3/25/19 @ 12:30 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners has issued the attached Press Release, notifying the public that Resolution No 2019-24 was approved and will become effective April 20th, 2019, establishing regulations for waste materials accepted at the Convenience Recycle Center located at 46026 Landfill Rd Callahan, FL 32011.

• Residential construction, demolition debris and yard waste will not be accepted
• No more than two (2) loads of waste materials in a seven-day period will be accepted
• No rental or foreclosure clean out allowed
• No oversized trailer loads (nothing over 6x10, no double axle trailers)
• Only in-county residential waste delivered by Nassau County residents shall be accepted

 
Attached is Resolution No. 2019-24 which includes a complete listing of items accepted and load/size limits.

If you have any questions, please contact Becky Diden at (904) 530-6700 or email bdiden@nassaucountyfl.com

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/14/19 @ 1:45 p.m. -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Adrienne Burke
Assistant Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
aburke@nassaucountyfl.com
 
COUNTY INFORMATION REGARDING SOUTH AMELIA ISLAND PARCEL
 
Nassau County, Florida, March 14, 2019 -  In response to the Fernandina Beach News Leader article in today’s edition, the County offers the following information regarding Parcel 39-1N-29-0000-0001-0000.
 
The site is approximately 55.5 acres. The zoning classification is Residential General - Two (RG-2). RG-2 allows for structures up to seven (7) stories and 85 feet in height. 

The Future Land Use Map designation of Medium Density Residential (MDR) allows for the property to be developed at three dwelling units per upland acre. The property has an existing entitlement of approximately 150 dwelling units.

Based on existing entitlements under the current land use and zoning designations, the site could be developed with roughly 150 dwelling units allocated between a series of (up to) seven (7) story buildings standing 85' in height.  To do anything else on the property would require a Future Land Use Map amendment and rezoning.

Under existing land use and zoning, a proposed project would require going through the County’s Development Review Committee and development processes. Changes to land use and zoning would also require following County processes. The Nassau County Planning and Economic Opportunity Department has not received any applications for development. Because of that, the specific process to follow has not been initiated.

Nassau County has had an initial discussion with the development team regarding the site. As explained to the County, the development team are currently conducting due diligence on the property including soil samples, tree surveys, etc. which involves a minimal level of site work.
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.
 
-Adrienne Burke, Assistant Director
 Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity

3/13/19 @ 4:00 p.m. - The Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity has issued a Press Release regarding the recently approved changes to the County's Land Development Code to allow Accessory Dwellings County-wide. The changes originated from a subcommittee of the County's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee who were tasked with making draft changes to the Code.

Accessory Dwellings are defined as a self-contained residential unit that is an accessory to a single-family home and on the same parcel. It has its own bathroom, kitchen facilities, living and sleeping areas, though it can share other features with the single-family home including the yard, parking, storage or laundry facilities. Accessory Dwellings are seen nationwide as a practice for addressing affordable housing issues.

Please see the attached Press Release to learn more about Accessory Dwellings and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Adrienne Burke
Assistant Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
aburke@nassaucountyfl.com

COUNTY KICKS OFF A1A/SR200 CORRIDOR DESIGN PLAN
 
Nassau County, Florida, March 1, 2019 -  The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and Planning and Economic Opportunity Department are kicking off a major corridor design plan for a 13 mile segment of A1A/SR200 in Yulee. The planning process is envisioned to be completed by the end of 2019.
 
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners has engaged GAI Consultants to work with the County in completing a corridor design plan for the State Road 200/A1A/ Buccaneer Trail Corridor from Police Lodge Road west of I-95 and continuing east to the Intracoastal Waterway, approximately 13.18 miles. The study will provide specific recommendations for segments identified along the SR 200/A1A Corridor including but not limited to: creation of place-based segments along the Corridor; context-sensitive land use and zoning recommendations; design and implementation strategies for signage, wayfinding, and identity; and low impact design strategies for addressing stormwater in a comprehensive way.

Envisioned as the Timber to Tides Trail, the goals of the study are to transform SR 200/A1A into a place that functions not just as a major roadway, but a place that provides different opportunities for living and working, and creates a sense of place in Nassau County based on our community’s history, character, and quality of life. The County seeks a plan for the Corridor so that it will be functional and of value to the community over the long-term. The study will emphasize community identity, enhance the public realm and streetscape, encourage recreation and bicycle and pedestrian activity, promote compact mixed-use development patterns, and improve environmental quality and floodplain management, while also attracting private investment and making use of already developed sites.
 
Public engagement and outreach will be forthcoming. To stay engaged, please visit www.nassaucountyfl.com/timbertotides.
 
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.

