FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Beach Hearing Scheduled for March 23rd to be Continued
 
Nassau County, Florida, March 20, 2020 – As many of you know, the Board of County Commissioners has a public hearing scheduled for Monday, March 23rd at 6:00 p.m. to discuss possible revisions to the County’s beach ordinances as they related to beach driving, camping, horseback riding, bonfires, and more.
 
In light of the recent threat to public health due to COVID-19 and the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation to limit gatherings, please be advised that the public hearing WILL NOT be heard on Monday, March 23rd. The Board held a special meeting on Monday, March 16th and voted to continue the public hearing to Monday, April 27th at 6:00 p.m.
 
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through unprecedented times.
If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
 

Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Ratliff Road Closed for Emergency Repairs
 
Nassau County, Florida, March 6, 2020 – Please be advised that a drainage pipe under Ratliff Road has broken, causing the road to collapse between Maplewood Court and Woodland Circle.
 
At this time, Ratliff Road is closed 400’ east of the railroad track. Work has commenced and will continue throughout the weekend. It is anticipated that the road will re-open the afternoon of Tuesday, March 10th.
 
A detour has been established and detour signage has been placed in the vicinity. Residents north of Maplewood Court will still be able to access Ratliff Road from US 1. Residents south of Maplewood Court will need to take the detour: north on US1 to US301, south to Thomas Creek, to Ratliff Road
 
The County has notified the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue so they are aware of the closure when responding to emergency calls for service.
 
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions, please contact the Road Department at (904) 530-6175.
 
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Board Schedules Workshop Session Regarding Growth
 
Nassau County, Florida, March 5, 2020 – At the February 20, 2020 Board of County Commissioners meeting, County Attorney/County Manager, Mike Mullin, requested the Board to set a Workshop Session to discuss examples of how growth is addressed.
 
Mr. Mullin stated, “Everyone is aware that growth is an issue and staff has been developing ways to control and manage it”.
 
The County’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Ordinances established tools for properly managing growth.
 
Examples include the following:
 

• The Recreation and Public Space Element which encourages public-private partnerships for funding and construction of parks and recreational facilities for Nassau County residents.
  
• The Transportation Element which encourages the use of strategies to reduce traffic impacts and enhance traffic flow, accessibility and safety of the County transportation system. Examples include traffic signal upgrades, lighting improvements, signage and pavement striping, expanded turn lanes, etc. Development shall also include paved shoulders and sidewalks which connect to the County’s transportation system to encourage bicycle use and pedestrian movement to minimize utilization of the major roadways.  
  
• The Public School Facilities Element requires developers to provide off-site improvements, signalization, signage, sidewalks and bicycle paths to serve the schools and mandates that the development pays its share of capital costs to accommodate the increase to school capacity.

 
Mr. Mullin went on to say, “While we cannot legally stop growth, we can plan for it by ensuring that the property is reviewed for historical values before a development is approved, that the proposed structures are aesthetically pleasing, and that recreational facilities are in place before construction on a development begins.”
 
Mr. Mullin suggested a Workshop Session be held to provide the public with information on what the County is doing to manage growth and the challenges we have in controlling it. The Board will also discuss the new trend of public/private partnerships that are being utilized to ensure the County has facilities and infrastructure in place to accommodate the growth. Examples include the recently approved Tributary and Nassau Crossing Communities in which the Developers donated land and covered costs associated with constructing parks to be enjoyed by all Nassau County residents.
 
The Workshop will be held on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. The public is encouraged to attend and learn more about this very important issue. If you are unable to attend, you can watch the meeting live on our website at www.nassaucountyfl.com. The video will also be available to view at the conclusion of the meeting.
 
If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3/2/20 @ 4:00 p.m. - A $1.16 million effort to enhance beach cleaning and ensure clean restroom facilities at beach parks has been approved by the Nassau County Commissioners - just ahead of the busy tourism season. Firms who submitted successful responses to Request for Proposals (RFP), were awarded three-year contracts, with the option of additional one-year extensions. Beach Rakers, LLC. and Sea Bandit, Inc. began work Sunday, March 1st and will work seven days a week with extended hours.
 
“We are excited about the enhanced program,” said Danny Leeper, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). “Keeping the beaches of Amelia Island pristine is critical to our success, not only as a major tourism destination, but as good stewards of the environment. The money invested on these tasks is well spent.”
 
