GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The City Council has taken the first steps to allow the Rookery to modify its plans to build 2,100 single- and multi-family homes on 559.9 acres, converting up to 210 single-family homes into duplexes.
Originally proposed for 2021, development is underway south of Green Cove Avenue, east of County Road 15A and west of U.S. Highway 17.
After nearly 90 minutes of wrangling over details, the council passed on first reading, by a vote of 4-1, the amendment to the planned housing development ordinance regarding percentages, types and design criteria of proposed housing units. Council member Ed Gaw voted against the amendment.
The second and final reading is scheduled for the Council meeting on September 3.
The council also approved, by a vote of 5-0, the first reading of an ordinance that would change the zoning of 24.22 acres of property in the 4000 block of U.S. 17 from mixed use highway to general commercial, with plans to build a grocery store and shopping center at the entrance to the Rookery.
In other business, the Council also decided to move its meetings to 6 p.m. from October.
It also joined the Northeast Florida League of Cities and presented checks for $250 to Boy Scout Troop 577 and Friends of the Augusta Savage Arts and Community Center.
The council will spend the rest of the month working on the budget and will next meet on September 3.
