9/1/21 @ 3:00 p.m. -

On Saturday, August 21, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners hosted an Open House to discuss the results of an island-wide beach access and parking study conducted by Walker Consultants which included a current supply and demand analysis, followed with reasoned projections for the future. The information collected will be used for planning purposes to develop a comprehensive plan for public beach access and parking on Amelia Island.

About 75 residents were in attendance at the Open House, many of which provided feedback about their personal experiences in accessing the beach. Others expressed concerns about the collection of data for the supply/demand analysis and capacity projections over the study's planning horizon.

After considering the feedback from the public, County staff and representatives from Walker Consultants have decided to extend the time frame for the study to allow for additional observation and data collections. Within the next few weeks, a new detailed project schedule will be announced. This will include additional dates/times for data collection, citizen surveys, and future public meetings to keep the public involved throughout the process.

The Board of County Commissioners is committed to ensuring that residents and visitors have adequate access to the beach. Development of a comprehensive plan that provides long-term vision and planning will be instrumental in maintaining adequate public beach access in a rapidly growing community.

If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation Director, Jay Robertson, at (904) 530-6120 or via email at jrobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

8/18/21 @ 4:15 p.m.- At the August 9, 2021 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 2021-12, amending the Land Development Code to repeal the current unincorporated Amelia Island Tree Protection Ordinance and creating a new tree protection ordinance. The new ordinance will provide a more comprehensive and flexible approach.

The unincorporated Amelia Island tree protection program was originally implemented in 2008 and requires preserving 45% of protected trees for new development including commercial, multi-family, and residential subdivisions (protected trees are native trees with a trunk diameter at breast height/dbh of five inches and greater). The new ordinance will require preserving 25% of protected trees in construction and disturbance zones on a development site, and preserving all protected trees outside those zones in the natural area of the site. Tree protection will also be extended to residential lots outside of subdivisions.

The Ordinance also creates the Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission (NCAITC) to administer tree protection, one member of which will be filled by a soon-to-be-hired County Arborist. The NCAITC will review required tree protection plans for new construction and redevelopment projects, and will at a future date, develop a tree planting program to be considered by the Board of County. This program shall include strategies for planting trees on publicly-held lands in the unincorporated areas of Amelia Island, including rights-of-ways and lands owned or controlled by the Board of County Commissioners and Nassau County School Board, as well as strategies for working with private property owners to plant trees on unincorporated Amelia Island, with the possibility of partnerships using funds from a new Nassau County Tree Fund.

​The new Tree Fund will be a restricted fund which can only be used for purposes outlined in the Ordinance and at the recommendation of the NCAITC. Examples of authorized expenditures include: planting of new trees; performing studies relate to urban forestry, canopy protection an assessments of natural areas; education and outreach initiatives primarily focused on preserving the native canopy, impact of tree loss, value or natural, regenerating areas; and the development of grant applications.

The new Tree Ordinance will go into effect on February 13, 2022. Information on membership for the Tree Committee is forthcoming.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Planning Department at (904) 530-6300 or via email at planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer
 








-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

NASSAU COUNTY IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS OF PROPERTIES
FOR POTENTIAL ACQUISITION THROUGH THE CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CLAM)

Nomination Period: July 24, 2021 through December 31, 2021

The Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program was created to preserve and conserve the county’s natural, historic, and working lands resources by identifying, ranking, and assessing conservation lands for acquisition and management.

The County shall accept nominations of properties for potential acquisition by the County through the CLAM Program from any person or organization, including the County, nonprofit organizations, and local, regional, state, or federal governmental entities. To nominate a property for potential acquisition, the nominator shall submit an application to the Nassau County Planning Department. Nominators may nominate an entire parcel for acquisition in fee simple or only a specific portion thereof or interest therein. In nominating properties, nominators should consider, at a minimum, the information contained in the Conservation Plan, the CLAM Resource Rankings Map, and the CLAM Manual.

Nominations must be received by the Nassau County Planning Department no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, December 31, 2021. Nominations received after the nomination period will not be considered. CLAM documents and nomination forms can be found at the following link or can be picked up and dropped off in person at the address listed below:

https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/933/Conservation-Land-Acquisition-Management

Nassau County Planning Department
96161 Nassau Place
Yulee, Florida 32097

7/15/21 @ 8:45 p.m.

NASSAU COUNTY IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS OF PROPERTIES
FOR POTENTIAL ACQUISITION THROUGH THE CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CLAM)

Nomination Period: July 24, 2021 through December 31, 2021

The Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program was created to preserve and conserve the county’s natural, historic, and working lands resources by identifying, ranking, and assessing conservation lands for acquisition and management.

The County shall accept nominations of properties for potential acquisition by the County through the CLAM Program from any person or organization, including the County, nonprofit organizations, and local, regional, state, or federal governmental entities. To nominate a property for potential acquisition, the nominator shall submit an application to the Nassau County Planning Department. Nominators may nominate an entire parcel for acquisition in fee simple or only a specific portion thereof or interest therein. In nominating properties, nominators should consider, at a minimum, the information contained in the Conservation Plan, the CLAM Resource Rankings Map, and the CLAM Manual.

Nominations must be received by the Nassau County Planning Department no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, December 31, 2021. Nominations received after the nomination period will not be considered. CLAM documents and nomination forms can be found at the following link or can be picked up and dropped off in person at the address listed below:

https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/933/Conservation-Land-Acquisition-Management

Nassau County Planning Department
96161 Nassau Place
Yulee, Florida 32097

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
County Awarded Historic Resources Grant for Historical Resources Survey
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 25, 2021 – In May 2020, the Board of County Commissioners submitted an application to the State of Florida for a Historic Resources Grant to assist with Phase Two of a county-wide historic resources survey.
 
The purpose of the historic resource survey is to identify historic sites and structures within the County and submit the findings to the State of Florida for inclusion in the Florida Master Site File. The Master Site File is a form developed by the National Park Service that provides specific architectural, cultural, and historic information about each historic site and structure. Examples of historic sites include archeological sites, historic homes, commercial buildings, churches, barns, railroad beds, and bridges. County Master Site Files are several decades old and a new survey will determine which sites still exist and also identify historic sites and structures that have achieved historic significance in recent years.
 
The first phase of the project consisted of surveying areas in unincorporated Nassau County including 558 historic resources, each of which was recorded into a Master Site File. The second phase will consist of surveying an additional 1,200 – 1,300 structures in late 2021/early 2022. The last part of the project will be to complete the survey and recommend future historic preservation strategies for the County.
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Nassau County Planning Department at (904) 530-6300 or email planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com.
 

3/22/21 @ 8:10 p.m. - In early March, two public outreach sessions were held regarding the conceptual plan for the Westside Regional Park. The first was a virtual meeting held on Monday, March 1st. The presentation used for the virtual meeting was also used for the in-person meeting held on Thursday, March 4th.

Approximately 30 people were in attendance at the in-person meeting and several expressed their thoughts on amenities they would like to see included in the park. The County's consultant, Prosser, Inc., also provided the results of a recent survey in which citizens were given an opportunity to share their opinions about the possible amenities and the overall appearance of the park. The results of the survey were shared county-wide and then broken down further by zip codes and age groups.

Top priorities identified included:

• Multi-purpose fields
  
• Concession and restrooms
• Swimming pool/aquatic center
• Walking trails
• Nature areas/nature parks
• Large community park
• Indoor fitness center
• Community gardens
• Senior center
• Community spaces for rentals or special events
• and more!
  

To view the presentation, please click the video link below.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

12/18/20 @ 9:00 a.m. - Nassau County has received two Awards for Excellence from the Northeast Florida Regional Council. The first award is in the Environmental Stewardship category for the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program. The other is in the Planning & Growth Management Category for the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Heritage Book.

Please see Press Release from the NEFRC below:

Date: December 16, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kate Haigh
Title: Communications Specialist
Phone: 904-279-0880
Email: khaigh@nefrc.org
 
Northeast Florida Regional Leadership Award Winners Announced
 
Jacksonville, FL – The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) announced the winners of the 2020 Northeast Florida Regional Leadership Awards this week. In light of the current pandemic, award winners will be recognized in their individual counties rather than at a central event. The NEFRC awards these honors each year to recognize the best projects and the brightest leaders in the Region.
 
The Regional Awards recognition program is anchored by the Regional Leadership Award, given to a leader who exemplifies service to community and commitment to regionalism. This year’s recipient of the Northeast Florida Regional Council Regional Leadership Award is recently retired Florida Times Union Editorial Page Editor Mike Clark. Mr. Clark has worked tirelessly to give unbiased views on the top issues affecting our region.
 
Other award winners include St. Johns County’s Workforce Housing Zoning Designation in the Affordable Housing category; Azalea City Brewing located in the City of Palatka in the Adaptive Reuse category; the Baker County Chamber of Commerce in the Economic Development category; the First Coast Disaster Council’s response to COVID-19 in the  Healthcare/Emergency Preparedness category, the Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program in the Environmental Stewardship category, the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Vision Book in the Planning and Growth Management category; the City of Jacksonville’s Project Save Lives in the Public Safety category, the Floodplain and Stormwater Management Program in Palm Coast in the Resilience category, and the TPO’s Path Forward 2045 in the Transportation category, the Long Term Recovery Organization in the Quality of Life category.     
 
