On April 24, 2023, Nassau County and Riverstone entered into a Settlement Agreement, essentially giving the green light to construction of eleven condominium towers, each at least 85 feet high on the south end of Amelia Island.
Community groups, including Amelia Tree Conservancy and the adjacent homeowner’s association immediately filed a suit to block that agreement. Litigation has continued for nearly two years.
Today, Judge Marriane Aho granted summary judgment to Riverstone and Nassau County, dismissing the lawsuit brought by community groups. Her ruling was based on her opinion that the Settlement Agreement was not a development order. Judge Aho reserved ruling on whether the Settlement Agreement was authorized under the Bert Harris Act.
If the judge’s final ruling is that the settlement was not authorized under the Bert Harris Act, that would represent a blow to the Settlement Agreement. It might force the County and Riverstone back to the drawing board. If the judge rules the settlement was authorized under the Bert Harris Act, we plan to appeal.
Our counsel is optimistic of a better result from the appeals court.
Our counsel is optimistic of a better result from the appeals court.
Lyn Pannone, President Amelia Tree Conservancy
Corky Hoffman, President Citizens Against Runaway Development