Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
February 22, 2019
Crane Island is now part of the city of Fernandina Beach.
On Second and Final Reading at their February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) approved three ordinances (2018-33, -34 and -35) resulting in the annexation of Crane Island into the city of Fernandina Beach, changing the city’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) to low density residential and conservation for approximately 187.29 acres of land and assigning appropriate zoning categories.
All three ordinances were approved via unanimous votes.
Consistent with an amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paragraph III.C. The Range at Crane Island, LLC requested a voluntary annexation of approximately 187.29 acres of land located on the intracoastal waterway adjoining the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. The applicant further requested a large scale future land use map assignment of Low Density Residential and R-1 zoning district with a Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay zoning described in Nassau County Ordinances 2006-80 and 2013-16. Staff determined that the requested action was in compliance with the terms of the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding and subsequent 2005 Order of Dismissal (Willis, et al. v City of Fernandina Beach, Case No. 2000-14-CA, in the Circuit Court, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Nassau County), and the Amended 2008 MOU.
The three ordinances were approved at First Reading by the City Commission at a Regular Meeting in September 2018.
City Planning Manager Kelly Gibson and Crane Island attorney Emily Pierce addressed the FBCC on recommendations for changes in the ordinance provided by the state. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity following their review last fall suggested adding language limiting the number of potential homes to 169 and annotating maps as appropriate. Crane Island’s development plan called for only 113 homesites. Both the applicant and the city agreed to make these changes to the ordinance.
Audience member Julie Ferreira was the only audience speaker. She expressed her unhappiness with the development of Crane Island and asked that the city strictly enforce its tree ordinances on the property. She asked that the city arborist be empowered to shut down construction if any infractions are discovered. City Attorney Tammi Bach said that the Building Official is the only person empowered to issue a stop work order. City Planning Manager Kelly Gibson said that such orders relate to construction, not landscape issues. Bach agreed to study the issue.
Well Julie, it was a long hard fight. It will be interesting to see how the development and the City treats the eagle’s nest and the tree canopy. Since the County was able to issue a stop work order due to violations that were conservation related on the hotel on Sadler, I would hope the City would have the same power if something is found amiss on Crane Island.
Long live the tales of Miss Sarah Alice Broadbent.
On one hand the City argues to the public that we are struggling to find money (hint-Paid beach parking) to fix the things that haven’t been fixed and that as a city we can’t keep up with what we already own but yet we are now taking more into the city and allowing more residential development. No Paid Beach Parking
It is interesting. As Paul points out, the City and County have been crying for several years, that statistics show that residence Housing is a negative return on infrastructure investments, it just costs more to build roads, and utilities than permits, and taxes provide. Now we are going to maintain roads, build sewage, and a water system through swamp lands to an Island.? I guess if they drink water from the river, and have a two hole outhouse in the backyard this could be advantageous for the City. But these are Multi Million Dollar ( affordable Housing.?) Homes for the Rich and Infamous. Are the Developer footing the Bill for all those Services.?? Inquiring minds want to know.? BTY, How long before these property owners raise a stink about the planes flying in and out of our Airport. ?? You’ll know that’s gonna happen.
As Dene mentioned, all property owners will have to sign an avigation easement that prohibits them from taking any legal action against the City for operations coming from the airport. Won’t stop them from complaining.
The developer is responsible for building all the infrastructure and each builder will be paying impact fees to the City. Water/sewer system has the capacity to handle the development and there will be a tie-in to the existing lines that support the airport and run along AIParkway. John Mandrick can give you all the details.
Thank you Julie for continuing to ask questions about the demise of Crane Island. I have read all the plans to mitigate sensitive areas (eagle nests, archaeological sites, etc.) but I have wondered who is monitoring the developer to ensure the plans are followed. With regard to Steven Crounse’s statement about airplane complaints, the property owners can complain about the noise but they can’t do anything about it. The owners should read the due diligence reports about this issue.
Thanks, Julie! I couldn’t stay that long. I suspect the problems with Crane Island (now problems for the City) are just beginning. I rode through there about a month ago and observed A LOT of standing water. It hadn’t rained in about four days, so that didn’t look good to me. It’s a very sad story. Crane Island could have contributed to our island’s sustainability instead of damaging it. We are so short-sighted.