6/24/22 @ 1:15 p.m. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
 
NASSAU COUNTY RECEIVES 2022 SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FOR STATE ROAD 200 CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 24, 2022 – Nassau County has received its second award for the State Road 200 Corridor Master Plan. The first award was an Award of Excellence in Planning from the Northeast Florida Regional Council earned in January 2022. This most recent award is the 2022 Sustainability Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) which was earned for creating a plan that improves on and harmonizes with the natural environment.
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 gathering spaces such as parks and public markets. 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.
 
Joseph Quinn, Senior Project Manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District and President of the FPZA, stated, “The Nassau County State Road 200/A1A Corridor Master Plan reflects the incredible long-range vision of staff, residents, businesses owners, and others to foster a sense of community and connectivity not traditionally seen in such car-centric corridors. The broad stakeholder engagement in the Master Plan development is a testament to the community’s desire to create a vibrant, connected, and sustainable corridor addressing enhanced livability for both current and future residents. Given the exceptional aspects of the State Road 200/A1A Master Plan, the Florida Planning and Zoning Association was extremely excited to present Nassau County with the 2022 Sustainability Award!”
 
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.

 
The State Road 200 Corridor Master Plan outlines Low Impact Design (LID) principles that work with nature to manage stormwater and preserving natural landscape features. It also includes guidelines for maintaining natural areas and protecting viewsheds along the corridor which would be accomplished by strategic acquisition of parcels along the State Road 200 corridor.   
 
County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “The State Road 200 Corridor Master Plan- The Timber to Tides Project charts a path towards a more resilient and people centric development program that prioritizes quality-of-life and generational sustainability. I am proud to have been part of the planning team that delivered this project to the citizens of Nassau County”.
 
The Master Plan can be located here.

If you have any questions about the SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan, please contact the Nassau County Planning Department at (904) 530-6300 or email planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com.
 
 

5/24/22 @ 4:05 p.m. - At the Wednesday, May 18, 2022 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2022-107 adopting an Interim Strategic which provides a path forward in facilitating a more resilient, equitable, sustainable, and prosperous Nassau County. A review of the County's foundational studies/documents identified four high-level strategic priorities that capture the overarching values, primary objectives, and substantive concerns of the greater community. These four priorities will shape decision making and provide guide-rails as we progress through an ever-evolving environment:

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• Quality-of-Life & Quality-of-Place [Vibrancy]
• Environmental Stewardship & Resiliency
• Fiscal Stewardship & Economic Prosperity
• Governance & Leadership

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"It is with great excitement and expectation that I present Nassau County's first step towards adopting a strategic plan. While Nassau has maintained a Comprehensive Plan, a State mandated long-range planning document, the elements of local government that report directly to the Board of County Commissioners have never created an organizational strategic plan that sets a definable course, expectations, and fearless targets. The purpose of this document is to serve as an interim step towards the creation of a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan that charts a collective path forward in the shared-pursuit of the common good and creation of lasting public value". - County Manager, Taco E. Pope

To view the Interim Strategic Plan, please click here. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

It's Flood Awareness Month! As a voluntary participant in the National Flood Insurance Program that provides residents with flood insurance at premium rates, we will be publishing periodic flood awareness messages  throughout the month as it helps us maintain our flood management ratings.

Tip # 7: Flood Mitigation

What would it cost if your community lost all its infrastructure or pristine beaches due to flooding? There are mitigation steps you can take now to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Take action now by analyzing risk and then take steps to mitigate through insurance, retrofitting, relocation or elevating. According to FEMA, mitigation saves a community $6 for every $1 spent. Learn more here.

- Sabrina Robertson
  Public Information Officer

It's Flood Awareness Month! As a voluntary participant in the National Flood Insurance Program that provides residents with flood insurance at premium rates, we will be publishing periodic flood awareness messages  throughout the month as it helps us maintain our flood management ratings.

Tip # 6: Protect Our Natural Floodplain Functions

Floodplains are areas located near rivers, ponds, lakes and ocean that flood periodically. They contain both cultural and natural resources that are good for the environment. Flood waters can carry nutrient-rich sediments that contribute to healthy vegetation. Flood plains are also beneficial to wildlife as they create a variety of habitats for fish and other animals.

