FBCC approves one-year moratorium on applications to change the FLUM 

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
March 7, 2019 2:00 p.m.

Following approval on First Reading at their February 5, 2019 Regular Meeting, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) voted unanimously to impose a one-year, temporary moratorium on processing applications to change the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) in the city’s Comprehensive Plan so that the community, the City Commission, and City staff can review and recommend changes, if appropriate (Ordinance 2019-5).  This measure was recommended by the city’s Planning Advisory Board in January to give staff opportunity to identify and correct discrepancies that complicate approval of applications.  Unless the FBCC opts for a 6-month extension to this time frame, the moratorium will sunset on February 5, 2020.

The moratorium does not affect the following:

a. The continued processing of applications for FLUM amendments for which a completed application with fees paid was received prior to the effective date of the ordinance.

b. Staff-initiated applications for FLUM amendments related to correcting the FLUM map in keeping with the provisions under which this ordinance has been established or assigning future land use for annexations or assigning FLUM categories of “Conservation (CON)” or “Recreation (REC)” or “Public and Institutional (PI)”.

c. Applications for FLUM amendments when the request is to change future land use to “Conservation (CON)”, “Recreation (REC)”, or “Public and Institutional (PI)”.

d. Applications for FLUM amendments when the request accompanies an application for annexation into the City’s jurisdictional limits.

e. The processing and issuance of building permits, site development plans, plats (preliminary or final), rezoning applications not affecting the FLUM including Planned Unit Development (PUD) requests, approval of development agreements, Certificates of Approval for variances heard by the Board of Adjustment or variances and design review heard by the Historic District Council, and issuance of Local Business Tax Receipts (LBTRs).

No one spoke during the public hearing, and the FBCC passed the measure with no discussion on a 5-0 vote.

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.