Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
January 21, 2016 1:10 p.m.
At its January 19, 2016 Regular Meeting the Fernandina Beach City Commission passed two ordinances on second and final reading. Ordinance 2015-24, which was passed unanimously, enacted amendments to the Comprehensive Plan pertaining to the recreation and open space element. The amendments reflect findings and recommendations of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, approved by the FBCC and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity last year. There was no discussion.
Ordinance 2015-35, which amended the Land Development Code specific to provisions regulating the development of the Amelia River Waterfront Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), was enacted on a 3-2 vote, with both Commissioner Tim Poynter and Mayor Johnny Miller dissenting. This ordinance adjusts the point system for density bonuses and allows parking in view corridors.
Environmental activist Julie Ferreira was the only public speaker on this ordinance. She recapped the extensive community process during which the existing density bonuses were established in 2005-6. She felt that it was “rude” to move beyond what the people wanted at that time, and called for greater community input on the proposed changes.
Vice Mayor Robin Lentz responded. She advised Ferreira that over the last year the proposed changes have been discussed during CRA Advisory Board meetings, which are noticed meetings open to the public. She added that the proposed changes had been run past Florida professor Bill Tilson, the author of the CRA design guidelines, who took no issue with the proposed changes. Senior Planner Kelly Gibson said that the Historic District Council and the Planning Advisory Board also reviewed the proposed changes. Commissioner Len Kreger also responded in support of the change.
In opposing this ordinance, Poynter said that without a specific development project on the horizon, such changes are premature and that the ordinance “puts the cart before the horse.”
“Every time we do something like this,” Poynter said, “the next [potential developer] who comes in needs something, we just missed meeting the developer’s need by one parking space or something like that. Then we are right back where we are now in having to go for variances. I’d just as soon leave it as it is. We are always trying to guess what might happen down the road. A bad way to run a railroad.”
Miller, who also opposed the ordinance, did not cite his reasons.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.