2/28/20 @ 3:55 p.m. - The Florida Department of Health has established a webpage for residents to view regarding the Coronavirus. The site provides current information about the virus and tips on protecting yourself. It also contains links to resources on the Center for Disease Control's website.

Please note there are currently NO CASES in Florida. We are sharing this information to notify the public where they can find accurate information.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/21/2020 PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS EVENT IS BEING POSTPONED DUE TO THE COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS


2/22/20 @ 11:30 a.m. - It's that time of year again! Begin your spring cleaning and bring all unwanted hazardous items to the Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.or until the truck is full (whichever comes first)
Location: Nassau County Convenience and Recycling Center, 46026 Landfill Road, Callahan, FL 32011

This is a FREE service for all Nassau County residents. Types of items that will be collected include:

• Pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers
• Paints and paint thinners
• Oil filters, used oil, and lubricants
• Pool chemicals
• Fluorescent lamps
• Electronics
• Batteries
• Household cleaners
• Corrosives
• Propane tanks
• Aerosol cans
• Used cooking oil

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

No items from commercial businesses will be accepted without prior approval. Please call (352) 334-0440 in advance for pricing.

A food drive for Barnabas will also be held in conjunction with this event. Please consider bringing non-perishable canned food items for donation.

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6700 or Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/28/20 @ 9:30 a.m. - Nassau County's Director of Planning & Economic Opportunity, Adrienne Burke, has accepted a new position as a Principal Planner for Miami-Dade County where she will work in long-range planning and historic preservation.

Adrienne has worked for Nassau County since May 2018, first as the Assistant Director and finally as the Director of the PEO Department. During her tenure, she has been actively involved in the community, hosting public outreach sessions to encourage residents to be active in planning for Nassau County's future.

The Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee met monthly with westside residents to establish the Vision Book which will be used to guide future planning. She has held numerous community meetings with the residents of American Beach as they explore methods to provide public water and sewer to the community and implemented zoning regulations to maintain the historic integrity of the community. She has also been actively involved with the County's Essential Housing Advisory Committee (EHAC) and was successful in updating the County's Land Development Code to allow mother-in-law dwellings on residential properties containing a primary home.

Today is Adrienne's last day of employment with Nassau County and we wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/27/20 @ 3:50 p.m.- At the February 24, 2020 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners presented Resolution No. 2020-28 to Kristen Musgrove for receiving the Milken Educator Award for the 2019-2020 School Year.

Kristen is a life-long resident of Nassau County who graduated from Hilliard Middle-Senior High. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida and has been teaching since 2007. She currently teaches 6th Grade Math at Hilliard Middle-Senior High where 97% of her students are leading the School District with math proficiency.

Kristen is a two-time recipient of the Nassau County Golden Apple Award, a prestigious award created to honor exemplary teachers. On February 5, 2020, Kristen received the Milken Educator Award, an award created to reward early-to-mid year career education professionals for their early achievements. She was one of 40 Milken Educator Award Winners for the 2019/2020 School Year however she was the ONLY recipient from the State of Florida. She will join the other award recipients in Indianapolis next month to meet with State and Federal leaders to discuss the future of education.

Ms. Musgrove stated, "I am honored to represent Hilliard Middle-Senior High, our County and our beautiful State. I hope a lot of students follow in my footsteps and become a teacher. Teaching is the most rewarding profession and I could not imagine doing anything else".

Thank you Kristen for all you do and the impact you have on our youth. We wish you continued success in the years to come.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/27/20 @ 9:20 a.m. - The Nassau County Health Department will offer "Stop the Bleed" trainings throughout March to train residents on how to assist in a bleeding emergency while waiting on professional help to arrive. It is estimated that more than 30,000 lives could be saved annually with effective bleeding control so residents are encouraged to train so you can help make a difference.

Attached is a Press Release containing dates and times offered. Participants will receive a Stop the Bleed Medical Kit. 

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Baptista with the Department of Health at (904) 753-1258 or via e-mail at barbara.baptista@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/26/20 @ 4:30 p.m. - The Fernandina Beach Library Branch currently  has a Native American Art Exhibit on display through April 30, 2020.