The costs for the remainder of the fiscal year tops $231,000. Annual expenditures for both contracts top $388,500. In prior years, expenditures for beach cleaning averaged $174,000. Mr. Leeper noted that the effort is being fully funded by Tourist Development Taxes (TDT) paid by overnight visitors staying in condos, hotels, and resorts.  “Nassau residents enjoy clean and safe beaches and facilities year-round, courtesy of our tourists. No local taxes are being used on these contracts.” The TDT expenditures were unanimously recommended to the BOCC by the Tourist Development Council, which Mr. Leeper chairs.

The contract with Beach Rakers calls for beaches to be cleaned at least once a day - 365 days a year.  They will be cleaned more frequently on major holiday weekends. Despite the name, the County contract specifies the eight miles of beach will be cleaned by hand. The scope of work also includes enforcement of the “Leave No Trace” ordinance, passed in 2016. All items left on the beach overnight will be removed and destroyed. There is no option for recovery of abandoned items.
 
Sea Bandit, Inc. is a local firm awarded restroom cleaning at a cost of $64,500 annually. During tourist season, defined as March 1st through September 30th, beach parks with facilities will be cleaned at least 4 times daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. During the off-season, bathrooms will be cleaned daily between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 
“This is the first step in improving and protecting our beaches,” said Mr. Leeper. “Over the past year, the BOCC has received suggestions from hundreds and hundreds of constituents. Clean beaches were a priority we’ve addressed. We will continue to address concerns and make changes to improve the beach experience for all.”
 
For further information, please contact Mike Mullin, County Manager, 904-530-6100.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Valerie Feinberg              
Assistant Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
vfeinberg@nassaucountyfl.com
 
PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE RESIDENTIAL GENERAL 2 (RG-2) ZONING DISTRICT
 
Nassau County, Florida, February 25, 2020 - On December 18, 2019, the County's planning staff was directed by the Board of County Commissioners to review the provisions of the Residential General 2 (RG-2) zoning district for the entire County. Among the matters to be reviewed were minimum lot requirements, minimum yard requirements, and building restrictions.
 
Properties currently zoned RG-2 are available to be viewed via the map search tool at the Nassau County Property Appraiser’s website by visiting www.nassauflpa.com and selecting the Map Search function. From there, select the Map Layers option at the top of the screen. Then select the “Planning and Growth Management” list and then select Unincorporated Nassau County Zoning.
 
Currently, the RG-2 District allows single-family dwellings, duplexes, townhomes and multi-family dwellings as permitted uses.

• Single family dwellings and duplexes require a minimum lot of 75 feet in width and 8,700 square feet in area.
• Townhomes require a minimum lot of 20 feet in width and 2,000 square feet for interior lots and 30 feet and 3,000 square feet for exterior (end) lots.
• Multi-family dwellings require a minimum lot width of 125 feet and 15,000 square feet, plus an additional 4305 square feet (0.1 acre) for each dwelling unit over four (4).
• Single family dwellings, duplexes and townhomes have a maximum building height of 35 feet and a maximum lot coverage of 35 %.
• Multi-family dwellings may exceed 35 feet, up to a maximum height of 85 feet or seven (7) stories. Depending on the height of the building, the lot coverage is reduced as follows:
• 35 feet— 26%
• 45 feet—25%
• 55 feet—23%
• 65 feet—21%
• 75 feet—19%
• 85 feet—17%
• In addition to the reduced lot coverage, structures exceeding 35 feet in height must increase the minimum side yard by one (1) foot for every two (2) feet of building height exceeding 35 feet. Any structures constructed along the Atlantic coastline (beachfront) must increase the minimum rear yard by one (1) foot for every two (2) feet of building height exceeding 35 feet, using the Coastal Construction Control setback line, as adopted.

 
The density of residential development is determined by the underlying Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation of the property, adopted as part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Typically, the High Density Residential (HDR) designation allows a maximum of ten (10) units per upland acre. A density bonus for qualifying affordable housing projects can allow on market rate unit for each affordable unit up to 150% of the maximum density permitted by the FLUM.
 
Staff is currently analyzing the appropriateness of the RG-2 zoning district in terms of its consistency with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and its compatibility the existing development patterns of the County. This includes potential revisions to lot requirements, yard requirements, and building restrictions, including maximum height and lot coverage.
 
Proposed revisions to the RG-2 zoning district will be discussed at the following Planning & Zoning Board meeting:

Date: March 3, 2020
Time: 6pm
Location: Commission Chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place Yulee, FL 32097
 
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, or to provide input on the proposed changes to RG2 zoning, 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
 
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.
###

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.