backup along Duval Station Road to show what would happen to the area across from First Coast High School. During Tuesday night’s meeting, City Council member Reggie Gaffney Jr. stated his disappointment that the residents’ concerns weren’t heard, as reported by Jacksonville Today news partner News4Jax.Â
“I think we are doing the community a disservice if we allow Chick-fil-A to go North Creek tonight,” said Gaffney, whose district includes the restaurant site. “Chick-Fil-A, which I thought, and I hate to say this, was the epitome of customer service, hasn’t really worked with the community. It’s been disheartening at times. It’s been very disheartening.”
The current plan calls for the restaurant’s entrance and exit points to be placed on the two-lane Lady Lake Road. Chick-fil-A would pay for a new traffic light at Bradley Cove and Duval Station roads, and the city is requiring a right-turn lane into the restaurant.Â
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A traffic study of the area done by the fast-food chain said the more than 1,000 trips generated by a Chick-fil-A would have a nominal effect. Tom Ingram, an attorney representing the project developer, said something would be built on that land even if City Council rejected the proposal for Chick-fil-A.
