Proposed Amelia River Restaurant Heads to HDC Amid Questions Over Height, Marina Plans

Conceptual drawing based on project application documents.

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

FERNANDINA BEACH – The Historic District Council (HDC) on Thursday will consider a conceptual proposal for a new waterfront commercial complex on North Front Street that would bring restaurants, retail shops, marina services and potentially a 30- to 40-slip marina to a vacant parcel along the Amelia River.

The project, known as Amelia River Wharf, is proposed for the North Front Street property immediately north of Brett's Waterway Café and within the city's Community Redevelopment Area waterfront district. The application seeks conceptual approval from the Historic District Council before moving into more detailed engineering and site-plan review.

One issue likely to draw scrutiny from the Historic District Council is the building's height. While the CRA Design Guidelines generally limit waterfront buildings to 30 feet above the base flood elevation, city staff concluded that portions of the proposed design — specifically rooftop screening and parapet elements intended to conceal mechanical equipment — appear to exceed the allowable height. Staff stated the design will need to be modified before final approval can be granted.

Developer representative Ron Flick of Compass Group Development, acting on behalf of property owner Osteen Company LLP, proposes approximately 28,000 square feet of covered commercial space elevated above flood levels and designed to accommodate multiple restaurants, specialty retail shops and marina-related businesses.

According to application materials, the development would include a large waterfront restaurant, a second-story restaurant, six retail spaces, outdoor dining areas, public observation decks and a continuation of the riverfront boardwalk along the property. Site plans also show parking along Front Street and future gangway access to a marina extending into the Amelia River.

The proposal would occupy a roughly 0.88-acre waterfront parcel zoned Industrial Waterfront, one of the few remaining undeveloped riverfront properties near downtown. City planning documents indicate the proposed uses — including restaurants, retail shops, marina facilities and marine recreation services — are permitted within the zoning district.

In its application, the development team says the project is intended to draw inspiration from historic working waterfront architecture.

"The proposed Amelia River Wharf project is designed in a coastal, maritime style, drawing inspiration from working fishing wharves, shingle-clad fishing houses, and adjacent riverfront properties," the application states.

Proposed architectural features include cedar-style shingles, standing-seam metal roofs, muted colors and vertically oriented windows intended to blend industrial waterfront character with Fernandina Beach's historic downtown architecture.

A prominent tower-like lookout feature overlooking the river serves as one of the project's signature design elements. The building is elevated on pilings to address floodplain requirements and would include screened lower areas beneath the occupied floors.

The proposal also includes a public-access component. Plans show pedestrian pathways on both sides of the building connecting Front Street to the riverfront, allowing continued public access to the waterfront and boardwalk system.

City staff concluded the project satisfies the CRA's required waterfront view corridors, including the mandatory 15-foot side-yard corridors intended to preserve views and access to the river. The issue of waterfront view corridors has become increasingly important as development interest along Front Street grows.

Earlier this year, city planning staff issued a memorandum clarifying that waterfront projects must preserve designated side-yard visibility corridors and public access routes connecting downtown streets to the Amelia River. The memo noted that preserving these corridors is intended to maintain the city's visual and physical connection to the waterfront.

While staff generally found the proposal consistent with applicable guidelines, planners identified at least one issue requiring further revision.

A rooftop parapet shown on the plans appears to exceed the maximum height allowances established by the CRA Design Guidelines and will need to be modified before final approval can be granted.

Several major reviews still remain before construction could begin.

The project must undergo a formal Technical Review Committee site-plan review, demonstrate compliance with parking and lot-coverage requirements, address utility and stormwater concerns, and secure all necessary local, state and federal permits. A traffic study could also be required if the development is projected to generate more than 400 average daily vehicle trips.

According to materials submitted to the city, the developers are also exploring the possibility of creating a marine welcome center tied to Florida's Intracoastal Waterway and reviving the site's historical role as what they describe as Florida's first marine welcome station, established in 1963.

The Historic District Council will consider whether the overall concept is appropriate for the riverfront location and whether the project should proceed to the next stage of design review. Conceptual approval would not authorize construction but would provide guidance to the applicant before returning with final architectural and site-plan details.