Mandarin neighbors work to save ‘historic’ home, prevent 55 homes from being built on the property

Jacksonville, FL — Neighbors are trying to save what they call a historic home in Mandarin.

The southern plantation-style house on Loretto Road was built in 1913. According to the Duval County Property Appraiser, the property includes 25 acres of land.

The son of the couple who lived there said his parents recently passed away, and now the home is vacant. He is planning to sell the property and has reached an agreement with a local developer, Hart Resources LLC.

The company’s owner, Curtis Hart, submitted a rezoning application to the City of Jacksonville. Hart told Action News Jax he plans to build 55 single-family homes on this property, if the application is approved.

Neighbors created a petition to try and stop the rezoning. Jessica Tracy, a neighbor of the area for several years, said this house hold historical value for neighbors, and a large development would create hazardous traffic and overcrowding of schools.

“It’s sad because there’s a lot of other properties that have been torn down and this is one of the last ones,” Tracy said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the petition has more than 6,500 signatures.

Action News Jax Elizabeth Pace spoke to the owner of the property and Hart. The owner declined to comment.

Over the phone, Hart said is currently reviewing potential changes with the development, including keeping the white house as a park. He said he will not move forward with the development until they have reached an agreement with neighbors.