By Susan Hardee Steger
Photos by
Chris Whelan
May 24, 2018 5:43 p.m.
New Hotel
There seems to be a lot of activity on Sadler Road, so we decided to update you on two parcels; one is being developed, the other is up for a zoning change.
The Sadler Road area, home to three hotels, will soon have a fourth. Although not confirmed, word from an adjacent property owner is a Hilton Hotel is coming to the south side of Sadler Road just east of DeNucci’s Soft Serve Ice Cream. The Nassau County Planning Department is working with the developers. A voluntary annexation agreement will be signed with the City of Fernandina Beach so the hotel can connect to city water and sewer.
Hotels require big footprints for multiple rooms and extensive parking requirements, so trees were removed. Near the front of the property a number of trees are still standing. (An amendment to the Land Development Code (37.02) addressing tree protection and replacement, will not be heard by the Board of County Commissioners until June 11 at 6:00 p.m.)
Request for Zoning Change Parcel #00-00-30-0600-0002-0182 & Public Hearing
To the west of Denucci’s (see map) is a parcel also located in Nassau County. According to Sue Ann Alleger, county planner, the applicant “proposes to rezone approximately 0.88 acre from Residential Single-Family 2 (RS-2) to Commercial General (CG).”
A public hearing is schedule by the Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board on June 5, at 6:00 p.m. in the Nassau County Board of Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, Fl 32097.
Following the public hearing, BOCC will have the zoning change on their agenda for June 25, at 6:00pm or soon thereafter. The meeting will also be in the Commission Chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL, 30297.
As they say around here (a lot now), “Aw, crap”.
So here is how I think this all really works… A county parcel is purchased because there isn’t much in the way of a “tree protection” ordinance in place at this time for county land on the island. Developer comes in, scrapes the land bare to “pave paradise and put up a parking lot” because “hotels require big footprints for multiple rooms and extensive parking requirements”. After all the work is done, a “voluntary request” is made to annex to the city to take advantage of city services having avoided the city tree ordinance that would have protected many of trees on that parcel. Lather, rinse, repeat…. Winners in this equation are the developer, the City of FB and Hilton’s future hotel guests. Losers? The residents of Amelia Island. In point of fact, this particular parcel would have made an excellent choice for acquisition via a land trust and retirement as permanent green space, particularly because of it’s proximity to the Eagan’s Creek very near by. At the risk of repeating myself – What we allow is what will continue.
Excellent observation, Betsie! You hit the nail right on the head. The last parcel of zoned residential land complete with forest has just been put up for sale (two lots west) from the hotel. It’s at the corner of Ryan Road and Sadler Road. Now’s the time to let the commissioners of the city and county know that we want no part of another land clearing exercise by the county and developer only to have it be dumped on the city through annexation. There are two important meetings to attend on June 5 – one is the FBCC meeting and the other is the NC Zoning and Planning meeting out in Yulee. Please lets make our voices heard.
We’re all “focked” !!! The building won’t stop until all vacant land is gone . . . ordinances can be changed to suit the needs of the builder and the city or county. . . . follow the money !!!
So true
The island character and charm has been irrevocably diminished especially over the past ten years. The reason cited for the build out: economic development. For whom? Another multinational with plans to extract revenues while offering employment to bed makers and janitors who cannot afford to live here? Here is a clue for the development crowd: stable residential neighborhoods do not spring up around hotels, restaurants, and airports. “A nice place to visit” is not the same as a nice place to reside; it is that simple. Eventually the bills come due like the current reported $11 million shortfall in the county budget along with the need for more schools and services. Who pays, check your future property tax bills.
Betsie, well put and to the point. Never forget the crows will be counting every Taxi going past this place.
Please make your voices heard at the upcoming Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board meeting on June 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
We can put a stop to this with our voices and votes!
And while you’re at it, let’s keep the City Commissioners in the loop too.