Protect our natural floodplain functions, keep swales and drainage ditches clear of debris to ensure water flow, and report the dumping of materials to the appropriate agency. Learn more about natural floodplains by visiting Nassau County's webpage dedicated to floodplain management and resiliency.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/19/22 @ 3:45 p.m. - It's Flood Awareness Month! As a voluntary participant in the National Flood Insurance Program that provides residents with flood insurance at premium rates, we will be publishing periodic flood awareness messages  throughout the month as it helps us maintain our flood management ratings.

Tip #5: Build Responsibly and Avoid Building in Floodplains

Before you build, find out what the regulations are and what type of permits are required. Be aware of substantial improvement rules which are there to correct structures built before current regulations and flood mapping.

For more information, visit your community's flood risk website. For example, if you live within a town or city, contact those entities directly. If you live in the County limits, visit the County's floodplain website here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/14/22 @ 4:40 p.m.

It's Flood Awareness Month! As a voluntary participant in the National Flood Insurance Program that provides residents with flood insurance at premium rates, we will be publishing periodic flood awareness messages  throughout the month as it helps us maintain our flood management ratings.

Tip #4: Protect Your Property

Protect your property from flood hazards. Flood insurance is your first level of protection. Other methods include installing flood vents where appropriate and raising electrical components off the ground. Electrical components include fuse boxes, meters, outlets, switches, water heaters and more.

Short circuits in electrical systems caused by flooding systems increases the risk of fire. Raising electrical components helps you avoid that damage. After a flood, an undamaged, operating electrical system will help you clean up, make repairs and move back into your home more quickly.

For additional information, please visit www.fema.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/11/22 @ 11:40 a.m. It's Flood Awareness Month! As a voluntary participant in the National Flood Insurance Program that provides residents with flood insurance at premium rates, we will be publishing periodic flood awareness messages  throughout the month as it helps us maintain our flood management ratings.

Tip #3: Protect Yourself
Intense or excessive rainfall can cause canals and ditches to overflow, causing flooding in streets. The flooding can develop slow or quickly and flash flooding can come with no warning.

• Find shelter right away
• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around, don't drown! Remember that just six inches of moving water can knock you down and just one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water

Prepare ahead for bad weather and make a flood emergency plan today. For more information, visit the National Weather Service's website.

4/8/22 @ 9:45 a.m. - It's Flood Awareness Month! Throughout the month we will be sharing information related to flooding and ways to protect yourself and your property.

Flood Insurance:
Flood insurance is available to everyone, regardless of whether you rent, own, or have a business, and regardless of whether or not you are in a high-risk flood zone. Flood insurance is one of the best ways to protect against financial losses caused by flood events as it enables people to recover more quickly and completely. Flood insurance is NOT included in your regular property insurance policy. For more information, visit FEMA's webpage.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/4/22 @ 10:45 a.m. - It's Flood Awareness Month! Throughout the month we will be sharing information related to flooding and ways to protect yourself and your property.

Flooding from excessive rainfall
Did you know that most areas in Florida are potentially prone to some amount of flooding from excessive rainfall or tidal influences? According to NOAA, flooding occurs in every U.S. State and territory and is a threat experienced anywhere in the world that receives rain. NOAA also states that in the U.S., floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightening.

Property owners need to know their flood risk. Visit the Nassau County Property Appraiser's website or call the Planning Department at (904) 530-6300.


-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/17/22 @11:55 a.m.

In May 2021, the Amelia Island Tree Protection Working Group completed its five-year mission in drafting a new Tree Protection Ordinance, modifying the existing Ordinance passed in 2008, as well as modifying Section 37.02, 37.05 and Article 32 of the Land Development Code.

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners adopted the updated Amelia Island Tree Ordinance, Ordinance No. 2021-012, on August 9, 2021 with an effective date of February 7, 2022.

As outlined in the Ordinance, the Board of County Commissioners created an Amelia Island Tree Ordinance Commission to assist in the administration of the Ordinance. Duties are as follows:

• Develop, recommend, and forward to the Board of County Commissioners a tree planting program that will be approved and updated a minimum of every five (5) years;
• Review tree/canopy restoration plans;
  
• Hear and decide administration appeals from provisions of the Ordinance;
• Recommend to the Board of County Commissioners periodic surveys of trees and vegetation, the designation of canopy roads, and the establishment of a Heritage Tree Program
  

The Amelia Island Tree Ordinance Commission will host their first meeting on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee. The meeting schedule will be determined at the first meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6300.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer