The first of two votes that would eliminate exclusionary zoning citywide is set for Aug. 4
The Gainesville City Commission has set a date for its rescheduled hearing to decide whether to eliminate single-family zoning, a controversial topic that has neighborhoods up in arms about the possibility of duplexes popping up around town.
If passed, Gainesville would become the first municipality in Florida to adopt the citywide policy change.
The meeting is scheduled for Aug. 4 at City Hall at 5 p.m. The original vote was set to take place on July 5 but a publishing error from officials caused the meeting to be pushed back.
What to know: Debate over exclusionary zoning in Gainesville
The first: Gainesville could be first in Florida to end exclusionary zoning, but other examples exist
More: Controversial vote on exclusionary zoning postponed after error by Gainesville officials
The single-family zoning category, which makes up 63% of the city's residential lots, would become “neighborhood residential” and allow small-scale multi-family buildings.
The number of units that could be built on a lot would be optional and depend on the size of the land. To build a duplex, a property owner would only have to have a lot size of 0.16 of an acre.
To build a triplex, a property owner would need a third of an acre. A quadplex, or four-unit house, which would be more rarely seen, would require half an acre of land.
Residents opposed to the change say the zoning change could hurt property values and ruin the character of their neighborhood.
Four of seven commissions — Mayor Lauren Poe, commissioner Adrian-Hayes Santos, commissioner David Arreola, and commissioner Reina Saco — have indicated their support for the change.
Supporters say the change will generate more housing units and help ease the affordable housing problem over time, but don’t expect it to happen overnight.
Although some cities in Florida have adopted zoning changes to allow multi-family units in some select single-family neighborhoods, Gainesville would be the first city in Florida to eliminate exclusionary single-family zoning citywide, officials said.
If approved, the proposed future land plan change would have to go to the state Department of Community Affairs for approval. The commission would then need to approve the change on a second reading.
Supporters say the change will generate more housing units and help ease the affordable housing problem over time, but don’t expect it to happen overnight.
And they have said the change is an issue of fairness and equity, pointing out that that exclusionary single-family zoning had racist origins.
Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut seeks bigger venue for meeting
Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, who opposes the change, said she wants the meeting scheduled in at a larger venue due to City Hall's capacity.
A petition with more than 2,000 signatures of people opposed to eliminating exclusionary zoning is circulating.
Chestnut has scheduled her own public hearing to hear residents' views on the proposed land plan and zoning change on Aug. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p,m, at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church.
City officials will be on hand to answer questions.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville leaders set date to vote on eliminating exclusionary zoning
