Jacksonville City Council approved the rezoning of a 0.25-acre parcel located at 1043 Walnut Street, between 1st Street East and Phelps Street, from Planned Unit Development (PUD) to Residential Medium Density-C (RMD-C). The previous PUD allowed for a commercial convenience store on the ground floor and five apartment units above, but the historic structure was demolished in 2023. The rezoning aligns the property with surrounding zoning and supports redevelopment with medium-density residential housing. Located within the Springfield Historic District, any new development on site will be subject to design review and approval through the Historic Preservation Section. The Planning Department determined that the change furthers the city's 2045 Comprehensive Plan goals by enabling infill development in a historically residential urban area.
This rezoning simplifies the development process and aligns with Jacksonville’s urban core housing goals. It enables appropriate residential infill while preserving the character of the Springfield Historic District.