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
There is a meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board serving as the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for the 2050 Vision Plan on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 5:00-6:00 in County Chambers.
In Florida, a city or county’s vision plan is a foundation for the periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, two of the most important local documents governing land use. This year, Nassau County is identifying citizen priorities for its Vision 2050 Draft.
Conserve Nassau submitted comments. We do not feel that the various elements of our economic, environmental and social context are interrelated at a depth sufficient to achieve reliable sustainability or resilience planning. It is particularly essential that the geographic nature of our county and expert future projections related to weather and climate be thoroughly integrated into the foundation of our planning. Without this, citizens have an inadequate basis for responding to the alternative scenarios presented.
Click on image for interactive map
Fernandina Beach Downtown
Click on image for Vision 2050 Community Memorandum
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.
Amelia Island Tree Protection Ordinance: Following considerable effort to update the Amelia Island Tree Protection Ordinance, this project has now been deferred.
Amelia Island Tree Protection & Replacement Ordinance is the existing ordinance.
August 2, 2023 draft document
Conserve Nassau feedback on the August draft
March 6 & May 22, 2024 committee discussion
Conserve Nassau Input:
Tree Planting Plan: The first major undertaking of the Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission was scheduled to be the development of a Tree Planting Plan. Urban Forester Joe Pitcheralle and Planning staff have been gathering the data needed to lay a foundation for this plan. Hopefully, this will begin in 2025. 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.
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.
Jacksonville Florida Times Union
10/21/2024
Riverstone Properties Communications
Fernandina Beach
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.
Land Use Resources
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Community engagement in the Fernandina Beach Comprehensive Plan.
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Are local governments handcuffed by the Florida Bert Harris Act?
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Nassau County Appraiser's maps provide a wealth of mapped information.
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Amelia Island Impervious Surfaces with other layers including wetlands, hydric soils, elevations, and land parcels.