County staff present Vision 2050 plan to Fernandina Beach commission, adoption set for June 23

Nassau County Planning Director Elizabeth Beck and consultant Melissa Beaudry presented the county's Vision 2050 draft to the Fernandina Beach City Commission on May 20, outlining three growth scenarios and a preferred strategy that increases conservation areas and focuses new employment centers outside city limits.

Beck said the county board will consider adopting the plan on June 23 and that the public engagement period runs through May 23. She told the commission the draft does not propose substantial changes within Fernandina Beach city limits but does propose joint planning areas adjacent to the city to coordinate future initiatives.

Melissa Beaudry, senior planner at Half Associates, summarized the 18-month process, the three growth scenarios ("trend," "incremental" and "think big") and the final preferred scenario that emphasizes managed growth, mixed-use opportunities and conservation. She described tools available to the public, including an ArcGIS story map where residents can view maps, compare scenarios and leave comments, and said public comments will be included in an appendix to the final plan.

Commissioners did not ask follow-up questions after the presentation; county staff made themselves available for additional input. The presentation noted that the preferred scenario favors placing new commercial and mixed-use development where existing infrastructure (water, sewer, roads) supports it and identified mobility improvements and potential new highway access north of State Road 200 to relieve bottlenecks in the Yulee area.

The county plans a Board of County Commissioners workshop on June 9 followed by the adoption vote on June 23. Public comments on the draft remain open through May 23 via the project website and story map.