A developer is aiming to convince the Jacksonville City Council to change the zoning of land on Winton Drive to accommodate 96 new apartment units, which conflicts with the current zoning for single-family homes and the preferences of long-established residents. Although the city’s planning department recently rejected the zoning amendment because of this, locals convened on Monday evening to discuss their reservations about the potential advancement of the project. 

“As constituents of district ten, we are unified in voicing our firm opposition to ordinances 2025-0242 and 2025-0243, which aim to rezone for the development of an apartment complex known as McMillan Apartments,” stated resident Clancy Brown during the gathering on Monday.

The development plan intends to transform a vacant piece of land into five acres designated for multi-family housing. The proposal outlines the construction of six buildings comprising 96 apartments. 

Residents living near the proposed McMillan Apartments express objections not merely due to opposition to new tenants or traffic concerns. Their primary worry revolves around environmental implications, specifically regarding the condition of the land beneath the surface. 

“We are unaware of what exists underground since there has been no environmental protection agency study conducted. There has been no investigation into what might be filtering into the system and contaminating our water table,” explained Brown. 

The community is apprehensive about the presence of p-fas or “forever chemicals,” which are known for their persistent nature in the environment and human body. Locals suspect the site may have been polluted due to historical waste disposal and its proximity to two cemeteries.

“See where the trees are at and where there’s no trees are at? That ought to tell somebody something? I mean, I haven’t been to no great universities but that’s common sense to me,” said longtime resident Reverend Aaron Flagg. 

Reverend Flagg has been living in this neighborhood since the 70s. His grandmother lived in the house before he purchased it. He says he remembers people dumping on the land the developer wants to use, so much so that he won’t even drink the tap water. Another neighbor, Jocelyn Glover says she’s been living in the neighborhood more than 60 years and remembers it too.

“When I moved over here, they dug a lot of dirt out,” said Glover. “That’s when they sucked out all the water and start dumping debris, all kind of debris, warehouse stuff, Coca-Cola products, Pepsi-Cola products, grocery store products, all that.” 

We did reach out to the developer for comment but have not heard back. The last chance for public comment on this development will be at the city council meeting on October 14th at 5pm.