Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
May 1, 2017 6:35 a.m.
At their April 27, 2017 meeting, the Historic District Council (HDC) of the city of Fernandina Beach unanimously approved a request for demolition of a decaying, contributing structure at 712 San Fernando Street in the Old Town Historic District. They also gave unanimous conceptual approval for the new construction of three residences in Old Town, one of which will replace the demolished structure with the other two to be built on currently vacant lots. There was no public comment.
The HDC provides a conceptual review to applicants as a courtesy at no extra cost in advance of final review. The purpose of the conceptual review is to allow the HDC to voice significant objections or raise questions that might change the direction of the project prior to costly construction drawings being executed.
Although applicant and property owner Bill Kavanaugh would like to begin work immediately, he must await final HDC approval in May as well as Building Department review leading to permits which will add 30 days to his waiting period. While the HDC approved the designs with respect to style and massing, they await more specific details on materials before considering final review. During their conceptual review they attached a requirement that the new homes be built on piers, not stem walls or slabs. But they allowed Kavanaugh to begin deconstruction of the structure at 712 San Fernando Street prior to final approval due to the condition of the structure. Deconstruction, as opposed to demolition, will allow Kavanaugh to salvage original beams or other usable wood for reuse in the new construction, if possible.
Old Town Fernandina’s historic claim to fame is that it was the last Spanish-platted city in the Western Hemisphere (1811). The street grid, the only remaining vestige of the Spanish occupation, qualified Old Town for listing as a site on the National Register of Historic Places. Until the arrival of the Florida Railroad Company just prior to the American Civil War, Old Town was the main island settlement. The 36-acre site today lies between the Amelia River and North 14th Street. It is bordered on the north by Egans Creek and the south by Westrock and Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Although there is no remaining architecture dating to the Spanish period, history buffs and citizens successfully lobbied the city to have it included in a local historic district as a means of protecting it from inappropriate development which could have jeopardized the surviving Spanish grid system. Old Town has its own zoning designations and its own set of design guidelines for rehabilitating existing structures and building new ones.
Over the years, interest in building in Old Town has waxed and waned, reflecting the vagaries of the housing market. Bill and Anne Kavanaugh, owners of much of the undeveloped Old Town property, have been attempting since 2009 to build an inventory of home designs that are reflective of the different historical periods of the Old Town and that fit the scale of the lots and existing dwellings.
During his presentation before the HDC Bill Kavanaugh talked about his abiding interest in the history and historic preservation in both Old Town and present day downtown historic district of Fernandina Beach. He and his wife Anne painstakingly restored their home on North 6th Street. Dating to the late 1850’s, this house has remained in Kavanaugh’s family through 7 generations.
In response to HDC member questions regarding his plans for residential development on other Old Town lots, Kavanaugh said he intends to draw on designs provided in design charrettes held in 2009, during which several architects from the Southeast and Caribbean presented designs for homes that would both fit on the small lots and also reflect different kinds of designs that the area might have seen during its history, including some Spanish style homes.
The designs presented to the HDC reflect some of the existing Old Town dwellings. The size of the three dwellings submitted for conceptual approval provide 1,800-2,200 square feet of living space. Kavanaugh stressed that each design has been specifically selected for the lot on which it will be built. There will be different types of designs for corner lots than interior lots. He also plans to maximize view corridors.
Following the meeting, Kavanaugh indicated that the first homes would be offered for sale in the $400,000 range.
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.
Westrock refers not to a specific street in OT but to the Westrock Paper Mill (which has undergone numerous changes in both name and ownership over the years). At that property border is the end of Estrada Street, just past Garden Street.
Old Fernandina is a Diamond in the Rough. Full of potential. This could be just what the Doctor Ordered to kick off a revitalization of that Historic Community. Looks to me like the Kavanaugh’s are good stewards of this Community. Looking forward to seeing these Homes Completed.
As a former resident of OT, I take umbrage with your conclusions about the Kavanaugh’s, who have collectively bought up or bought out almost half of Old Fernandina. And the proposal went before the HDC chaired by a resident of OT who does not, in my personal opinion, have the heart and soul of OT (and its rich history) at heart.