Controversial Avondale project clears council committee hurdle

A Jacksonville City Council panel approved a scaled-back plan Thursday night to redevelop a landmark apartment building and business area in Avondale.

The vote sets the stage for final council action next week on plans to rebuild St. Johns Village Center by Fishweir Creek.

While notably smaller than developer Chase Properties once proposed, even residents who supported the plan still voiced reservations.

Its still going to be a big building, Riverside-Avondale Preservation chairman Jonathan Oliff told the council Land Use and Zoning Committee about the main building that would replace the 60-year-old Commander Apartments along St. Johns Avenue.

Chase had initially filed plans for a 339-unit apartment building, though company owner Mike Balanky said from the beginning he expected a smaller project.

The rezoning bill (2013-342) approved Thursday called for construction of 250 apartments, along with retail area and restaurant space seating up to 200 customers.

A marina and boat slips once planned had been scrapped, leaving just a kayak launch.

That wasnt good enough to ease some worries.

It would change the essential character of the surrounding neighborhood, argued Jack Swiadek, who was president of the Fishweir Neighborhood Association until Dec. 31.

Balanky told Councilman Jim Love, whose district includes the area, that he couldnt shrink the apartment totals any further. He said that talks with neighborhood groups, while stretched over months, had made the overall project better.

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Controversial Avondale project clears council committee hurdle