Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permits And Approvals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic District Council approves Center Street project, grants conceptual OKs for other downtown builds
Summary
The HDC granted final approval for the Center Street building with a condition requiring the true brick shown in the drawings, approved conceptual plans for a two‑story building at 9 North 3rd Street and approved a new single‑family home at 1111 White Street and renovations at 515 Center Street; votes were unanimous on the recorded motions.
The Historic District Council on June 27 approved final and conceptual permits for several downtown projects, imposing a condition that the Center Street building use the true brick shown in submitted drawings.
Director Gibson and city staff presented HDC case 2022‑0076, a two‑part file covering a final‑approval request for a Center Street structure and a conceptual review for a narrow two‑story building at 9 North 3rd Street. Benjamin Morrison, agent for the applicant, told the board the most significant change since conceptual review was a decision to use a full brick façade rather than a partial brick/stucco exterior. “We feel like it fits with the context of Downtown Fernandina,” Morrison said.
Member Pozzetta said ensuring the brick remains in the finished work was central to his vote: he moved to approve the Center Street final approval “with the condition that the true brick shown in the drawings is used,” and the board adopted findings of fact and conclusions of law to support final approval. The motion passed on a recorded roll call with all five voting members recorded as yes.
On the same case file the board separately granted conceptual approval for the proposed two‑story building at 9 North 3rd Street (HDC2022‑0076, conceptual). Staff noted the project will still require technical review committee (TRC) review and a local development order prior to permit issuance.
The council also considered HDC2024‑0011, a final request to construct a new 2½‑story single‑family home at 1111 White Street. Architect Anne Pittman described the design as a reduced reuse of a nearby Artisan Homes model; board members asked for foundation, porch and wall‑section details to ensure the built porch matches the approved look. The motion to approve included conditions requiring submission of supporting details to staff and passed unanimously.
Finally, the board approved a rehabilitation of the mid‑century, non‑contributing structure at 515 Center Street for First Presbyterian (HDC2024‑0014). Architect Jose Miranda said the design uses a breathable Romabio coating to change the brick color while allowing the wall to breathe; the board approved the project as presented.
The approvals are subject to the standard TRC and building permit checks; where members required additional documentation (for example, foundation or typical wall sections), staff will review those materials during permit and TRC review before work proceeds.
