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Planning board recommends preliminary plat for La Vie Amelia subdivision in Fernandina Beach
Summary
The Planning Advisory Board voted to recommend approval of a 9‑lot preliminary plat for the La Vie Amelia subdivision at 1110 South 13th Street after staff testimony and public comment about tree canopy and stormwater mitigation.
The Fernandina Beach Planning Advisory Board on Aug. 14 voted to recommend that the City Commission approve a preliminary plat for the La Vie Amelia subdivision, a nine‑lot project at 1110 South 13th Street.
Planning staff described the proposal as a nine‑lot subdivision that would accommodate eight townhomes and one single‑family home; under the current land‑use designation the parcel could accommodate more units, staff said. The application reserves Tract 1 as a stormwater detention pond and staff confirmed utilities are available. Kelly Gibson, planning staff, recommended the preliminary plat be forwarded to the City Commission, which is expected to consider the item in September.
“As our land use allows us to go up to 14. But, we did 9 in order for us to meet tree preservation and satisfy drainage requirements in the other parts of the LDC,” Asa Gillette, the applicant’s agent, said. Gillette told the board the team reduced an earlier 13‑lot concept to nine lots to preserve trees and meet drainage constraints.
Residents urged the board to press for better tree protection and clearer mitigation information. Margaret Kirkland of Conserv Nassau warned of lost canopy and higher impervious surface, and Joyce Tutin asked who does the tree counts; staff said the city relies on an independent arborist and per‑lot mitigation measured in mitigation inches. Planning staff said approximately 43% of existing canopy on the site would be retained and additional planting would be required to meet mitigation inches overall.
The board heard public question and answer, confirmed that the technical review committee found the application meets required standards to advance, and then a board member moved to recommend approval of PAB case 2024‑009 to the City Commission. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; one member had previously declared a conflict and abstained from voting on the matter, and one member was absent at the time of the vote.
Next steps: the board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Commission for its consideration at a future meeting; staff asked that applicants not begin work before preliminary plat approval and issuance of the local development order.
