5/25/22 @ 10:00 a.m. - Two employees of the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners have been selected for the News-Leader's inaugural 40 Under 40 class. In the today's paper, Scott J. Bryan, Editor for the News-Leader, and Amanda Ream, Publisher for the Nassau County Record, are quoted as stating, "We asked readers to nominate the county's community-driven young adults, whether rising entrepreneurs, educators, creators or motivators. We wanted to highlight the young adults who have a passion to achieve and leave a footprint on the local landscape. The decisions made now affect future generations, so we must envision a brighter, better tomorrow, which is the goal of many members of this first class".

The Board of County Commissioners is pleased to employ two of these young professionals. County Manager, Taco Pope, has served Nassau County in various capacities since December 2005. Firefighter/Lieutenant, Adam Bolger, has served Nassau County as a member of Nassau County Fire Rescue since June 2008.

We are proud of both and feel fortunate to have them representing the County. We would like to congratulate them, as well as all the other award recipients for their achievement. Thank you for leading the way and dedicating your talents to making our community a better place to live.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Board Receives Regional Award of Excellence for Newly Adopted State Road 200/A1A Corridor Master Plan

We are excited to report that the Board of County Commissioners has earned a 2021 Regional Award of Excellence from the Northeast Florida Regional Council for the State Road 200/A1A Corridor Plan. This plan was the result of a two-year planning initiative which consisted of online citizen surveys, interviews and community meetings in which stakeholders were asked to share their thoughts about the State Road 200/A1A Corridor.

This process revealed that county residents, young and old, share a desire for a safe, comfortable, and attractive corridor that connects them to the places they are seeking access to. They also desire more trees, sidewalk/bicycle paths, and social spaces such as parks and public markets. Nassau County recognizes that the current pattern of development along the SR200/A1A Corridor is not fiscally sustainable, nor does it represent the interests of the community. With the recent widening of SR200 to six lanes, its wide vehicle travel ways, unshaded sidewalks, and unprotected bike lanes, automobile transportation is prioritized. Nassau County’s goal is to establish nodes of compact, walkable areas along the corridor, linked by safe routes for bicycling and future transit, while creating a sense of place and historic identity. Five planning priorities identified include:

• Nurture Nature: Maintain, enhance, and extend the natural environment by creating opportunities for residents to access and enjoy Florida's unique natural areas.
• Grow Sustainably: Help stage vibrant shopping center and neighborhood growth through development that creates places for people, supports local businesses, and generates additional jobs, encourage active lifestyles, and comprises a mix of housing options.
• Connect Communities: Improve linkages between neighborhoods, shopping centers, and amenities through a network of slow, safe and livable primary and secondary streets, trails, bike paths, and pedestrian infrastructure.
  
• Catalyze Culture: Build on heritage while establishing new cultural assets that celebrate community creativity and identity in the public realm.
  
• Future Proof: Prepare for a future by looking ahead to build a resilient community in the face of growing climate concern and technological advancement.
  

At the Board of County Commissioner’s meeting held on December 13, 2021, the Board adopted a Resolution approving the SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan which will serve as the blueprint for plan implementation through upcoming comprehensive plan policies and land development code standards.

At the meeting, Blake Drury, Director of Urban Planning & Design for GAI Consultants, stated, “This is an important time in the life of this community. This master plan sets the vision for how this community wants to grow. There’s an opportunity to put parks and public spaces in the forefront and this master plan will create an avenue to change the trajectory of development along the corridor”.

County Manager, Taco Pope, added, “The population in Nassau County is going to increase. There’s nothing we can do legally to stop people from coming here. We have two options…. we can take a laissez-fair approach and do nothing and just see what happens. Or we can take the reins and craft a community we want. Adopting the State Road 200/A1A Master Plan is the first step in doing that. This plan promotes quality of life, invests in our community and makes Nassau County a better place to live”.

The Master Plan can be located here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/17/21 @ 4:45 p.m.- Nassau County recently won Awards of Excellence from the Northeast Florida Regional Council for two planning related projects. The first project, the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Vision Book, was selected in the Planning & Growth Management category. The Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program was selected in the Environmental Stewardship Category.

Beth Payne, Chief Executive Director for the Northeast Florida Regional Council, attended today's Board of County Commissioner's meeting and presented the County with two plaques. Planning & Zoning Board member, Linda Morris, was invited to  accept the award for the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Book. Ms. Morris served on the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee and has been credited with keeping the Committee on task and ensuring they succeeded in their goal of adopting a vision book that will guide the future of western Nassau. Staff members from the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity were in attendance to accept the award for the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program.

Ms. Payne stated, "These awards are showcasing the work that you (the county) are doing now. These innovative, forward thinking, public engagement related activities are valued. Surrounding counties value it as well and it will be immolated across the region".

Thank you Ms. Payne for visiting with us today! And a big thank you to Ms. Morris for all her contributions,  as well as to the Planning Department staff, for overseeing the process of these two very large projects.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer