Jacksonville Beach, District 2
Community Newsletter
October 2019
Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors!
It's October! You can now bring your dogs to the beach during the day... just remember to have them on their leash.

Jax Beach Updates
FY 2020 Jax Beach Budget
Jacksonville Beach passed its 2020 budget. It maintains the current millage rate of $3.9947 per $1,000 of assessed value. This is 18.8% lower than the state average. Our 2020 Fiscal Year started on Oct. 1.

Bulk Power Cost Adjustment
During the month of October 2019, customers will not be billed a bulk power cost adjustment fee. For all kilowatt-hours billed on and after November 1, 2019, the bulk power cost adjustment will be decreased from 2.484 cents per kilowatt hour to 2.184 cents per kilowatt hour. The decrease is due to the decrease in power cost rates billed to us from the Florida Municipal Power Agency. This change will decrease the kilowatt-hour cost of power for our customers.

Amber Turtle Lighting
Beaches Energy installed an amber light fixture at the 1 st Avenue South end-zone. This light will serve as a pilot test for amber lighting in areas close to the beach. Beaches Energy will be monitoring the light for durability, while the Police Department will be determining whether the wavelength and clarity of this light is effective for policing efforts. If acceptable, this fixture may be used in multiple locations identified in the assessment of light spillage onto the beach.

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
904.486.6865

Happy Fall!
October Events
10/2 7:00 pm Beaches Watch , Beaches Library. Speaker: Council member Rory Diamond, District 13

10/5 & 10/6 WaveMasters Surf Contest , Jax Beach Pier



10/12 & 10/13 noon-10:00 pm Beaches Oktobertfest Seawalk Pavilion


10/19 10:00 am - 2:00 pm International Archaeology Day , Beaches Museum

10/26 & 10/27 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Sea and Sky Spectacular, Downtown Jax Beach

10/31 Halloween

Click here for more information and events.
October City Council Briefings
Earlier this year, City Council members discussed different issues that we as a body should be focusing on in order to best position the City for the future. A lot has been changing in Jax Beach, and we want to make sure we are all moving forward together. First, we need to rank order the priorities we already agreed on in June:
  • A Vision and Strategy for Jacksonville Beach
  • A review of the City Charter
  • Assess the current LDC (Land Development Code)
  • Future direction for the CBD (Central Business District). Possibly engaging the ULI (Urban Land Institute).
  • Initiate a Citizens’ Academy

We will also be discussing drafts of a City traffic management policy (the process through which traffic issues are addressed) as well as a c ode of ethics for elected and appointed officials. These discussions will take place at the October Council Briefings. They will be held prior to the City Council meetings on October 7th and 21st at 5:30pm. Both meetings are open to the public, though there is no public comment.

If you would like to have input in any of the issues above or have a ranking preference, please let me know prior to the meeting and I will make sure it is discussed.
City officials from all three Beach cities worked together to prepare for Hurricane Dorian, along with a representative from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to ensure that had it hit, we would have been prepared through the coordination of services. Hurricane season runs through November 30.
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Short Term Rentals in Jax Beach
On September 16, City Council approved Jax Beach's Short Term Rental Ordinance . Some highlights are:
  • Maximum occupancy is 2 people per bedroom plus 2
  • Bedrooms are defined by State standards
  • Children under 24 months old are not included in the occupancy count
  • Short term rentals must be registered with the City
  • There must be 1 parking spot for every 4 occupants
  • Non-conforming lots are grandfathered in for 2 parking spots per unit

Short Term Rental Registration takes effect on November 1.
Here is a link to learn more about the new process and forms , the approved fee structure , and what you will need to do if you own a short term rental property.
Jax Beach Pier
Good news! There has been some movement on completing the repairs to the pier. The pier was first damaged in 2016 by Hurricane Michael, and then damaged further by Hurricane Irma. In 2018, the first 635 feet of the pier was open to the public.
Here is what we know about completing the repairs to the pier:

-     Construction will begin in November of 2019 and is expected to be completed by November 2021.
-      The project will cost $9.88 million. The cost is broken down to 75% federal government; 25% split between Jacksonville and the State.
-      The reconstructed pier will be the same length as the original pier (1,300 feet), but will be 8 feet higher at the end.

Jacksonville will maintain ownership of the Pier, but Jacksonville Beach is looking at taking over its management.

More information can be found here.
Downtown Jax Beach
The following properties/projects are new large-scale developments in downtown Jacksonville Beach. The latest addition is 221 Surfside , a mixed use development to the property just north of the Seawalk Pavilion. Proposed uses include a restaurant, office space, a boutique hotel, and retail.

221 Surfside (formerly Sydney's and Buckets, just north of the Pavilion)
Rooms: 17
Height: 2 stories
~Construction has started~


 SpringHill Suites (Current location of the Pier Cantina restaurant)
Rooms: 136
Height: 56' (5 stories)

~Buildings over 35' (3 stories) were grandfathered in~
Element Hotel (southeast corner of Beach Blvd. and 3rd Street)
Rooms: 80
Height: 35' (3 stories)
~Construction has started~
Margaritaville Hotel (oceanfront lot north of Casa Marina)
Rooms: 202
Height: 89' (eight stories)
~Construction has started~
Dolphin Depot (across 1st St from Margaritaville)
Rooms: 57 hotel rooms, 54 apartments
Height: 68' (6 stories)
Together, we will make a difference.
Let's continue to work together to ensure that Jacksonville Beach remains one of the greatest places to call home! Reach out if you have any questions or concerns about what is happening in your neighborhood or City.
Cell phone: 904.486.6865