During the regular session held on Monday, September 11, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners discussed their top regional priorities to be submitted to the NEFRC for the upcoming Legislative Session and the effects those priorities would have on the region. They are as follows:
Flood Mitigation/Resiliency
Background: The Nassau County Master Storm Water Plan provided an engineering analysis of the existing storm water management system and identified problematic riverine areas which have been impacted by subsequent storms. County code requires new and major improvements to be built to standards which reasonably protect from flood hazard and recent re-entry into the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System has incentivized the community to protect property, persons and natural floodplain functions from risk and hazard in flood prone areas. However older residences in Volume Sensitive Areas and problematic areas are acutely at risk for flood damage and personal danger.
Requested Action: Continue to prioritize funding and proactively assist local governments in their efforts to mitigate the impacts of flooding/sea level rise and create more resilient communities.
Effect: Funds for flood mitigation and proactive actions that promote resiliency will help local communities to retrofit or remove properties from high-risk areas thereby reducing the risks to persons or property.
Small, Rural, and Transitioning Counties Infrastructure Program Support
Background: Like many Florida counties, Nassau County is a rapidly transitioning coastal county that is in a hyper-growth situation. The rapid expansion of the population and correlating urbanization of rural lands has placed a significant strain on existing infrastructure and the need for investment into new infrastructure. In addition, the global pandemic shined light on the critical nature of universal access to broadband/highspeed internet.
Requested Action: Request the Legislature to enhance funding for small county transportation infrastructure programs such as SCOP and SCRAP Grants. These programs, and other similar programs, provide vital revenue for small counties to deliver critical transportation projects and keep up with the pace of growth. Additionally, it is requested that the Legislature aid in accessibility to broadband/highspeed internet and to make it attainable for everyone.
Effect: The allocation of additional funds and creation of more robust programs aimed at assisting small, rural and/or transitioning counties in the execution of infrastructure projects which will result in more resilient, sustainable and livable communities for the citizens and businesses of Florida.
Home Rule
Background: Home Rule is an important and vital component of city and county government that keeps state government from interfering on matters that should be regulated by local jurisdictions as officials know what is best for their areas and their citizens.
Requested Action: Nassau County respectfully requests that the Legislature fully assess the impacts of enacting legislation that limits local jurisdictional control over urban planning and design, land-use policy, protection of job creation land uses from residential development, impact fees, short-term/vacation rental, and other related matters as these types of issues are not universal and subject to the context of place.
Effect: Allowing local jurisdictions to apply regulations crafted in the unique context of each locality allows jurisdictions to leverage their uniqueness of place and capitalize on opportunities while at the same time creating more livable communities for our citizens.
Affordable Housing
Background: Housing affordability is a challenge across the United States. In Florida, the challenge is magnified by the rapid in-migration from other states. From 2016-2022, the median single-family home price has increased from $237,000 to $446,000. This challenge is not unique to Nassau County or the northeast Florida region. Housing affordability is a State-wide challenge and as such, the challenge of home affordability cannot be solved by local government alone.
Requested Action: Amend or repeal portions of the Live Local Act, specifically by reducing the affordability standard from 120% AMI to 80% AM. It’s also requested that instead of mandating government allow residential uses on lands with an Industrial Future Land Use Map designation or industrial zoning classification, that local governments be granted the option to allow residential uses on lands with an Industrial Future Land Use Map designation and/or Industrial Zoning Classfication in a broad manner, create targeted exemptions granting local governments a choice, as opposed to a State mandate.
Effect: 1) protection of job creating industrial lands that are critical to Florida's future economy; 2) maintain of mandates that allow affordable housing on commercial and mixed-use lands; 3) set an affordability rental rate standard that is affordable to the workforce based on local market conditions; and 4) allow local governments to meet the job creation requirements of previously awarded grants.
For additional information on these Legislative Priorities, please click here.
-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer