Downtown Fernandina Beach Condos, Duplex submitted for city panel review

Concept drawing of condo planned on Ash and 8th Streets

The City of Fernandina Beach’s Technical Review Committee (TRC) is scheduled to consider two small condo developments and a duplex proposal during its meeting Thursday, providing an early look at projects that could reshape parts of the city’s historic core and surrounding neighborhoods.

The TRC will review a proposal involving two vacant properties at 306 Ash St. and 109 S. 8th Ave., both located in the city’s Central Business District and within the historic district.

The applicants - Champeau/Morris Condominiums - propose constructing two separate four-unit condominium buildings, along with a small commercial space on each site. Plans describe a four-story configuration for each building, with parking on the ground level, residential units on the next two floors, and commercial space on the top floor. The applicants have indicated the two projects are designed to be architecturally identical and “historic district compliant,” with the goal of streamlining construction and review +TRC First Step Application.

Conceptual drawings submitted with the Ash Street application show a multi-story structure rising to just over 30 feet, with balconies and architectural detailing intended to be consistent with surrounding historic downtown buildings. Floor plans included in the submission outline residential layouts on the upper floors and shared access and circulation elements between units.

109 S. 8th Street

306 Ash Street

The other item on the agenda is a proposed residential development at 309 S. 3rd St., where Gillette & Associates is seeking guidance on a plan to construct a duplex and a single-family residence on a 0.12-acre parcel currently occupied by a single-family home. The property is zoned MU-1 (Mixed Use) with a mixed-use future land use designation. According to the application materials, the project would take access from South Third Street and is being submitted as a “First Step Review,” an informal, nonbinding process intended to identify zoning, infrastructure, and design requirements before formal permitting begins.

309 S. 3rd Street

City officials stress that TRC “First Step” reviews do not constitute approval and are intended strictly for discussion. The committee, which includes representatives from planning, engineering, utilities, fire, and other departments, uses the meetings to flag potential issues such as building height, parking, stormwater management, traffic access, and historic district standards before applicants invest in detailed engineering and architectural plans.

First Step items are typically heard at the beginning of each TRC meeting as discussion items, followed by formal reviews of projects that are further along in the development process. No votes are taken, and recommendations are advisory only.

Thursday’s TRC meeting will be held 10 a.m. at City Hall, 204 Ash St., and is open to the public.