Senate bill would allow unlimited density, building height on Amelia island

By Mike Lednovich A proposed Florida State Senate bill directed specifically to barrier islands like Amelia Island, would supersede county and city density and height restrictions if passed. The bill, proposed by State Senator Barbara Sharief, D-Miramar, seeks to significantly loosen restrictions on redevelopment on barrier islands. The bill, an amendment to section 553.8991 of […]

Publix Goes for Expansion Allowed by New Code Changes

By Mike Lednovich Just days after the city commission voted to change the City Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code to allow for unlimited sized shopping centers, Publix announced it will demolish its current building and construct a larger grocery store. According to the City Planning Department, both the city and the St. Johns River […]

RYAM documents challenge bioethanol opinion and decision making process

By Mike Lednovich Attorneys for Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) claim the company is being denied “due process” in its bid to build a $50 million bioethanol production plant and that an outside opinion obtained by Fernandina Beach that the facility violates the Land Development Code is not factual and “non-binding.” In a 117-page filing by […]