BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA

PCM130106 Jackson Bluff/Ausley Rd.
3. Evaluation of the Applicant’s Reasons for the Request in the Context of the Plan and
Surrounding Area
The applicant is requesting the map change to allow for a higher density of multi-family
development, as well as much needed neighborhood scale commercial development at
Jackson Bluff/Ausley Road node. The four parcels are located within 1000 feet of the
intersection of Jackson Bluff and Ausley Road. Although this is a reasonable site for
neighborhood commercial redevelopment at this node, the current zoning and future land use
designation only allows for more medium density residential development. The proposed
amendment would allow smaller scale commercial intermixed with higher density housing.
The applicant notes that this combination increases chances for the success of retail, service,
food, and entertainment establishments that will serve the neighborhood as a whole.
Currently, the nearest grocery store is the Publix at Ocala Road and Tennessee Street, a mile
away on foot, and the closest restaurants are over a third-mile away from the node.
The proposed amendment is also within the Mobility District, which promotes the use of
alternative transportation. The Mobility District encourages mix uses, and well-designed
buildings and public places. The proposed amendment furthers the goals of the Mobility
District and the transportation strategies in the West Pensacola Sector Plan since it would
allow higher densities/intensities and mixed use development, a perquisite for successful
implementation of mass transit and other alternative modes of transportation.
4. Availability/impacts of Infrastructure
The subject parcels are centrally located in the City and are serviced by all the essential
urban services, and thus could support more intense development. The parcels have access
to water and sewer, sidewalks, transit, parks, cultural and recreational facilities.
Planning Summation
The Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan directs the sector planning of the
Southern Strategy area. The West Pensacola Sector Plan is a product of that directive. With
more than 15,000 residents in the Sector, the area is one of the most densely populated in our
community and because of its proximity to Tallahassee Community College and Florida
State University and its large student population; many in the community see the Sector as
part of a larger education quadrant. With these two institutions as primary destinations, the
sector has several significant corridors. These corridors in the Plan were recommended for
the highest density development as well as supporting retail and office uses. In addition,
Jackson Bluff, the roadway which all four subject parcels front, was to remain a
walkable/pedestrian friendly road with a mixture of housing types and uses with additional
development designed to be compatible with adjacent single family housing. The design
standards contained within the proposed UT zoning category would facilitate this since they
seek to provide aesthetic design and compatible transition between land uses and activities.
Page 297 of 622 Posted at 5:00 p.m. on April 1, 2013
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Attachment #7
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