No $ale on First Baptist Church property

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

April 10, 2015 3:15 p.m.

Tim Poynter

Local businessman and Fernandina Beach city commissioner Tim Poynter has backed off plans to purchase and convert the former educational building of the First Baptist Church into a short-term lodging facility. Poynter began work on this project two years ago, when he was not a city commissioner. Had the plan succeeded, the repurposed building could have added $45,000 to annual city tax revenues.  However, as plans moved closer to actualization, Poynter found that he could not overcome parking requirements and obstacles for this particular parcel located in the Central Business District (C-3). Poynter decided to abandon the project after having invested several thousand dollars, indicating that he still believed in the value of such a project for downtown development; he just could not see any way forward with existing code requirements as interpreted by city staff.

Former educational building owned by First Baptist Church at 19N. 5th

At this time there is no indication that city staff, Poynter or the property owner (First Baptist Church) will take any further action on this matter. Poynter has asked that the city refund fees he paid to apply for a variance, which has been mooted out by his withdrawal of the project.

Next week the Fernandina Observer plans to explore in greater depth some of the code issues confronting potential developers in the Central Business District, where non-conforming uses for properties like churches create confusion in the minds of residents and potential property developers alike.

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.