Press Release
By Nassau County Board of Commissioners
6/14/25
The Timber to Tides Design Overlay is the result of years of community planning and public engagement. It is designed to proactively manage growth along the SR 200/US 17 corridor, one of the County’s fastest-growing areas. The Overlay emphasizes walkable, connected communities, improves design standards, and creates a framework that supports economic development, housing diversity, and environmental sustainability. Rather than relying on outdated zoning tools, the Overlay uses form-based zoning, which prioritizes how development looks and functions in the community. This includes features like pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, mixed-use nodes, and context-sensitive architecture.
The foundation of Timber to Tides was laid as early as 2019 during the development of the State Road 200/A1A Master Corridor Plan. This process included public workshops, stakeholder meetings, and surveys spanning from 2019 to 2021. Since 2024, the County has held additional workshops, sent mailers to affected property owners, and held open houses specifically for the Timber to Tides Design Overlay draft documents leading up to the first public hearing with the Planning & Zoning Board (PZB).
Following the PZB Meeting on April 15, 2025, the County made targeted adjustments in response to the public and other stakeholder feedback that included:
–>Clarifications on vesting of existing developments
–>Phased improvements for trails and streetscapes
–>Administrative variances (up to 10%) on certain design parameters (setbacks, etc.)
The Board of County Commissioners held the first of two required public hearings on May 12, 2025, to consider adoption and transmittal of the Timber to Tides Design Overlay. The final hearing will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Commissioner Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. We encourage all residents and stakeholders to attend the June 23rd public hearing and learn more about how Timber to Tides is shaping Nassau County’s future.
All information related to the Timber to Tides Design Overlay including previous outreach efforts, presentations, engagement materials and drafts of the plan can be found on our website. Here you can also find a list of Frequently Asked Questions created to provide residents with a greater understanding of what these proposed standards mean to the community.
If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320.