2/8/19 @ 4:50 p.m. -

On December 19, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners formed a Beach Community Working Group consisting of Mike Mullin, County Manager/County Attorney; Taco Pope, Director of Planning & Economic Opportunity; Doug Podiak, Facilities Maintenance Director; Gil Langley, Executive Director of the Tourist Development Council; Butch Osborne, Director of Operations for the Sheriff’s Office;
Mac Morris, Ex-Officio Member; and Lowell Hall, Ex-Officio Member.
 
The group has been directed to review current beach related Ordinances and use of the beach and to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners as to any updates or amendments that need to be made.  
 
The first meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.
 
The group is seeking the public’s input and participation to assist in their efforts to ensure that beach related Ordinances are consistent with the community’s use of the beach.
 
Additional meetings of the Beach Community Working Group will be held throughout the County. Those dates and times will be announced following the first meeting.
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If you have any questions, please contact the County Attorney’s Office at (904) 530-6100.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/1/19 @ 11:30 a.m.

On January 28th, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners accepted a $40,000 Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grant award to complete a Vulnerability Assessment for certain parts of the County. A Vulnerability Assessment reviews future exposure to existing developed areas and future areas of development, financial exposure, and risks to significant environmental and cultural resources. This project will specifically help the County assess the overall environmental and economic vulnerabilities related to flooding and sea level rise risks.
 
Flooding, stormwater, drainage are top of mind with elected officials and the community based on storm events like Matthew and Irma, but also because of everyday flooding after typical thunderstorms. It is not uncommon to hear on a weekly basis from citizens in the County regarding road flooding issues or that they have been dropped from their flood insurance. The community has indicated they are ready for action. A Vulnerability Assessment for rapidly growing areas, and areas with demonstrated existing flooding issues, will help Nassau County be better prepared.
 
The two areas that will be studied in this first phase are: 1) east of I-95 on the mainland, and 2) west of I-95 south and west of A1A/SR 200/301. These areas represent portions of the County experiencing rapid growth and development pressures, and lands that are highly vulnerable due to extensive floodplain and wetland areas. Long-range planning efforts are currently being conducted for these regions of the County, and a vulnerability assessment will help inform these efforts and future planning. The County has a goal of holistically incorporating resiliency planning into all planning activities, instead of treating it as a siloed, separate planning exercise.
 
The grant award did not require a match from the County. The Balmoral Group has been selected to complete the Vulnerability Assessment, and work will take place during Spring 2019. At least two community outreach meetings are planned as part of the scope of work, and results will be shared with the community. The County’s Planning and Economic Opportunity Department is applying for a second grant to have the assessment completed for the remainder of the County, including Amelia Island.
 
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.

-Adrienne Burke
 Assistant Director, Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity
 

1/23/19 @ 8:20 a.m. - The Department of Health issued the attached Press Release yesterday after a cat near Kings Ferry tested positive for rabies. The alert will remain in affect for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Nassau County:

• St. Marys River to the North
• Prospect Landing, Murrhee Road and US Highway 1 to the West
• Lessie Road to the East
• W. County Road 108 to the South.

The press release includes information on how to protect yourselves and your pets, as well as signs to look for that may indicate an animal has been exposed.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Cason with the Department of Health at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Emily.Cason@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/18/19 @ 8:15 a.m. - The Health Department has issued a Press Release regarding Partnership for a Healthier Nassau's new Community Health Improvement Plan for years 2019-2021. The unveiling of the new plan will take place on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Red Bean Center.

At the meeting, there will be a special presentation by guest speaker, State Attorney Melissa Nelson, who will share her vision of health for our community. Other key leaders will speak on the progress that has been made to improve the health in Nassau County and will also introduce a new project, Nassau Age-Friendly in Public Health.

What: Unveiling of New Community Health Improvement Plan
When: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: FSCJ Red Bean Center, Nassau Room (Building 30, Room T-126), 76346 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097

If you have any questions, please contact Mary von Mohr with the Nassau County Department of Health at (904) 557-9133 or via e-mail at Mary.VonMohr@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/2/19 @ 2:20 p.m. - The Nassau County Department of Health has issued the attached warning after a raccoon in western Nassau County tested positive for rabies. The Press Release includes steps you can take to protect yourself, as well as signs to look for that indicate an animal might be infected.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Cason at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Emily.Cason@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/20/18 @ 2:20 p.m. - The Precautionary Boil Water Notice issued on 12-14-2018 in the area of Sandcastle Villas is hereby rescinded following the satisfactory completion of Bacteriological analysis showing the water is now safe for consumption.
 
You may resume normal usage at this time.

If you have any questions, please contact NAU Customer Service at (904) 530-6030.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office