Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
On January 9, the Technical Review Committee of the City of Fernandina Beach met to discuss plans to expand by 13 spaces an existing parking lot behind the church offices of St Michael’s Catholic Church located at North 5th and Broome Streets. The parking lot expansion on church owned property is in anticipation of possible expansion of the St Michael’s Church sanctuary. In the event the sanctuary is expanded, more parking places will be required.
Jose Miranda, agent for St. Michael’s, announced that the church has decided not to pursue the possibility of adding 6 parking spaces in the city right of way on the NE corner of Broome and 5th Street.
Deputy City Manager Marshall McCrary informed the audience that city staff will bring its recommendations for alleviating the bigger problems of neighborhood traffic flow, parking and safety to a city commission workshop in February. It is expected the meeting will take place February 4 or 18, preceding the regularly scheduled city commission meeting.
Miranda acknowledged at a previous Historic District Commission meeting that traffic flow problems do exist in the area, and that he was working with the City to develop solutions to parking concerns should the sanctuary expansion take place (no permits have been issued).
January 9, 2014 1:47 p.m.