Nassau County Draft Beach Ordinance to be presented Monday night, September 14, 2020

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

September 13, 2020

Photo: Courtesy Florida Memory Project, Dept. of Commerce Collection

Item U on the agenda for the September 14, 2020 Meeting of the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is consideration of a new beach ordinance, which would  rescind existing ordinances addressing restrictions for driving and parking in the unincorporated areas of Nassau County beaches as well as providing regulations for use of these beaches.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.  The agenda for this meeting is extensive, and the discussion on the beach ordinance comes toward the end of the meeting.  However, often agenda items are moved forward if large numbers of citizens attend or otherwise express interest in those items.

 The Sections of the Draft Ordinance include:

1. Motorized Vehicles on the Atlantic Ocean Beaches
2. Camping on the Beach
3. Primitive Group Camping on Off Beach Area
4. Regulated Fires on the Beach
5. Alcohol
6. Glass Containers
7. Litter
8. Authority to Close or Restrict Use of the Beach and Ocean
9. Sound Amplification
10. Beachfront Parking Areas
11. Horses
12. Dogs
13. Definitions

Those desiring to address any of the proposed changes are encouraged to read the draft ordinance in advance of the meeting.  The draft ordinance is 21 pages long, and may be seen in its entirety on the County Website by clicking on this link https://nassaucounty.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=6865&MeetingID=622 and then downloading the file. 

The following information is taken from the County Website:

People are reminded BOCC meetings are open to the public, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited seating.  The public can still participate by utilizing one of the following methods:

• If you have comments you want read into the record, email them to comments@nassaucountyfl.com Include your name and address. Comments will be reviewed and submitted.
• If you want to be called during the meeting to talk live to the commissioners, please email comments@nassaucountyfl.com Provide your name and address, the topic you would like to discuss and a phone number. Or you can also leave a voicemail at 904-530-6009. Provide your name, number and the topic you are calling about at 904-530-6009. We will call you during the meeting.