Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 16, 2016 11:51 a.m.
The Historic District Council (HDC) of the city of Fernandina Beach conceptually approved plans for an 80-room boutique hotel consisting of 3 residential floors above an 82-space parking garage on North Second Street during its December 15, 2016 Regular Meeting. The HDC added conditions to the conceptual approval, which will return to them for final approval at a future date. Those conditions include:
- Lowering the parapet height to the 42-inch maximum allowed under city code;
- Accounting for additional parking needs if the bar and dining room are open to the public;
- Minimizing the rooftop mechanical room at the NE corner of the roof to clearly indicate that the space is non-habitable, unconditioned space;
- Clearly indicating that the rooftop decorative pergolas are not roofed themselves.
This project first came before the HDC for conceptual review in January 2016. The architectural firm of Cotner Associates, Inc., represents the property owner, Amelia Historical District Hotel, LLC.
There are currently two structures on the property that were approved for demolition 6 years ago. Because the permits have expired, the HDC will consider new demolition certificates of approval at its January meeting.
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.
I don’t have any problem with small hotels downtown. Let them bring money and jobs. But this plan seems ugly and out of character to me. Won’t it have to conform to Historic District guidelines? If not, why not? Old tin warehouses don’t bother me because they are part of the scenery. This plan looks like it belongs at an airport, not in our downtown.
This looks just like all those beautiful Victorian style structures…oh wait, no; it looks like a piece of modern trash
Sound’s like a great Idea. I wonder how we are doing with the Alachua Street. Seems like it something that needs to be completed with this new addition downtown.
Sorry, this isn’t at all what we think of when considering historic-design architecture. It’s as though this is not in the Hisotric district!
I simply must believe that there is a lot more going on here than I can see, as the HDC is tasked with preserving the nature of the Historic District, not modernizing it.