Fernandina Beach planning board recommends approval of nine‑lot final plat amid tree‑loss and flooding concerns

The Fernandina Beach Planning Advisory Board voted unanimously Dec. 11 to recommend that the City Commission approve a final plat for a proposed nine‑lot subdivision at 1110 South 13th Street (PAB 2024‑411), moving the proposal — eight townhomes and one single‑family dwelling on about 1.29 acres — forward in the approval process.

Planning staff presented the final plat and recommended approval, saying the application is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the development code. Planning staff said the preliminary plat had been recommended for approval on Aug. 14, 2024, and the technical review committee had completed review and issued the local development order on Oct. 4, 2024.

During discussion, board members asked detailed questions about tree removal and mitigation. Planning staff said the site contains 88 trees, of which 38 would be removed, 33 would be retained (capped) and 17 were rated as poor or invasive. Staff quantified removed‑tree diameter at about 409 inches total and noted that mitigation is calculated on inches of canopy; code requires mitigation of 50% of removed inches (about 204 inches). The applicant, Asa Gillette of Gillette and Associates, told the board the design retains larger canopy trees, exceeds minimum shade‑tree requirements and includes planting roughly 12–13 new trees to meet canopy standards.

Residents and advocacy groups urged care. Margaret Kirkland, speaking for Conserv Nassau, told the board that converting greenfield lots to clustered townhomes increases impervious surface and reduces tree canopy, which she said is leading to more frequent localized flooding on Mid Island. "When you add the impervious surface, you're removing the trees, which have served as our stormwater processing system," Kirkland said. The applicant and staff responded that the development’s stormwater and retention measures meet city requirements and that the water table and soils on the parcel were acceptable for the proposed design.

Members of the public also asked whether zoning or past rezoning approvals constrain future uses. Tanya Krishner said she had reviewed 2005 rezoning documents showing an intent for senior affordable housing and asked whether the city can attach conditions now to preserve that intent. Planning staff and the board said they would research whether conditions were included in the 2005 rezoning and whether conditions or deed restrictions can be applied; the city attorney agreed to follow up and advise the City Commission if any prior condition would affect the case.

A board member made a motion to recommend approval, which a colleague seconded; the chair called the vote and the motion passed unanimously. The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Commission for final action.

The board also flagged procedural points for staff review, including the need to surface potential issues earlier in the pre‑application and review process so last‑minute concerns (for example, about tree mitigation or prior rezoning conditions) can be resolved before public hearings.

The City Commission will receive the planning board’s recommendation at a future meeting; staff said the city attorney will notify commissioners if any earlier rezoning condition or legal issue emerges before that hearing.