Atlantic Beach introduces new principal planner focused on flooding, saltwater intrusion and code changes

Payton Jamieson, the newly hired principal planner and environmental coordinator for the City of Atlantic Beach, introduced herself to the Environmental Stewardship Committee on Nov. 12, saying she wants to focus on flooding, green infrastructure and the city’s zoning code.

“I’m the new principal planner and environmental coordinator here for the city of Atlantic Beach,” Jamieson said, describing academic work in biology and marine science and a prior role in Jacksonville’s resilience office. She told the committee she performed vulnerability assessments and GIS work in Jacksonville and wants to apply similar tools in Atlantic Beach.

Jamieson highlighted near-term priorities: understanding local flooding patterns, developing green-infrastructure pilot projects to mitigate stormwater impacts, and studying saltwater intrusion impacts on drinking-water supplies. She said part of her aim is “to get something in code” so resilience measures remain in place over time.

Committee members asked about specific projects and local differences between Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville’s planning framework. Jamieson said Jacksonville’s code was larger and more detailed, while Atlantic Beach’s comp plan and ordinances appeared more generalized, and she anticipated tailoring solutions to the city’s built character.

Why it matters: Atlantic Beach is facing recurring coastal stressors, and Jamieson’s dual role as planner and environmental coordinator positions the city to move from assessment to municipal policy changes. The committee and staff signaled interest in marsh-protection work and green-infrastructure pilots tied to the FY 2026–27 budget cycle.

The committee asked Jamieson to work with staff on upcoming items, including marsh‑pilot planning and the December commission report, and to help frame policy language commissioners can review before ordinance drafting.