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Judge orders Riverstone opponents to pay $291,000 legal fees in Amelia Island condo fight
A Nassau County Circuit Court judge has ordered a key opponents group in the long-running Riverstone condominium dispute to pay nearly $300,000 in attorney fees and costs, delivering a significant financial setback to residents who fought one of the most controversial development proposals on Amelia Island.
The award includes $277,356 in attorney fees, $10,365.57 in prejudgment interest, and $3,465.96 in costs, with additional post-judgment interest to accrue under Florida law.
The project site sits on the south end of Amelia Island along the Amelia Island Parkway corridor, near Amelia Island State Park and adjacent to the Sanctuary — a low-density, environmentally sensitive residential enclave within the Omni Amelia Island Resort area.
Concerns raised by opponents included increased traffic along the already constrained Amelia Island Parkway, stormwater runoff into nearby marsh systems, and impacts to wildlife habitat in one of the island’s most ecologically sensitive corridors.
The groups challenged Nassau County’s approval of Riverstone, arguing the project was inconsistent with the county’s comprehensive plan and incompatible with surrounding land uses.
The case became a flashpoint in the broader debate over growth on Amelia Island — balancing development rights against environmental protection and neighborhood character.
According to court filings, the parties later reached an agreement on the amount, avoiding a scheduled evidentiary hearing on fees.
The plaintiffs did not contest the final amount, allowing the court to enter judgment.
The court also retained jurisdiction to pursue enforcement actions, including garnishment and other collection proceedings.
For residents of the Sanctuary and surrounding areas, the fight was about preserving the character and environmental integrity of the island’s south end. For Riverstone and county officials, it centered on property rights and adherence to existing development regulations.
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Editor
Next Wednesday there is another hearing before Judge Aho, where Nassau County is claiming more than $510,000 in legal fees and expenses. The county is seeking reimbursement from the plaintiffs in this matter - The Sanctuary Property Owners’ Association, Inc., CARD and Amelia Tree Conservancy. These fees and expenses have all been billed to Nassau County by a small firm in Tampa.
It should be noted that the plaintiffs have spent substantially less than the county on two law firms, Gray Robinson and Smith Gambrell. The specific details will come out at Wednesday’s hearing. The several hundred thousand dollars spent by the plaintiffs have all been donated over the past three years by individual citizens on Amelia Island, opposed to the towers on the south end.
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Tuesday, April 28 Report this
Editor
Under the supervision of the County Attorney, Nassau County has apparently incurred more than $1,000,000 in legal fees over the past three years getting permission for Riverstone to build the towers. In addition to the $510,000 being sought on Wednesday, this includes $250,000 committed to reimbursing Riverstone, more than $100,000 to the County Attorney’s old law firm in Jacksonville, and fees incurred by the Tampa firm on appeals and since last November.
Remember that Commissioners Martin (representing the north end of Amelia Island) and Huppman (representing the south end of Amelia Island) both voted to green-light the Riverstone towers. As commissioners, they supervise the actions of the County Attorney. All this has occurred despite near unanimous public opposition.
Tuesday, April 28 Report this