Developer pitches gated 'storage condo' community at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport; commissioners press tree‑mitigation

Chase Edwards, representing a project called Paddocks/Amelia, presented a plan to lease a small, treed parcel adjacent to Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport for a privately owned cluster of climate‑controlled storage 'condos,' a clubhouse and limited support facilities. Edwards described units up to 25 by 50 feet with insulated interiors, potential mezzanines, and a gated community model in which individual units would be sold and a homeowners association would manage common areas.

Nate Coyle, the airport's interim manager, outlined federal constraints that apply to airport property. He told commissioners that airport land is federally obligated for aeronautical use and that any non‑aeronautical lease requires FAA approval; the FAA will evaluate whether the proposed non‑aeronautical use would risk future aeronautical demand for the leased parcel. Coyle said staff brought the application to the commission before beginning appraisal or lease negotiations so the commission could indicate whether it wants staff to pursue a formal lease process and FAA review.

Commissioners pressed the developer on the site's condition and environmental effects. The parcel described in the application sits at the end of a cul‑de‑sac off Jamestown Road and is currently densely treed; Edwards acknowledged the interior of the proposed development would require clearing and estimated that several acres of trees could be affected. One commissioner said, "You're going to cut down three acres of trees," and Commissioner Toobin warned clearing mature trees could worsen local flooding and urged the applicant to consider other commercial parcels across the city.

Edwards said the project team is willing to consider tree‑mitigation measures, including leasing adjacent property to allow replanting or preserving perimeter buffers. He also noted the airport advisory committee had given the concept a unanimous recommendation and said the development is intended to complement Amelia Island events and an existing local collector market for storage of boats, RVs and collector vehicles.

After discussion the commission did not direct staff to negotiate a lease that night. Instead, commissioners challenged the applicant to seek alternate parcels and to return with additional information on mitigation and site options. Coyle said the airport would follow a regimented process — including appraisals and FAA land‑use change notice — if the commission asks staff to proceed.