Court Denies Appeal in Tringali Property Case; Future of Triplexes Still in Dispute

The disputed former Tringali parcels

A Florida appellate court has denied a challenge from Worthy Investment Group, effectively killing the developer’s original plans to build townhouses on the former Tringali property in downtown Fernandina Beach. But the ruling has reignited debate over what kind of housing — if any — can be legally built on the land.

"By Order of the Court: Ordered — that the Petition for Writ of Certiorari, filed January 26, 2024, is denied," read the 5th District Court of Appeal’s order issued Monday.

The court’s decision upholds a December 2023 ruling by Nassau County Judge James Roberson, who found that the city had improperly approved Worthy's original proposal to construct eight townhouses on parcels along South 3rd Street. Roberson ruled that because a prior structure spanned multiple lots, the entire area had functioned as one building site — triggering restrictions under Section 1.03.05 of the city’s Land Development Code (LDC).

Roberson concluded there was "no plausible explanation for the City’s erroneous interpretation" of the code and determined that any multi-unit construction would require special approval from the city’s Board of Adjustment.

The Board later denied Worthy’s variance request in a unanimous 5-0 vote. That rejection, along with Roberson’s ruling, is now final.

Still, the dispute over the Tringali site isn’t over.

In the months since the townhouse plan was struck down, Worthy Investment Group submitted a revised project to the city — this time proposing four triplex buildings across the 3rd and 4th Street-facing lots. The city has approved the building permits. But residents who fought the townhouse plan argue the new design still violates the same section of the LDC.

“They're entirely different proposals,” said Ron Flick of the Compass Group, the builder working with Worthy. “We've abandoned the idea of townhouses long ago.”

Taina Christner, leader of the neighborhood group Stop the Domino Effect, isn’t buying it. She and fellow residents Merry and David Coalson, who filed the original lawsuit, maintain that Roberson’s interpretation of Section 1.03.05 applies to the entire property — no matter how the plans are repackaged.

“A triplex is three residential dwelling units, and Section 1.03.05 clearly states that no more than one residential dwelling unit can be built on a building site unless a supermajority vote of the Board of Adjustment grants a variance. No such BOA approval occurred here,” she said in an email to the City.

Christner said she is in talks with the city about the building permits and is considering further legal steps to prevent violations of the LDC.