FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Adrienne Burke
Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
aburke@nassaucountyfl.com
 
COUNTY HOSTS FLOOD OUTREACH EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
 
Nassau County, Florida, January 22, 2020 -  On February 5 and 6, 2020, join the County to learn more about: 

- Results from the County's Vulnerability Assessment looking at flood and sea level rise risk on Amelia Island and West of I-95 (north of SR200/301)
- Floodplain management
- Protection strategies for flooding
- Flood zones and flood insurance
 
And we want to hear from you! Tell us about areas that you know flood or changes you have seen over time in Nassau County regarding flooding.

February 5, 2020 | 6-7:30PM
American Beach Community Center
1600 Julia Street
Fernandina Beach

February 6, 2020 | 6-7:30PM
Hilliard Library
15821 County Road 108
Hilliard

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded Nassau County a second Resilience Planning Grant to conduct a Vulnerability Assessment for the remainder of Nassau County. The first grant, awarded in 2018, looked at the Yulee and Callahan areas. The County selected the Balmoral Group to assist with the assessment, and they will be on hand at the outreach events to talk about their findings.
 
The two areas studied in this second phase are: 1) Amelia Island and 2) west of I-95 and north of A1A/SR 200/301. After completion of this phase, assessment of the entire County’s vulnerabilities will be complete. This assessment will help Nassau County be better prepared in planning for flood risk and changes in sea level, which is especially important as the community is expected to grow.
 
More information is available at: www.nassaucountyfl.com/vulnerabilityassessment and www.nassaucountyfl.com/floods
 
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.
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1/21/20 @ 10:45 a.m. - The Nassau County Health Department and the Partnership for a Healthier Nassau will be hosting the 2nd Annual Health Summit to provide residents with information on a multitude of topics affecting our community including health improvement, behavioral health/suicide, tobacco use, vaping, Age-Friendly efforts, infant mortality-substance exposed babies, faith-based health programs, housing and the Western Nassau Heritage Project.

The public is urged to attend and participate in the discussions to help make Nassau County "the best place to grow up, work and retire".

What: Nassau Health Summitt
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2020
Time(s): Health Fair from 12:00-1:00 p.m., followed by a General Session from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: Red Bean Center, 76346 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097
          Building 30, Room T-126 (Nassau Room)

Attached is a Press Release with additional information. Please contact Mary von Mohr at (904) 557-9133 or via email at Mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov with questions or comments.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/20/20 @ 11:25 a.m. - Attached is a Press Release from the Nassau County Department of Health regarding a rapidly spreading flu virus. The State's Surgeon General is urging everyone to get their flu shot as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Health at (904) 875-6110.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/7/20 @ 1:10 p.m.

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

 

In 2018, Nassau County submitted a Small Matching grant application to the Florida Division of Historical Resources to complete a Historic Resource Survey for the County. The County received the grant award in July 2019. The project began in Fall 2019 and will be completed by June 30, 2020. 
 
The first goal of the survey project is to update existing Florida Master Site File forms. The Florida Master Site File is the state of Florida’s official inventory of historic and cultural resources. It does not have a regulatory component; it is simply a record of historic sites. Nassau County has many listings already on the Master Site File, that describe a range of historic and cultural resources. Archaeological sites, homes, commercial buildings, churches, barns, chicken houses, syrup sheds, bridges, railroad beds, and cemeteries are just an example of the diversity of historic resources already included on the Master Site File. However, many of these site file listings are thirty or forty years old. It is not known whether many of these sites still exist and an update will help determine what is still in existence.
 
The second portion of the survey project will be to survey areas for new additions to the Florida Master Site File. Areas of unincorporated Nassau County should be included, in addition to possible sites in the incorporated towns of Callahan and Hilliard. Sites for possible survey and inclusion are included but not limited to: underrepresented history sites, cultural landscapes, sites related to agriculture and transportation, and mid-century resources and sites related to early and mid-century tourism. Properties built in 1970 or earlier will be reviewed for the project, as the threshold for historic properties is 50 years.
 
