Florida voters pass Amendment 3, St. Johns County pauses data center approvals, and a Houston company brings bus bar production to North Jacksonville

Florida voters approve Amendment 3 to raise the homestead exemptionWith 99% of ballots counted, 62% of voters approved Amendment 3 on Nov. 3, and the Associated Press called it at 9:46 p.m. The amendment raises the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in fiscal year 2028 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2029. It also limits yearly assessed value increases for nonhomestead property to 5%, down from 10%, and directs lawmakers to eventually eliminate homestead property taxes. The Florida Association of Counties projects fiscal year 2029 reductions in nonschool property tax revenue of $303.04 million in Duval County, $109.38 million in St. Johns County and $60.9 million in Clay County. Support was 57% in Duval, 65% in St. Johns and Clay, and 74% in Nassau at 9:45 p.m. Jacksonville City Council members are expected to vote Nov. 10 on up to $49.66 million in incentives for a Publix anchored development in Gateway Jax’s Pearl Square. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

St. Johns County approves a data center moratoriumCounty commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 3 to pause the acceptance, processing and approval of development applications for medium scale and large scale data centers. The moratorium takes effect Nov. 15 and expires Oct. 31, 2027, unless the county adopts permanent rules or repeals it sooner. County staff will study electricity demand, water use, cooling systems, infrastructure needs and environmental impacts, and review a state study due in July 2027. Deputy County Attorney Kealey West said state law lets the county set a temporary moratorium but not a permanent ban. Nassau County approved its own moratorium June 8. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

Houston company plans bus bar production at Eastport ExchangeS+S Industries, which makes plated bus bars for data centers and other industries, intends to open a facility at 10175 Inlight Way in North Jacksonville. The city is reviewing a build out permit for an estimated $231,171 project in 55,080 square feet of Building 400. Trevor Berecz of developer InLight Real Estate Partners said the company will start operations by year end, storing, distributing and doing some light production of copper, busbar and other electrical components. S+S said it was not ready to make a public announcement. Cerberus Capital Management completed an investment in the company June 4. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

LoveShackFancy plans a St. Johns Town Center storeThe New York based fashion and lifestyle brand intends to open in the former Psycho Bunny space at 4813 River City Drive, Unit 113, between Alo Yoga and Boss. The city is reviewing a permit for David Nice Builders to renovate the 1,806 square foot space at an estimated cost of $460,424. The company lists four Florida locations, in Coconut Grove, Palm Beach, Tampa and one opening Dec. 18 in Naples. Jacksonville is not on its locator list yet. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

Pita Mediterranean Street Food opens in Neptune BeachThe Atlanta based fast casual chain opened its first Duval County restaurant Nov. 3 at 630 Atlantic Blvd., Suite 14, in the Publix shopping center. A grand opening runs 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 6, with one free gyro, chicken gyro or falafel with fries or rice per customer and no purchase necessary. The 1,100 square foot space has 18 interior seats and four patio chairs. Founder and CEO Nour Rabai said it is the chain’s 60th location and the goal is 100. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

Habit Burger & Grill holds its River City Marketplace grand opening todayThe restaurant at 15088 Max Leggett Parkway, the brand’s third in Jacksonville, hosts its grand opening from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 4 after a soft launch Sept. 21. The first 100 guests get a Habit tote filled with free items, and the first 500 get a Flavor Passport for three free future visits. A ribbon cutting with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce is set for 1:30 p.m. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

Surfside Apartments in Jacksonville Beach sell for $19 millionSurfside Jax Beach LLC, whose manager is private equity fund KABR, bought the 62 unit, three building community from Oso Capital through Eckstein Investments LLC on Oct. 20, according to a deed recorded Oct. 23. Cushman & Wakefield, which represented the seller, called it a record shattering price that set new benchmarks for price per unit and cap rate in the Jacksonville market. The deal drew 23 property tours, 15 offers and four best and final offers. The buildings were built in 2014 and 2015 less than two blocks from the ocean. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026

NEFAR CEO Glenn East plans to retire in early 2027William Glenn East, who became CEO of what was then the Jacksonville Association of Realtors in July 1993, plans to step away in the first quarter of 2027, according to a Nov. 3 news release. The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, formed through a 1996 merger of four local associations, now represents more than 11,000 members. NEFAR said it is working with an executive search team on a national search for its next CEO, and East will support the transition. Source: Jax Daily Record, Nov. 3, 2026