Press Release
By Sandy Kerry, 3-3-25
The long-running Riverstone lawsuit appears to be nearing a resolution—one that many citizens hope will prevent the construction of 150 condominiums over 85 feet tall on the south end of Amelia Island. The second continued hearing on this matter is scheduled for today Monday, March 3, at 3 p.m. and is open to all citizens via Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/9618164987 (https://zoom.us/j/9618164987).
The outcome in this lawsuit is important because it was filed under the Bert Harris Act which many have claimed could be used by RYAM in litigation with the proposed bioethanol refinery.
Similarly, another proposed development, Ocean Gardens, is under consideration for rezoning by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on March 24 at 5 p.m. This proposal seeks approval for 55 townhomes on First Coast Highway on the south end of Amelia Island. Notably, this rezoning application has extended well beyond the 180-day statutory review period since its submission on September 12, 2024. Despite this, a continuance was requested on February 24 by county planning staff—not the applicant—on the grounds that the application was “not ready,” and this request was approved by the commission. Questions remain regarding the reasons for this delay, as the rezoning was legally advertised and scheduled for a February 24 hearing.
Concerns have been raised regarding several aspects of this rezoning process, including:
• An expired owner-agent authorization signature, which was noted at the December 17 P&Z hearing.
• A prolonged review period due to school concurrency mitigation issues.
• A change in ownership involving one of the three property owners.
• Reports of tree removal on the
property in the same week the public hearing notice was posted.
Given these issues, some citizens have questioned why the application has been allowed to proceed without requiring an amended or new submission. Additionally, there is public concern over the perceived preferential treatment in handling such applications, particularly in light of past legal settlements.
Regarding the Riverstone matter, two settlement agreements have been reached, with the second including additional concessions and covering attorney fees of $250,000, funded by taxpayers. The second agreement, which is the subject of the current lawsuit, was approved by four county commissioners—Martin, Farmer, Gray, and Huppman—following an initial offer made by County Attorney Denise May. Commissioner Allyson McCullough was the sole vote against the second settlement agreement.
Returning to the Ocean Gardens project, concerns persist over the impact of increased density on First Coast Highway, particularly among residents of the Amelia City area. Questions continue to arise about Nassau County’s approach to growth management, infrastructure planning, and the consistent application of zoning and land-use laws. Many residents believe that land-use decisions should balance the rights of all property owners—both those developing land and those affected by such developments.
Citizens who wish to express their opinions on these matters are encouraged to attend the upcoming BOCC hearing and engage with their elected officials.
