Two-story, expanded Atlantic Seafood design concept gets commission OK despite speakers' objections

The Fernandina Beach city commission has approved negotiating a new lease for a replacement building for Atlantic Seafood that would be three times the size of the existing structure.

The new leaseholders, Atlantic Seafood LLC , had submitted revised concept plans for the new seafood store/restaurant building. Architect Michael Stauffer submitted plans for the two story building that will have a seating capacity of 151 people.

Atlantic Seafood LLC is also seeking to negotiate a new lease with the City that would extend the agreement another 30 years.

The resolution approved Dec. 5 by the commission states that because plans for the city's flood wall protection project causes a conflict at the existing site, the new building will be located on a city owned parcel just south of the existing building location.

The building footprint size is 4,330 square feet -- three times the size of the current footprint -- and the building itself is 3,040 square feet.

The current building is 1,200 square feet and is in such poor condition that it does not meet the standards to qualify for insurance coverage. The prior city commission in 2022 denied plans to expand the size of the building and said a request for proposal should be put out in order to have competitive proposals submitted for a bigger project to avoid the appearance of a "sweetheart deal" to the current leaseholder. Then Commissioner Bradley Bean opposed that plan.

Six speakers urged the city commission to reject the plan on the grounds the bigger building would take away already limited public parking spaces; block riverfront sunset views; the lease price was too low and should be put out for competitive bid.

"It's about preserving what we have as a community.....you just can't give this (the land) away. A long term land lease is selling the property without collecting the money," argued former city commissioner Tim Poynter.

Former vice mayor Len Kreger said "The lease was for 1,200 feet and assumed at 1,200 feet. This (proposal) would be a big mistake."

But City Commissioner Chip Ross disagreed with the assessments and supported the project.

"The best waterfronts have amenities for peoples' comfort and enjoyment," Ross said. "People go to the waterfront not just for the sunsets but for other things. We need to boost public activities and space."

Ross said the lease terms would be negotiated and ultimately reviewed and approved by the commission.

"We have a known quality developer, with a proven track record in the city, who is willing to invest in the community. And is willing to commit the resources to make this happen. The alternative is do nothing and complain that nothing ever happens on the waterfront," Ross said. "It's time to move on."

City Attorney Tammi Bach along with City Manager Ty Ross will begin the process of negotiating a new lease.