Land Use
Why are land use regulations important?
In the face of changing weather patterns, flooding, storm surge & sea level rise, the future of our low-lying county depends on optimization of our economic, environmental and social sustainability and resilience.
The dramatic increase in development and density in our county poses a threat to our environment, economy, quality of life, safety, property values, and more.
The Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code are the most important legal documents in Fernandina Beach and Nassau County and are therefore critical determinants of our future.
We need to update our legal documents to reflect current knowledge regarding our environment and economy.
Nassau County
Since the formation of the Comp Plan/LDC Working Group, we have provided input to County staff regarding the importance of our tree canopy and wildlife habitat/corridors, Little NaNa dune and aeolian forces, permitting development in wetlands and along the Amelia River without adequate buffers, permitting septic in sensitive environments with little regulation and many other topics.
The new Director of Planning, Elizabeth Backe, is now on board. She has considerable environmental experience, so we are looking forward to working with her. Gabriel Quintas remains Assistant Director. Interim Director Holly Coyle will be returning to her responsibilities in the Strategic Advancement Department.
Another revision of the Amelia Island Tree Protection Ordinance is under way in an effort to strengthen it and ensure it is in line with recent legislative changes. The first public discussion of the draft took place at the Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission meeting on Aug. 2. The draft document is attached to the agenda. Conserve Nassau also presented feedback on the draft at the meeting. Amelia Island Tree Protection & Replacement Ordinance is the existing ordinance.
This discussion of the updated ordinance resumed at the March 6, 2024, meeting of the Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission.
Public input will be taken on May 22, at 5:00.
CN has submitted the following updated comments:
The first major undertaking of the Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission will be the development of a Tree Planting Plan. Urban Forester Joe Pitcheralle and Assistant Planning Director Gabriel Quintas are gathering the data needed to lay a foundation for this plan. Conserve Nassau submitted fundamental priorities for such a plan.
Thomas Creek Implementation Plan
A relief plan was adopted on March 27 for local homeowners and is a model for avoiding and resolving such cases in the future. Data gathering is a strong element in the plan, using USGS rain gauge/stream height monitors and conducting stormwater modeling of the watersheds in the county in an effort to reduce their FEMA CRS rating from 7 to 4. Concerns include spraying of vegetation and possible dredging.
The Okefenokee Swamp is a national and international treasure. It is a National Wilderness Area and a National Natural Landmark, a designation reserved for “the best examples of biological and geological features” in the country. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is recognized internationally as a “Wetland of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention.
Twin Pines Minerals is seeking permits to strip-mine thousands of acres of land for titanium dioxide adjacent to the boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. TPM’s proposed mine endangers this world-class resource with direct and substantial potential consequences to the hydrology of the swamp and habitats across the region.
Learn more from the Southern Environmental Law Center's comprehensive comments opposing the draft permits.
and Read Conserve Nassau's Letter of Concern.
Underwater: Could climate change chaos sink the US real estate market?
Have you ever wondered why the building boom continues in areas that are subject to negative climate impacts, or what variables determine this? This article provides a good overview of those variables that drive this complex market: the home buyer, developer and realtors, as well as local government leaders and federal government subsidies and incentives. The latter part of the article is most important for us: what local residents can do to make changes in this system by exerting sufficient pressure to influence land use policies.
Riverstone Properties Communications
Fernandina Beach
Phase I: Following The April 2019 City of Fernandina Beach (COFB) Evaluation and Review (EAR) public input sessions, facilitated by Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) Amelia Tree Conservancy (ATC) put out a call for volunteers representing a wide array of interests and affiliations. We submitted our working draft to the PAB on February 10, 2021 along with a series of public webinars and community discussion sessions. (See the Resource box below.)
Phase II: In collaboration with their consultants, the City decided to develop a detailed Vision Plan, from which the Comp Plan and Land Development would be constructed. Our group provided regular input. (See the resource box below.)
Phase III: The Comp Plan/LDC Working Group (now the Land Use initiative of Conserve Nassau) is currently researching and writing input for the COFB Land Development Code and planning for updates to our Comp Plan drafts.
Flooding on Front Street
Historic downtown Fernandina Beach is subject to flooding from storm events. In this presentation, coastal geomorphologist and civil engineer Frank Hopf explains the potential extent of flooding and the effectiveness of a recent flood wall.
Viewpoints and Communications
Challenges and qualifications for hiring a Fernandina Beach City Manager
The City Charter provides general guidelines for Commissioners on the hiring of a City Manager; however, Commissioners and the Search Committee need to identify specific criteria based on current needs. Here is our perspective on the challenges that need to be addressed in Fernandina Beach and the expertise needed to address those challenges.
Priorities for joint meetings of the Planning Advisory Board and the Historic District Council
Regular meetings of the PAB and HDC are critical to provide the priorities and interface we need for building a sustainable future.
The “Third and Beech” Tringali properties
Within the immediate viewshed of the historic district, changes to those parcels will substantially impact the historic district in as real and as concrete a way as they would if they were within the linear boundary of the historic district. They will also impact perceptions of our commercial downtown.
Proposed Amelia River Club/FPU Solar Farm
While those of us in Conserve Nassau are supportive of solar energy, we are strongly opposed to a solar farm in this particular location, where considerable tree canopy would be removed.
Land Use Resources
-
Community engagement in the Fernandina Beach Comprehensive Plan.
-
Are local governments handcuffed by the Florida Bert Harris Act?
-
Nassau County Appraiser's maps provide a wealth of mapped information.
-
Amelia Island Impervious Surfaces with other layers including wetlands, hydric soils, elevations, and land parcels.