The last part of the project will recommend preservation strategies for the County. These strategies will be utilized to inform planning efforts throughout Nassau County. The County does not currently have a historic preservation program. A baseline survey updating our historic resource information will help in bringing the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code up to date and inform future steps in preservation planning.
 
The County has contracted with Environmental Services Inc./Terracon to complete the survey work. Representatives from ESI/Terracon will be in the field in Nassau County completing field work over the next few months, including documentation of sites. This involves their team members photographing a site and recording information about the site, such as construction and architectural details. Information is shared with the State Division of Historical Resources. Requests for information require approval of the Division of Historical Resources and are granted only to researchers, local government, and others with a
qualified reason for obtaining the information. All work is completed from the right-of-way and does not involve going on private property.
 
General information from the survey will be shared with local historic societies and museums. Education and outreach programs around the survey information will be conducted to generate interest and support for preservation projects in Nassau County. More information is available here.

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 the Planning Department's website, call (904) 530-6300 or email planning@nassaucountyfl.com.

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

Nassau County, Florida, January 2, 2020 -  Nassau County is embarking on a long-range Recreation Master Plan for the entire county, with the goal of completion in Fall 2020. The plan will be evaluating recreation needs in the community as we grow, identify existing and future opportunities, and make recommendations regarding operations and maintenance into the future.
As part of the planning process, the County will be doing a variety of public outreach, including a statistically valid survey, one on one meetings with Commissioners and other officials, and stakeholder meetings with various groups related to recreation in Nassau County.
The public is invited to participate in two open house events to learn more and provide input into the planning process. All are welcome!

January 29, 2020 | 6-7:30PM
Yulee Middle School
85439 Miner Road
Yulee

January 30, 2020 | 6-7:30PM
Fairgrounds Building
543350 US Hwy 1
Callahan

More information is available at: www.nassaucountyfl.com/recplan.
 
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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Adrienne Burke
Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
aburke@nassaucountyfl.com
 
NASSAU COUNTY ADOPTS WESTERN NASSAU VISION BOOK
 
Nassau County, Florida, December 18, 2019 – The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has adopted by resolution the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Vision Book. The adoption of the Vision Book is the culmination of a community-driven process to proactively plan for the future of western Nassau County, including all of the County west of I-95.

In response to a Fall 2017 Urban Land Institute report on the impacts of growth on Western Nassau, the Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) formed a subcommittee, the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee (WNHPC). Five PZB members who live in Western Nassau served on the WNHPC. The committee was charged with discussing the future of Western Nassau, and to work with the Planning and Economic Opportunity Department to determine how they can best assist in planning efforts. The Committee’s logo “Our Heritage, Our Future” echoes the historic Hilliard Poultry Association signage as a nod to the County’s past.

During the process, Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity (PEO) facilitated an extensive public outreach campaign to gather input from residents, property and business owners, and state and local agencies to craft their vision for the future.  On March 26, 2019, after a full year of community engagement, the WNHPC adopted the following mission statement:

The Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee exists because there is a genuine desire on the part of our citizenry to ensure what our name implies--Preservation! We enjoy a rich heritage in Western Nassau County. Through purposeful community engagement, we are driven to gain perspective and insight for inevitable growth. The underlying impetus of our goal is to maintain a high quality of life, preserve rural character, and ensure fiscally sustainable and appropriately controlled development.

The Committee and PEO staff then translated community input into the Vision Book’s goals, objectives, and strategies to be implemented over the planning horizon through 2045. Objectives and strategies relate to community goals including history, natural resources, health, quality of life, recreation, jobs and education, and public spaces and infrastructure. Community partners and other related planning efforts such as Vision 2032 and the County Comprehensive Plan are also included in the Vision Book.
 
The Vision Book was approved by the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee on October 22, 2019. The full County Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval to the BOCC in November 2019. Last month, the County PEO staff received the Outstanding Public Participation award from the First Coast Chapter of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association for efforts related to the Western Nassau Vision Book. The WNHPC and County staff extend many thanks to the numerous citizens who took time to attend meetings and events, or stop to talk to staff during community events. The Vision Book is truly a citizen-led plan and would not have been possible without their time and interest.
 
