By Kate Kimmel
The Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend approval of a rezoning plan that would allow significant development on 3,052 acres of agricultural timberland between Interstate 95 and Griffin Road in Yulee on Oct. 8.
The proposal is part of the county’s “Timber to Tides Design Overlay,” a planning and zoning framework that promotes suburban and urban development along the State Road 200/A1A corridor. While the board’s vote advances the proposal, final approval will come from the Nassau County Board of Commissioners.
“The Timber to Tides strategy will create a corridor with walkable, connected communities,” said Elizabeth Back of the Nassau County Planning Department. “Development in this area will reduce automobile dependency and lessen traffic congestion on State Road 200.”
The rezoning plan divides the property into eight transects, each with a distinct zoning designation. The largest include:
- Suburban area: 860.37 acres
- Wetland preservation and natural zone: 667.18 acres
- Central Nassau Employment Center area: 633.97 acres
The remaining areas would be zoned for urban uses: 466.58 acres as urban transitional, 167.03 acres as urban general, 6.28 acres as urban center and 130.39 acres as urban corridor.
If approved, the plan would open hundreds of acres for housing and business development, which Back said aligns with the county’s growing population.
However, the proposal drew sharp criticism from residents and supporters of Paramount Adaptive Riding Center, a therapeutic horse-riding facility for children and adults with disabilities, veterans with PTSD and others who benefit from equine-assisted therapy.
Paramount’s property, located on Wildwood Road in the middle of the proposed development area, is currently surrounded by dense woods. Ten Nassau County residents spoke on the center’s behalf during the meeting, saying that nearby construction and development would destroy the center’s peaceful environment.
“Our concern is having so many neighbors so close to us, construction noise and the potential for pets to wander onto our property,” said founder Krista Jurkovitch. “It will also hurt our ability to grow.”
Planning board members suggested that Paramount purchase the 10 acres of private land adjacent to its property, but Jurkovitch said the owner has been unwilling to sell. Board members then recommended that the center work directly with Raydient Places and Properties LLC, the company developing the surrounding land.
A public hearing date has not been yet set for the Board of County Commissioners to hear the rezoning plans.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
