JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tensions were high at a community meeting for the ongoing battle between the city and Oceanway residents who oppose a Chick-fil-A moving into their neighborhood.
Councilman Reggie Gaffney Jr. hosted the Monday night meeting to discuss the finalized version of a traffic study for the proposed property that would use the front entrance of the North Creek subdivision as an access road for the popular restaurant.
“Right now, the city is recommending that Chick-fil-A build a traffic light, add a third lane, and also a crosspath between First Coast and the high school. So right now the traffic study is under consideration,” Gaffney said.
Neighbors are concerned that if the rezoning is approved, there will be an increase in traffic.
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Tracey Terry’s home is the closest to the property where the Chick-fil-A would be built. She showed News4JAX a video of a driver running a stop sign on May 4. That driver crashed into another car and the other car’s driver had to go to the hospital.
“It’s definitely going to be more of those types of accidents. And I’ve sent emails, I’ve sent the videos to the councilman. Because this is our everyday life. I’m a witness. I’m an expert witness, per se. I live right there. I see it every day. They do this all the time,” Terry said.
We asked Gaffney if he’d shared the neighbors’ concerns with Chick-fil-A officials.
“The community is very passionate; they care. One lady stated tonight that her home value went down $37,000 because of this Chick-fil-A. I would be upset too. I would be frustrated as well. So they have every right to be upset,” Gaffney said. “I have not heard from Chick-fil-A. I plan on reaching out to them in the next few weeks to see if they do have a change of heart or change your plans to move to a different location.”
Terry said following the meeting, she was putting what happened next in God’s hands.
“I’m just gonna pray about it and see what happens,” she said.
Gaffney reminded the residents to “stay encouraged” as they continue their fight against the proposed restaurant.
“Stay strong, continue to reach out to me, my colleagues and voice your concerns. It’s not over yet,” he said.
News4JAX tried to talk to Chick-fil-A’s lawyer, Tom Ingram, but he said he had no comment.
The Land Use and Zoning Committee will vote on the rezoning on June 4. Then, City Council will have a final vote on June 11.