On Saturday, March 14th from 5:00-7:00 p.m., the Library will host a Show & Tell Reception in which residents who own Native American Art can share their pieces.

If you have any questions, please contact the Library at (904) 530-6500 or email libraryinfo@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

UPDATED 3/16/20 - DUE TO THE CDC RECOMMENDATION TO LIMIT PUBLIC EVENTS, THIS EVENT IS BEING POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE


2/26/20 @ 1:50 p.m. - The Annual Waste Tire Amnesty Day will be held on Saturday, April 4th. This event allows NASSAU COUNTY residents to dispose of up to 15 car or truck tires, free of charge, with proof of residency.

Tires must be off the rim and free of debris. No commercial loads with be accepted.

What: Waste Tire Amnesty Day

When: Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (or until the tire trailer is full... whichever comes first!)

Where: Nassau County Convenience Recycle Center, 46026 Landfill Road, Callahan, FL 32011

For more information, please contact the Recycle Center directly at (904) 530-6702 or email bdiden@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/25/20 @ 3:45 p.m. - The County has received notification from CDM Smith, Inc., that the intersection of North Harts Road and Clyde Higginbotham will be closed from 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 29 through 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 1st, due to a Natural Gas Main Construction in the area.

During this closure, traffic will be detoured through the neighboring streets as shown in the above aerial map. Traffic message boards will be installed as an advanced notification, along with traffic control devices for the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and for the safety of the crew in the work zone.

Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. Field representatives and contractors will be available on-site to answer any questions you may have.

You can also call 888-849-9278 with any additional questions or concerns.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

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.
 

 
 

2/24/20 @ 4:50 p.m. - Please see the below information from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regarding bat maternity season which begins on April 15th.

For immediate release: February 13, 2020
Media contacts: Jamie Rager, 850-404-6104; Carli Segelson, 772-215-9459 

It’s bat time again: Check your home before maternity season

Bat maternity season is almost here, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding the public to check their homes and other structures for bats and seal potential entry points. Are there cracks in your chimney or holes in your siding? Bats and other small mammals can fit into these small spaces, and now is the best time to inspect your home!
Maternity season is the time during which bats gather to give birth and raise their young. Removal of bat colonies must be completed before the season starts on April 15. Bat exclusions are illegal during the maternity season, which runs through August 15. That protects young bats that are not yet able to fly, and it prevents bigger problems for homeowners.

“Maternity season is a critical time for bats,” said Terry Doonan, an FWC biologist and mammal conservation coordinator. “If they are excluded from a place where they are roosting during this time, their flightless young can become trapped inside and die.”

Florida is home to 13 resident bat species, including threatened species such as the Florida bonneted bat. Some bat species roost in artificial structures, including houses and other buildings. It is illegal to harm or kill bats in Florida, so guidelines have been developed to ensure bats are removed safely and effectively outside of the maternity season.

Exclusion guidelines on how to remove bats from buildings can be found at MyFWC.com/Bats. Materials and methods used to exclude bats can affect the success of that process. For more information on how to conduct a bat exclusion, watch this YouTube video: How to Get Bats Out of a Building. Further details on how to conduct a legal bat exclusion can be found at Bat Conservation International.

Bats are beneficial to people and are an important part of the ecosystem. Florida’s native bats help keep insect populations under control, with the average bat eating hundreds of insects a night. In addition to the benefit of keeping mosquitoes and other insects at bay for residents enjoying the outdoors, the value of insect suppression by bats to U.S. agriculture has been estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
There are several ways that Florida residents and visitors can help bats:

• Preserve natural roost sites, including trees with cavities and peeling bark. Dead fronds left on palms can also provide roosting spots for bats.
• Put up a bat house.
• Report unusual bat behavior, or sick or dead bats to: MyFWC.com/BatMortality.

Avoid handling or touching bats, or any wild animals, especially if they are not acting normally. Bats, like any other wild animals, may bite to defend themselves if handled, and they can carry rabies. For more information about rabies, visit the Florida Department of Health website at FloridaHealth.gov. 
If you have questions or need assistance, contact your closest FWC Regional Office to speak with a regional wildlife assistance biologist for more information.