5/2/18 @ 10:00 a.m. - It's Flood Awareness Week!

Wednesday's message: Build responsibly. Avoid building in floodplains. Before you build, find out what the regulations are and what permits are required. Be aware of substantial improvement rules, which are there to correct structures built before regulations and flood mapping. These apply when a structure is below a known base flood elevation. For more information, visit the Building Department's website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/1/18 @ 10:05 a.m. - Protect your property from flood hazards. Insurance is your first level of protection. Other methods include installing flood vents where appropriate or raising electrical system components. For more information on how to protect your property, visit Nassau County's Building Department website.

You may also contact Sue Ann Alleger, Planner II and CRS Coordinator, at (904) 530-6300 or via email at [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/27/18 @ 11:05 a.m. -

Visit the Nassau County Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity staff
at the upcoming Isle of 8 Flags Shrimp Festival

Stop at their booth to experience an interactive Flood Simulation Model that imitates flood dangers and flood prevention methods and to obtain information on flood safety. These activities garner the County points in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities. A high rating results in discounted flood insurance premium rates for citizens.

County and City CRS staff are scheduling presentations with the Flood Simulation Model in local fifth grade classrooms, with a goal to reach more citizens throughout the year.

A similar flood simulation modeling device was recently borrowed from the Florida Floodplain Manager’s Association (FFMA) and then shared with students at the Atlantic Recreation Center and Yulee Elementary 5th Grade. Due to the excellent educational program, dubbed the “Traveling Floodplain,” representatives from Nassau County and the City of Fernandina Beach were asked to present at the recent statewide FFMA conference.

For additional information or questions regarding floodplain management and relevant educational tools, please contact the Nassau County CRS coordinator Sue Ann Alleger at [email protected] or (904) 530-6322.

-Sue Ann Alleger
 Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity
 

 

3/23/18 @ 10:35 a.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity regarding a Public Workshop of the Amelia Island Tree Protection Working Group:

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:Kailey Porter
Nassau County BOCC
(904)530-6300

Amelia Island Tree Protection and Replacement Plan Public Workshop

Event:
The purpose of the public workshop with the Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board is to discuss the results of the Amelia Island Tree Protection Working Group’s fact finding endeavor. The proposed changes to land development regulations only apply to the unincorporated areas of Amelia Island. The results of the fact finding endeavor have been formatted into a draft ordinance that will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board for the first time on 4/3/18 at 6:00 p.m.
 
**To view the draft Ordinance and provide feedback electronically, visit the Amelia Island Tree Protection webpage at: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/886/Amelia-Island-Tree-Protection
 
The public workshop will include a presentation from the Amelia Island Tree Protection Working Group and an open discussion of proposed changes between all interested parties. Anyone interested in the ordinance is encouraged to attend the Public Workshop, review the proposed ordinance, provide comments and ask questions. A direct link to the draft ordinance is provided here. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Who:   Nassau County Staff, the Amelia Island Tree Protection Working Group, the Nassau County Planning   and Zoning Board & the Citizens of Nassau County
What:  Amelia Island Tree Protection and Replacement Plan
When:  April 3rd, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Why:   To solicit public feedback on the Amelia Island Tree Protection and Replacement Plan
Where: James S. Page Governmental Complex
       96135 Nassau Place  
       Yulee, FL 32097
 
Project Description:
The Amelia Island Tree Protection Working Group has completed its fact finding mission and has drafted an ordinance modifying tree protection standards for the unincorporated areas of Amelia Island. These proposed changes apply to the unincorporated areas of Amelia Island only and are intended to preserve and enhance the unique maritime forest which benefits the health, safety and general wellbeing of the inhabitants of Amelia Island.
 
Four of the primary changes to the existing tree protection regulations in the unincorporated areas of Amelia Island only are:

(1) All existing properties, including properties with an existing single family home, will be subject to tree protection standards.
(2) There will be a permitting process to remove protected trees for all properties - including individual homeowners.
(3) The list of protected trees is being expanded.
(4) The methodology for calculating tree preservation requirements is being modified.
 
Contact:
For more information contact Kailey Porter or Sue Ann Alleger with Nassau County at (904)530-6300 or [email protected] and [email protected]

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
 

3/21/18 @ 2:20 p.m. - Nassau County Policy Planner Adrienne Burke was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein last week. Secretary Valenstein has been conducting sessions around the state to talk with stakeholders around coastal resiliency and sea level rise. This visit in Jacksonville included representatives from local governments in Northeast Florida, the Northeast Florida Regional Council, St. John's Riverkeeper, Audubon Florida, U.S. Green Building Council, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville Port Authority, and the DuPont Fund. Planner Jacob Platt with the City of Fernandina Beach also attended the meeting.


At the roundtable, Secretary Valenstein gave a brief introduction about his vision and goals for the DEP. Attendees were invited to give their perspectives on issues such as water quality, wildlife, flooding, sea level rise, land acquisition through Florida Forever and ways the DEP can engage with local communities. The group discussed the challenges and opportunities facing communities in the region and across Northeast Florida as it relates to environmental protection. Secretary Valenstein and the DEP will be conducting follow up sessions as his Department works to increase community outreach.


