"Contract Zoning" Pits County Against Its Citizens

Citizens Against Runaway Development (CARD), together with the Sanctuary Property Owners’ Association, has filed suit against Nassau County for, among other things, engaging in “contract zoning.” This occurs when a governmental body agrees with a private landowner like Riverstone to rezone property for consideration. In this case, the county granted new zoning rules to Riverstone in exchange for a 200-foot parcel of land at the south end of Riverstone’s property.

Instead of following the normal public process for changing zoning requirements, the Nassau County Attorney allegedly negotiated in total secrecy with Riverstone. The resulting agreement gives Riverstone the right to build eleven towers, each at least 85 feet high, on the south end of Amelia Island. It also gives Riverstone a long list of valuable concessions and a cash payment of $250,000.

Nassau County Attorney, Denise May, has retained a law firm in Tampa to defend the county. She is asking the citizen groups complaining of contract zoning and other things to pay all attorney fees incurred by the county.

The county is also asking Riverstone to join the suit against the citizen groups on Amelia Island. Presumably, the county will then ask the citizen groups to pay any legal fees incurred by Riverstone.

In its response filed with the court, the county has not addressed the allegations that it engaged in contract zoning and other wrongdoing.