Our neighborhood, nestled right next to the proposed site for the new SportsJax Soccer Stadium near St Johns Town Center, is facing the prospect of serious quality of life disruptions. This project, planned to attract big crowds and stir excitement, comes with inevitable side effects: noise, light, and traffic pollution. These disturbances would be a direct hit to our community's peace and serenity, creating stress and health concerns for residents whose lives are closely intertwined with this locale.

Constructing a stadium in close proximity to homes and commercial stores will not only affect residents but will also impact local businesses, shoppers, and visitors looking for a peaceful experience at St Johns Town Center. Increased traffic congestion could deter potential customers, and the noise and lights from the stadium events may disrupt business operations and the shopping experience. Many of us chose to live in this area for its quiet and family-friendly environment, not for the disruptions we now foresee with this development.

Stadiums can be a great asset to a community when placed in right locations; however, the current proposed site simply doesn't fit. We urge the city planners and stakeholders to consider alternative locations that will not impose on residential life and commerce. We suggest areas further from residential dwellings where access roads can efficiently handle increased traffic without burdening local neighborhoods or occupation.

Research shows stadiums often lead to significant increases in local traffic and noise levels, impacting health and wellbeing. In fact, a large-scale event can see traffic increase by 30%, with noise levels often exceeding WHO recommended limits. Redirecting the site could mitigate these impacts, preserving the community's quality of life while still allowing the stadium to flourish in a more suitable area.

We ask the city authorities, developers, and SportsJax management to listen to the voices of the residents who will be impacted by this decision. We request that they conduct a revised planning review and environmental impact assessment, considering community feedback and local ecosystem balance.

Together, let's protect our neighborhood's tranquility and make the sensible decision to relocate the stadium. Please join us in making a stand for our community by signing this petition.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP: 

**PLEASE NOTE: This project is in the very early stages but we do not want it to move forward. Currently, it truly has NO application in the city's planning department and does NOT have an ordinance number yet. We are trying to be pro-active and stop it before it moves forward in the process. Therefore, please: 

--WRITE to two sponsors of this project: Tim Tebow at The Tim Tebow Foundation, PO Box 1335, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004 and Mr. Andrew Cathy, CEO Chick-Fil-A, 5200 Bluffington Road Atlanta, Georgia   30349 

--CONTACT Kevin Carrico, District 4 city council at 904.255.5162 or email him at KCarrico@coj.net  to let him know how you feel about this encroachment.

--CONTACT the Land Use and Zoning (LUZ) Committee members and let them know what you feel about this encroachment. Members and contact info:

Joe Carlucci – Chair  -- Phone: (904) 255-5205 Email: JoeCarlucci@coj.net

Rory Diamond- Vice Chair-- Phone: (904) 255-5213 Email: RDiamond@coj.net

Terrance Freeman-- Phone: (904) 255-5215  Email: TFreeman@coj.net
Randy White-- Phone: (904) 255-5212  Email: RandyWhite@coj.net
Raul Arias-- Phone: (904) 255-5211  Email: AriasR@coj.net
Reggie Gaffney, Jr.-- Phone: (904) 255-5208  Email: RGaffneyJr@coj.net
Rahman Johnson-- Phone: (904) 255-5214  Email: Rahman@coj.net

--CONTACT the Planning Commission and let them know how you feel about this encroachment and abuse of the LUZ code. You can email them all directly using this link and then scrolling down to the area that says “Email the Commissioners”  https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/planning-department/current-planning-division/planning-commission  

Individual emails:

Hall, Sean  no email given
 
Marar, Ali    alimarar@yahoo.com 
 
McGowan, Michael (Vice Chair)  commissionermcgowan@gmail.com 
 
Garrison, Joshua   joshua@pcgarrison.com 
 
Holder, Mone` (Chair) mholderjaxpc@gmail.com 
 
Carter, Lamonte W. (Secretary)  lcarter@thecarterfirmpllc.com 
 
Fu, Amy  afu.planning@gmail.com 
 
Repass, D.R.  dr@repasspa.com 
 
Gillette, Dorothy  Gtrmom00@aol.com 
 
 Aides: EAbney@coj.net   PSales@coj.net   KSusan@coj.net