More information on the work of the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee and the Vision Book can be found at: www.nassaucountyfl.com/westernnassau.
 
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
 Director of Planning & Economic Opportunity
 
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
County Road 115 Construction Beginning November 25, 2019
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 21, 2019 – On Monday, November 25, 2019, work will commence for the long-awaited County Road 115 Widening and Resurfacing Project, from Henry Smith Road to Bypass Road.
 
The project will consist of milling and resurfacing of the existing lanes, widening the road approximately 1’ on both sides, construction of new 5’ paved shoulders, and reconstruction of ditches with cross drains and side drains. A contract for construction was awarded to Anderson Columbia at the September 23, 2019 Board of County Commissioner’s meeting.
 
The overall budget for the project totals $9,631,351 and is being paid for through a combination of Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP) and Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) Funding from the Florida Department of Transportation amounting to $8,999,026, in addition to $632,325 funding from the County.
 
The construction duration is 340 days but is subject to weather delays. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by November 2020.
 
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Should you have any questions, please contact County Engineer, Robert Companion, at (904) 530-6225 or via email at rcompanion@nassaucountyfl.com.

NOTE: THE FIRST FEW WEEKS WILL CONSIST OF PRELIMINARY SITE WORK SO IT WILL BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS. WE WILL SEND OUT NOTICES REGARDING POTENTIAL LANE CLOSURES IN ADVANCE SO RESIDENTS ARE AWARE OF ANY IMPACTS IT WILL HAVE ON THEIR DAILY COMMUTES. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Beach Community Working Group Drafts Recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 12, 2019 – 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, Assistant County Manager; 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 Morriss, Ex-Officio Member; and Lowell Hall, Ex-Officio Member.
 
The group was 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. A total of sixteen (16) meetings have been held to date. Hundreds of individuals have appeared at meetings and hundreds more have sent emails expressing concerns about a myriad of issues including but not limited to, items left on the beach, horseback riding, safety concerns, and littering, however most of the concerns related to beach driving and unregulated camping.
 
Having concluded their work, the Beach Committee Working Group will present their findings to the Board of County Commissioners on November 18, 2019 shortly after 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.
 
The County Commissioners will not vote on the recommendation at the meeting on the 18th however, they will direct County staff to review with the County Commission the Committee’s recommendations at future public workshops and discuss possible options with the County Commission and citizens. Ultimately, a county Ordinance will be drafted and public hearings will be held to address any proposed Ordinances.   
 
Again, no vote will be taken by the Board of County Commissioners at their November 18th meeting. Workshops will be advertised and posted on the County’s website once dates have been determined.
 
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Taco Pope, AICP, Elected to Board of Directors for the Northeast Florida Regional Community Institute
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 8, 2019 –Assistant County Manager, Taco Pope, AICP, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Florida Regional Community Institute (RCI). The Northeast Florida RCI is a non-profit think-tank aimed at addressing policy issues and challenges faced by the Region. Examples include managing growth, preserving valuable eco-systems, improving economic viability, and maintaining the quality of life in Northeast Florida. The RCI was created to address these challenges as a non-profit policy organization under the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC).
 
Taco Pope stated, “Many of the challenges facing Nassau County are the same challenges facing our neighbors in the Region. Collaborating with solution-oriented people from across Northeast Florida has the potential to produce outcomes that improve the lives of Nassau County residents. I look forward to the opportunity and I am optimistic that through the shared pursuit of a common good, we can strengthen our communities and improve our quality of life”.

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For additional information regarding the Northeast Florida Board of Directors, please contact Margo Moehring at (904) 279-0880 ext. 161 or mmoehring@nefrc.org.

10/16/19 @ 4:45 p.m. - At today's Board of County Commissioner's meeting, the Board approved a Resolution declaring October 16, 2019 at "Age-Friendly Day" and expressing intent to join AARP's Age Friendly Community Network to make our community more livable for people of all ages.

Attached is a Press Release from the Nassau County Department Health regarding their Age-Friendly Community initiative.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office