-Adrienne Burke
 Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity

3/21/18 @ 9:10 a.m. - Various areas of Nassau County are located within low lying coastal plains which are susceptible to flooding from rivers, creeks, and wetlands after heavy rains. 

What can you do to reduce flood risk? See Nassau County's newly published brochure: "Flood Protection and Safety".

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Ann Alleger with the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6322 or via email at [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
 

3/9/18 @ 4:45 p.m. - In July 2017, we announced that the County hired a consultant to create a Master Telecommunication Plan to identify and assess existing wireless communication facilities, determine gaps in coverage, and provide recommendations for design and citing for future facilities. To read that original story, please click here.

A series of Public Outreach Events was held in August 2017, which provided an opportunity for the County to share this information with the public and to solicit feedback about the project. The County is now hosting a Second Public Outreach Series which will include a presentation from CityScape Consultants, Inc., and a question and answer session. Those meetings are as follows:

GREATER NASSAU COUNTY SESSION
When: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Regular Meeting of the Planning & Zoning Board
Where: James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

AMELIA ISLAND SPECIFIC SESSION
When: Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at a Special Meeting of the City of Fernandina Beach Planning Advisory Board
Where: City Hall Commission Chambers, 204 Ash Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

The next steps following these meetings will include an ordinance review and recommendations by CityScape Consultants, Inc.

If you have any questions, please contact Adrienne Burke with the Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300 or [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/17/17 @ 10:25 a.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity regarding the Town Hall Meeting to discuss the future of Western Nassau. 

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 17, 2017
CONTACT: KRISTINA BOWEN
NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
(904) 530-3600
 
Urban Land Institute (ULI)
Western Nassau County
Technical Advisory Panel (TAP)
 
Event:
Nassau County engaged the ULI North Florida District Council to convene a Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) for the purpose of facilitating community dialogue and studying western Nassau County. The ULI and Nassau County are hosting a town-hall style meeting to exchange ideas and serve as the catalysis for ongoing community based dialogue to ensure the citizens of western Nassau are actively engaged in shaping its future. 
 
More information related to the Western Nassau - ULI TAP and/or to provide comments on-line via a digital comment card visit http://www.nassaucountyfl.com/index.aspx?nid=840.
 
Who:  Citizens of Western Nassau County, the ULI TAP, County Staff
What: Town-hall style meeting with the ULI’s Western Nassau TAP
Why:  To promote public discourse on the future of western Nassau County
When: November 8, 2017 at 6 pm
Where: Northeast Florida Fairgrounds
       Multi-Purpose Building
       543350 US Hwy 1
       Callahan, Fl 32011
 
ULI Mission:
The mission of the Urban Land Institute is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.
 
ULI is committed to:

• Bringing together leaders from across the fields of real estate and land use policy to exchange best practices and serve community needs;
• Fostering collaboration within and beyond ULI’s membership through mentoring, dialogue, and problem solving;
• Exploring issues of urbanization, conservation, regeneration, land use, capital formation, and sustainable development;
• Advancing land use policies and design practices that respect the uniqueness of both the built and natural environments;
• Sharing knowledge through education, applied research, publishing, and electronic media; and
• Sustaining a diverse global network of local practice and advisory efforts that address current and future challenges.

 
https://americas.uli.org/about-uli/mission-priorities/
 
Contact:
For more information contact Kristina Bowen with Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300 or [email protected].
 
Public participation is encouraged and sought without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or family status.  Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Kristina Bowen or Taco Pope at (904)530-6300 at least 7 days before the meeting.
 

7/27/17 @ 2:15 p.m. - Nassau County will be hosting three Initial Public Outreach Sessions to discuss the Telecommunications Master Plan.  The meetings will be held on August 15, 16 and 17, 2017.  The sessions will serve as the initial opportunity to provide information to the public and to solicit feedback about the project.  Anyone interested in this project is encouraged to attend the meeting to receive information, ask questions and provide comments.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Who:  Nassau County Staff, CityScape Consultants, Inc., & the Citizens of Nassau County
What: Telecommunications Master Plan Initial Outreach Session
When:
Central Nassau: August 15, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097
East Nassau: August 16, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., American Beach Community Center, 1600 Julia Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
West Nassau: August 17, 2017 at 6;00 p.m., Callahan Fairgrounds Multi-purpose Facility, 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011

Project Description:
The Telecommunications Master Plan is a County-wide (including municipalities) Plan that identifies and assesses existing wireless communication facilities, determines gaps in existing coverage and provides recommendations for design and siting of future facilities.  The analysis will facilitate the development of a wireless telecommunications network that is efficient and will meet the future needs of Nassau County.  The purpose of the plan is to provide adequate network service while minimizing visual impacts of the telecommunications infrastructure and maintaining the aesthetics of the community.  The plan will also serve as a guide for developing planning policies for future wireless infrastructure.
 
Contact:
For more information contact Kristina Bowen with Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity at (904)530-6300 or [email protected].
 
