It's official: FBCC has annexed Crane Island into the city.

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

February 22, 2019

Crane Island is located in the Amelia River adjacent to the city's airport.

Crane Island is now part of the city of Fernandina Beach. 

On Second and Final Reading at their February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) approved three ordinances (2018-33, -34 and -35) resulting in the annexation of Crane Island into the city of Fernandina Beach, changing the city’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) to low density residential and conservation for approximately 187.29 acres of land and assigning appropriate zoning categories.

All three ordinances were approved via unanimous votes. 

Consistent with an amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paragraph III.C. The Range at Crane Island, LLC requested a voluntary annexation of approximately 187.29 acres of land located on the intracoastal waterway adjoining the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. The applicant further requested a large scale future land use map assignment of Low Density Residential and R-1 zoning district with a Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay zoning described in Nassau County Ordinances 2006-80 and 2013-16. Staff determined that the requested action was in compliance with the terms of the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding and subsequent 2005 Order of Dismissal (Willis, et al. v City of Fernandina Beach, Case No. 2000-14-CA, in the Circuit Court, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Nassau County), and the Amended 2008 MOU.

City Planning Manager Kelly Gibson (l) and attorney Emily Pierce indicate agreement with state recommended changes to the ordinance.

The three ordinances were approved at First Reading by the City Commission at a Regular Meeting in September 2018.

City Planning Manager Kelly Gibson and Crane Island attorney Emily Pierce addressed the FBCC on recommendations for changes in the ordinance provided by the state. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity following their review last fall suggested adding language limiting the number of potential homes to 169 and annotating maps as appropriate.  Crane Island’s development plan called for only 113 homesites.  Both the applicant and the city agreed to make these changes to the ordinance.

Julie Ferreira

Audience member Julie Ferreira was the only audience speaker.  She expressed her unhappiness with the development of Crane Island and asked that the city strictly enforce its tree ordinances on the property.  She asked that the city arborist be empowered to shut down construction if any infractions are discovered.  City Attorney Tammi Bach said that the Building Official is the only person empowered to issue a stop work order.  City Planning Manager Kelly Gibson said that such orders relate to construction, not landscape issues.  Bach agreed to study the issue.