“We look forward each year to honoring those in our region who standout in their efforts to improve the quality of life of citizens in Northeast Florida,” said Beth Payne, CEO of the Northeast Florida Regional Council. “This year’s winners are examples of the outstanding work that is ongoing in the Region. It is our honor to celebrate their accomplishments during such a challenging year.”  
 
The NEFRC is an independent, regional government agency serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, Nassau and St. Johns counties. It provides a regional perspective toward growth management, economic development, emergency preparedness, resiliency, and community development to enhance the quality of life of Northeast Florida residents. For more information about the Northeast Florida Regional Council, visit www.nefrc.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Thad Crowe       
Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
tcrowe@nassaucountyfl.com
 
APPLICATIONS AFFECTING 5456 FIRST COAST HWY. (SUMMER BEACH PARCEL D-1) ARE WITHDRAWN
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 23, 2020 - On November 23, 2020, the County's planning staff were informed by the applicants of Application Nos. NOPC20-002 and FD20-008 were withdrawing the items from consideration at the December 1, 2020 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting and the December 14 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
 
NOPC20-002 was a proposed resolution amending the Development Order for the Summer Beach DRI; providing for a maximum of 7,000 square feet of commercial and office space and 24 multifamily residential units on Parcel D-1 (5456 First Coast Hwy.).
(Note: at present, Resolution 2007-105 allows for up to 25,000 square feet of commercial and office space and 16 residential units on this site).
The amendment would also have adjusted minimum setbacks and included a statement that the buffer along the southern boundary line must meet current County standards for separation of incompatible uses and shown on the Final Development Plan.
 
FD20-008 was a proposed final development plan for Parcel D-1, allowing for 4,500 square feet of commercial and office space and 24 multifamily residential units at this location.
 
Both items were withdrawn from consideration by the applicants on Monday, November 23, 2020.
 
The Nassau County Planning and Economic Opportunity Department is charged with leading long-range and current planning for the community, with a focus on technical planning, implementation and management of the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, development and site plan review, and assistance to citizens, the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and other staff, advisory boards, government agencies, and the private sector regarding growth and development in Nassau County. For more information on our Plan, Code, or current initiatives, visit www.nassaucountyfl.com/planning, call (904) 530-6300 or email planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com.
 

8/31/20 @ 2:45 p.m. - On Saturday, August 15, 2020, two presentations were held regarding the Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Program. Approximately one dozen residents attended each presentation as Mr. Marc Hudson with the North Florida Land Trust provided information on the design of the Program.
 
The presentations were broken up into two parts. The first part described the creation of the CLAM Committee. The Committee will consist of five members selected by the public whose role will be to review and prioritize properties for conservation lands acquisition, oversee acquisitions, and ensure that the properties are managed sustainably and with appropriate recreational opportunities for the public. Members of the public will be able to nominate lands to be considered for conservation and provide public comment on each part of the process.
 
During the second part of the presentations, Mr. Hudson described the CLAM Resource Ranking Tool the County will use to assess, rank and compare different conservation properties. The tool was developed by environmental and planning professionals along with more than 300 Nassau County citizens. The CLAM tool evaluates potential acquisition properties in light of community priorities including water issues (water quality, flooding, sea level rise), species and habitat protection, and outdoor recreation/quality of life. The tool will ensure the County secures the most locally valued conservation lands.
 
To view the presentation from August 15, 2020, please visit the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity’s website at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/933/Conservation-Lands.
 
The Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Plan will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration and/or approval before the end of the calendar year.
*********************************************************************************************************
Should you have any questions, please contact the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300.
 

8/28/20 @ 10:00 a.m.

On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Thad Crowe accepted the position of Director of Planning & Economic Opportunity. Mr. Crowe was hired by Nassau County in May 2020 as a Senior Planner and was asked to serve as the Interim PEO Director in July 2020.

Mr. Crowe's education includes a Bachelors Degree in Geography from the University of Georgia and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from Georgia Tech. He holds certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Mr. Crowe's work experience includes 33 years of public and private sector planning positions throughout North Florida and South Georgia. He has extensive experience in the development of zoning codes and comprehensive plans, pedestrian and bicycle paths, development review, and historic preservation. He is the recipient of multiple awards including the George W. Simons, Jr. Memorial Award for lifetime achievement, received from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association in 2013.

County Manager, Mike Mullin, stated "We are happy that Thad has accepted this position. Even though Thad has only been with us a short time, he has become a valuable member of our team. His knowledge and experience made him a great candidate for the position and I am certain he has the skills needed to lead the Planning Department effectively.” 

Congratulations Thad! We wish you many years of success as Nassau County's Planning Director.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Office