Pickleball Facility to Serve Alcohol in Jacksonville: In a contentious decision, the Jacksonville Planning Commission voted to allow a proposed pickleball facility near Anchor Academy Elementary School to serve alcohol, despite strong opposition from Duval County Public Schools (DCPS).
The Vote and Its Implications
On a narrow 4-1 vote, the commission approved the waiver for the property located at 2989 Mayport Road, which borders the school’s grounds at 555 Wonderwood Drive. Commissioner Amy Fu cast the lone dissenting vote, while four members were absent. The waiver is aimed at circumventing a regulation that mandates a minimum distance of 500 feet between establishments with a liquor license and schools or churches.
While technically approved to operate at zero feet from the school, an aerial examination reveals that the pickleball facility is buffered by a dense wooded area that spans the size of the school campus itself. This geographical distinction led some commissioners to view the project as a thoughtfully planned site.
Concerns from Duval County Public Schools
DCPS Superintendent Christopher Bernier expressed the district’s concerns in an email to Commission Chair Michael McGowan on October 17. In his correspondence, Bernier urged the commission to uphold the 500-foot requirement and reject the waiver. Randy Gallup, a representative for the school district at the commission meeting, remarked that he could not recall a previous superintendent communicating such a strong stance.
Attorney Cyndy Trimmer, representing the property owner, defended the plan, explaining that the pickleball facility intends to feature alcohol sales in an on-site restaurant and pro shop area. She pointed to the popular chain Chicken N Pickle as a model, noting their integration of entertainment and dining at similar establishments.
Mitigating Measures Proposed
To address safety concerns, Trimmer stated that an 8-foot fence—2 feet higher than the required minimum—would be erected along the northeast border adjacent to the school. She assured commissioners that existing trees in that area would remain untouched. Additionally, the commission mandated that the property owner maintain both the fence and a 10-foot landscaping barrier to further enhance separation between the pickleball facility and the school.
Zoned as Commercial Community/General-2, the property is eligible for beer and wine sales. According to the Planning and Development Department’s report, access to the facility will be exclusively from Mayport Road, avoiding the residential area on Wonderwood Drive.
Local Opposition Voices Concerns
Local resident Ted Corley expressed his frustration during the meeting, urging commissioners to “draw a line and stop the encroachment on protected areas around our schools.” He referred to a previous decision that allowed the opening of Thee Officers Club, a strip club at 657 Wonderwood Drive, which he believes was a poor choice in community planning.
Corley elaborated on his concerns, saying, “I doubt many parents driving by the club tell their daughters, ‘This is where I want you to be when you grow up, because that’s where the girls are.'”
In a significant moment, Gallup informed the commissioners that Anchor Academy was one of the DCPS schools being considered for closure under a five-year plan approved by the school board, citing its current enrollment of 288 students, far below its capacity of 658.
Commissioner McGowan acknowledged the seriousness of reducing the buffer zone to zero, clarifying that the actual distance from the facility’s entrance to the school is about 1,200 feet. He pointed out the effectiveness of the fence, trees, and a retention pond in separating the two properties, remarking, “It appears to be a well-designed site plan.”
The Final Decision
Ultimately, Fu cited the district’s opposition as a key reason for her dissenting vote. The other commissioners who supported the waiver included McGowan, Vice Chair Tina Meskel, Secretary Mone Holder, and Garrison. With this vote, McGowan confirmed that the commission’s decision represents the final action on the waiver.
The property owner is identified on city documents as 2995 Mayport Road LLC, with Bartley Snow listed as a registered agent and authorized member of the LLC.
Other Business at the Meeting
In additional matters, the commission unanimously approved a land use amendment (Ordinance 2024-0759) and a rezoning request (Ordinance 2024-0760) to facilitate the construction of 64 townhomes on 5.24 acres located at 3707 Newcomb Road, southwest of Jacksonville International Airport. The land use amendment transitions from Rural Residential to Medium Density Residential, while the rezoning changes from Residential Rural-Acre to Residential Medium Density-A. This development is situated near a mix of single-family homes, campgrounds, and vacant land, approximately a quarter mile northwest of the Lem Turner Road and Interstate 295 interchange. The commission’s decision propels these ordinances to the Council Land Use and Zoning Committee for further consideration.
News in Brief :Pickleball Facility to Serve Alcohol in Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Planning Commission approved a waiver allowing alcohol sales at a new pickleball facility near Anchor Academy Elementary School, despite opposition from Duval County Public Schools. The decision was made with a 4-1 vote, reducing the required distance from 500 feet to zero. Concerns were raised about the facility’s proximity to the school, especially following a history of exceptions like the nearby strip club. Additional business included approvals for the development of 64 townhomes near Jacksonville International Airport.
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