Hotel plans for former nursing home site moving forward

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

November 9, 2018 12:15 a.m.

The site of the former residential health facility on Atlantic Avenue near Main Beach are currently undergoing review by the city of Fernandina Beach, FDOT, and the St. Johns River Water Management District.  The site is east of the Lutheran Church and does not include the other vacant properties on the south side of Atlantic Avenue.

The proposed Courtyard/Springhill dual branded hotel will have a total of 239 rooms along with restaurant and retail space. The parking structure will have surface level and below grade parking spaces on the west and south side of the building.  The Compass Group is developing this project.

City Planner Jacob Platt reports that the city’s Technical Review Committee (TRC) has provided comments to the applicant on matters that must be addressed before the city can issue a building permit.  The applicant will return to the TRC for further consideration at a future meeting, as yet undetermined.

The TRC reviews applications and provides compliance reports for site plans, rezoning, amendments to the Land Development Code, preliminary subdivision plats, final subdivision plats, and amendments to previously issued local development orders.

Membership includes, at a minimum, a representative from the following City departments:

A. Planning and Zoning

B. Utilities

C. Building

D. Facilities Maintenance

E. Fire Department

Meetings are open to the public and are held in the City Commission Chambers on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 9:00 a.m.  Meeting agendas and minutes are available on the city website.  For further information, contact the city Planning Department at (904) 310-3135.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.