JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Chick-fil-A being built so close to homes might sound like a dream come true for some, but for those who live in the North Creek subdivision, it’s their worst nightmare.
Adam Shaw, a resident said it’s not specifically one restaurant that they’re against.
“It’s the rezoning that we’re really against and the main point of that is using our entrance of our subdivision for the entrance to get to the entrance of the Chick-fil-A. That’s the primary concern,” Shaw said.
Saturday, some residents participated in a simulation to show what traffic would look like if the Chick-fil-A was built. In the simulation, a car would drive past where the entrance would be every 25 seconds. It caused frustration for those who didn’t participate in the simulation or were unaware of what was happening.
Alan Terry, whose house is closest to where the Chick-fil-A would be, said the traffic blocked the front entrance of the neighborhood and spilled out onto Duval Station Road.
“There were some upset people doing some sign language and some verbal attacks,” Shaw said.
Shaw said it took about five minutes of doing that simulation before traffic started backing up to Lady Lake Road.
“You have frustrated individuals trying to go home, trying to get gas, trying to go get groceries, and this one little street is trying to accommodate all of that, and I think the mock demonstration showed it doesn’t make sense to be inside the subdivision trying to do that,” Shaw said.
News4JAX wanted to see how far the location is from River City Marketplace. Developers said, that if this Chick-fil-A is built, it would alleviate some of the traffic to River City Marketplace.
According to GPS, it’s about eight minutes and about two and a half miles away from that location.
News4JAX went further into the subdivision on Bradley Cove Road and stopped by 15 homes to see what those residents had to say. Five that answered were against it. One was in favor but didn’t want to talk on camera. One was indifferent and also didn’t want to go on camera and eight weren’t home.
Terry said there were a couple of close calls on Saturday during the simulation when people tried to get around traffic. He fears that would be a daily reality if the rezoning is approved.
“It would be horrifying,” Terry said. “We’re just hoping we can get some more councilmen to come out. I think it would be a good idea to do another mock while the councilmen are here so they can see it.”
Rolanda Colbert, a resident, said she believes the land would be best used for a small business.
“I would definitely propose if they were to think of maybe a small retailer, an up and coming store, or a new business, but nothing as big as a Chick-fil-A,” Colbert said.
Terry said he was thinking about smaller businesses that would bring less traffic too.
“I’m thinking like a dry cleaners, a JSO hub, or something like that. Anything with long lines, I don’t think this is the place for it,” Terry said.
The next public hearing for the legislation for this rezoning will happen on Wednesday night during the Land Use and Zoning meeting.
The LUZ can decide to vote on it that night or continue it to another date if the LUZ does take action it will be voted on at the following council meeting on Feb. 27.