Public participation is encouraged and sought without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or family status.  Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Kristina Bowen or Taco Pope at (904)530-6300 at least 7 days before the meeting.
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/2/17 @ 4:30 p.m. - We are pleased to announce that Nassau County has completed the necessary steps to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System. The CRS Program is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk. Property owners in the unincorporated areas of Nassau County who reside in a Special Flood Hazard Area can now enjoy a 10% reduction in flood insurance premiums for NFIP policies issued or renewed in Special Flood Hazard Areas on or after May 1, 2017. To determine your Flood Hazard Designation, please click here for a link to the Property Appraiser's Interactive Mapping tool.

Attached is a Press Release issued by the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity containing additional information about this exciting news! To view documents related to the CRS Program including brochures and fact sheets, please visit our website.

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Mason, Planner II for the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300 or via e-mail at [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Kailey Porter
Nassau County BOCC
(904)530-6300

Amelia River-to-Sea Trail (Simmons Road Multi-use Trail) Open House

Event:
Nassau County, the City of Fernandina Beach and Element Engineering Group will be hosting an Open House on March 2, 2017 from 5pm to 7pm at the American Beach Community Center to discuss the Amelia River-to-Sea Trail (Simmons Road Multi-use Trail) project. Element Engineering Group has completed the 30% plan design and needs additional public input to complete their work. Anyone interested in the project is encouraged to attend the Open House to review the plans, provide comments and ask questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Who: Nassau County Staff, City of Fernandina Beach Staff, Element Engineering Group Representatives, & the Citizens of Nassau County
What: Amelia River-to-Sea Trail Open House
When: March 2, 2017 from 5pm – 7pm
Why: To solicit public feedback on the 30% design plans for the Amelia River-to-Sea Trail project
Where: American Beach Community Center
       1600 Julia Street
       Amelia Island, FL 32034 

Project Description:
The River-to-Sea Trail is a 2.1 mile long separated asphalt trail with a varying width of 8’ to 10’ running from the Atlantic Ocean to the Inter-Costal Waterway (Amelia River) via the Crane Island Trail at the Ybor Alvarez Sports Complex. The trail will be located within the rights-of-way of Simmons Road and Bailey Road. The Amelia River-to-Sea Trail (Simmons Road Multi-use Trail) is centrally located and ideally situated on Amelia Island to provide a highly desired and much needed east/west corridor for non-vehicular travel. The proposed trail will serve both commuter and leisure users and ultimately reduce vehicular miles traveled on Amelia Island by providing connectivity with existing intersecting non-vehicular facilities located on the Amelia Island Parkway, 14th Street, Will Hardee Road, and Fletcher Avenue (all north/south corridors). This project will connect numerous residential developments to a wide variety of retail, service, and recreational opportunities. Notably, the pristine beaches of Amelia Island, the resort and dining amenities of south Amelia Island, the retail and service opportunities of central Amelia Island, the Ybor Alvarez Sports Complex, and the entrance to Crane Island.
 
Contact:
For more information contact Kailey Porter with Nassau County @ (904)530-6300 or [email protected].
 
Public participation is encouraged and sought without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Kailey Porter or Taco Pope at (904)530-6300 at least 7 days before the meeting.

01/29/17 at 2:30 p.m. - Nassau County is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Conditional Use & Variance Board, representing District Three. (see attached District Map)

The Conditional Use & Variance Board conducts public hearings and decides on applications for variances from the literal application of the zoning code when specific standards for review are found to be met. They also conduct public hearings and decide on applications for conditional use. A conditional use is one that, due to its nature, is reviewed on a parcel by parcel basis and that may have reasonable conditions attached as a condition of approval. The Conditional Use and Variance Board also hears and decides appeals from the decision of the Development Review Committee in the site plan and engineering review process.

The Conditional Use & Variance Board meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the James S. Page Governmental Complex located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee. Board members serve three (3) year terms and are required to file financial disclosure. Members are provided a monthly stipend of $75/month and are reimbursed for mileage at rates set by the Federal General Services Administration. That amount is currently $0.54 per mile through September 30, 2017.

If you are reside in District Three and are interested in being considered for this Board, please submit your resume to [email protected] by Friday, February 10th. Resumes will be provided to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration at an upcoming Board meeting. If selected, you will be contacted regarding any orientation requirements.

If you have questions regarding the Conditional Use & Variance Board, please contact the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties, has developed a Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan to address unmet regional transportation needs. The plan features projects to enhance and coordinate transit services across the region. Bicycle and pedestrian trail, highway, freight, and rail projects are also included.

The Commission is holding public hearings in each member county to receive public comments prior to plan adoption. A printed copy is available for review at the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission Office located at 980 North Jefferson Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Joe Stephenson, Executive Director, at (904) 306-7517 or via e-mail at [email protected].

You can also review the plan online at www.nefrtc.com.

Public Hearing Dates & Locations:

Thursday, December 8
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
St. Johns County Auditorium
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine

Monday, December 12
6:00 p.m.
Nassau County Commission Chambers
96135 Nassau Place, Yulee

Wednesday, December 14
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
North Florida TPO Board Room
980 N. Jefferson Street, Jacksonville

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office