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Gainesville commissioners bring back single-family zoning

Homes in the Pleasant Street have a rich history. The area is known for being the first African American neighborhood in Gainesville to receive the state designation of a historic neighborhood. (Anna Harrell/WUFT News)
Homes in the Pleasant Street have a rich history. The area is known for being the first African American neighborhood in Gainesville to receive the state designation of a historic neighborhood. (Anna Harrell/WUFT News)

The City of Gainesville has gone back to Exclusionary Zoning.

The move by city commissioners, on a four to three vote, does away with the short-lived policy of allowing multi-family housing anywhere in the city. That was just put in place last October by a previous city commission. The effort to reverse course began earlier this year after many residents in single-family zoning districts pushed back on the change.

Commissioner Casey Willits voted against going back to Exclusionary Zoning. He said it does not help increase the supply of much needed affordable housing in the city, which could fit next to single-family homes.

“Two, two-bedroom duplexes – those duplexes are something that small families, single parents, started families, or retirees – that’s something that’s possibly attainable for them,” Willits said.

Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker voted with the majority, in part, to prevent gentrification of neighborhoods. She said she is glad the city is hitting reset on this issue.

“How do we meaningfully – meaningfully – protect, preserve, and revitalize historically black and historic other communities? How do we really do it?” Duncan-Walker asked. “Because we talk a lot about it.”

Commissioners will begin discussions with the City Plan Board on how to proceed with housing in Gainesville.

Mike is a multimedia content producer for WUFT News and can be reached by calling 352-273-2274 or emailing mloizzo@ufl.edu.
Mike is a multimedia content producer for WUFT News and can be reached by calling 352-273-2274 or emailing mloizzo@ufl.edu.