I'm a long time local and Lic. Real Estate Broker with The Realty Source, Inc. here on Amelia Island. This blog began as a way to write about a specific environmental concern. Eventually the topics became more varied and cover anything from a new restaurant, to tax incentives for green construction.
One of our former commissioners and former Mayor Beano Roberts is taking a personal interest in restoration of the Centre Street lighting. At approximately $741.00, he found a source for lighting for two trees in California, personally bought the lighting and with approval of the CoFB, the lighting is being installed by CoFB employees. A far cry from the high cost of uplighting and far more dramatic, I hope you will all see the two trees between 5th and 6th Streets along Centre. Beano is organizing funding for the remaining trees as well. If you are interested in privately contributing money to complete the project, this will make a huge difference in the appearance of Centre Street….all in time for Shrimp Festival.
The original efforts at replacing lighting resulted in lights strung along tree branches in a straight fashion. Although tree lighting isn’t exactly a naturally occurring phenominom, randomly placed lighting is far more attractive than obviously placed row lights. Beano wanted to show what could be done and also show why the original lights were so attractive.
The newest venture on Centre Street is an extension or connected to O’Kanes by the rear courtyard you see below, but has an entirely different feel. The courtyard looks and feels like Old Fernandina, with pavers, old bricks and the kind of atmosphere you might enjoy with someone special. Let me know what you think, but with Conch Fritters, Gator Tail, Oysters, Crab and Shrimp in the menu, you won’t be disappointed if you’re hoping for a taste of Florida.
You never know what you’ll find in your back yard or front yard. This “Florida Box Turtle” apparently likes our front yard, especially underneath the grape vines.
Like other box turtles, the Florida box turtle has a narrow and highly-domed shell with a hinged plastron that allows it to close its shell tightly. However, the Florida box turtle is quite different in appearance from the other subspecies of Terrapene carolina. Its carapace has a distinct pattern of bright radiating yellow stripes that make it easily identifiable.
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ATTENTION FERNANDINA BEACH RESIDENTS:
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A good part of last night’s city commission meeting involved a discussion of resort rentals at a local condo complex. The complex is a PUD (planned unit development), but zoned originally R-2. Their covenants from the early 80’s reference rentals of one week or more, but do not discuss less than weekly rental. The resort rental ordinance covers all incorporated areas of Fernandina and only allows rental in R-3 or specific zoning districts. R-2 is not an allowed district and no provision is made to grandfather in R-2 zoned PUD’s. The proposal, as I understood, is requesting a blanket overlay allowing all units to apply for a permit either now or in the future to rent units for any time period under 30 days.
The difficulty began when, over the years, owners began to rent units at less than 30 day periods after the passage of the resort rental ordinance. Code Enforcement began enforcing the ordinance…I’m guessing after looking at violators on sites like www.vrbo.com . At one time, I was aware of several units renting daily, weekly or at various times illegally. The ordinance was simply not being enforced well. Anyway, relatively recently, the ordinance changed to increase fines dramatically and enforcement was stepped up. A number of violators were found….resulting in last night’s request. The issue then became whether any units were legally allowed to rent at less than 30 days….as defined in the 2000 resort rental ordinance and would the City of Fernandina Beach Commission allow the resort rentals in violation to continue.
A compromise, I think only partially considered, is taking shape. It essentially involves a zoning overlay to allow resort rental or permitting. I have several questions and concerns…none involving any true concerns about the impact.
1) Financing terms and lending rates might change based a condotel. I would wonder if the CCR requirement to check in with a manager combined with the daily rentals…are very close or might trigger classification as a condotel. Do all owners understand this change and agree? Do all owners agree to release the CoFB of any and all liability for a change in classification if later considered a condotel. I would simply recommend discussion of when the classification is triggered. This, in my opinion, is something all owners should agree to prior to a change.
2) The monthly cost of running the complex, management, daily pool maintenance and insurance will go up to be born by all owners. Do all owners agree to this change? The cost change is a function of the resort rental ordinance.
3) I understand the majority of owners would want the change, but what about the minority? Associations are a little different. Should the commission make the change if all, not just a majority of owners, are not in favor?
4) The change is essentially a zoning change. Do all surrounding property owners agree? Were they noticed as though this were a change of zoning? Several owners of nearby properties were opposed to the change, including an owner representing Egan’s Landing and one owner living off First Avenue nearby.
I would also ask how many units were renting and how many of those units had all required permits? Did any of the units apply for resort rental permits as required for all condominiums renting for less than 30 days? Being even handed in considering this, requires seeing the view of those in favor of a change and seeing the view of those not in attendance, but also represented by the commission. These owners assume the commission will be even handed in consideration of the issue and will consider all sides…not just the view of those at a meeting.
Finally, no elected official or manager should be able to selectively waive costs or make changes in favor of one group, without commission approval. So many people know one another…..the chances of an appearance of impropriety are high. It is a wiser practice to put a “fee waiving” decision in front of the commission.
In considering running for office, one of the biggest concerns I have or had was how I might be required to avoid friends holding office locally. I’ve lived on the island for a very long time….nearly 50 years. Knowing people is unavoidable if you live in an area for that long and having friends is normal. If you read the explanation below, a meeting is defined as a meeting between 2 or more members of the same board. While I’m not an attorney, I am aware of a very simple fact few people seem to grasp. The law was and is not written to trick anyone. Good law, like government, is for the people. Legal terrorism….at least the words I think of when considering the way Sunshine Law has been used….is what happens when the law is used for the purpose of manipulating local government through threats and intimidation.
According to the statement below, if there is no discussion of a matter before a board, there is no meeting. Having lunch with a friend, discussing personal matters over coffee or even going to a public event should not become something requiring legal council. The sunshine laws are a great thing. Like any well intentioned law….it can be manipulated. In essence, an entire board could meet for lunch without the requirement for notice. It is just highly unlikely the entire group could meet without discussing any issue they might consider as a public board or commission. Smaller groups could reasonably, especially in a small town, meet and simply avoid discussions of any issues before the board.
The Sunshine law applies to all discussions or deliberations as well as the formal action taken by a board or commission. The law, in essence, is applicable to any gathering, whether formal or casual, of two or more members of the same board or commission to discuss some matter on which foreseeable action will be taken by the public board or commission. There is no requirement that a quorum be present for a meeting to be covered under the law.
(Keep in mind…the above is my opinion as a “non attorney” and I suggest you discuss my unqualified opinions prior to changing the way you provide notice of meetings.)
My kids thought the “Banger” was the best part and my wife kept disappearing to look at another display. The season is starting, with the Sounds on Centre concert last night, garden show today, reenactments at Fort Clinch over the weekend and event at Main Beach, we have a lot to do in Fernandina. By the way, notice Jeff Bunch below….in street clothes…. It really is nice to see commissioners at these events.
With growers and nurseries from around the state, the Amelia Island Garden Show will feature more than 50 vendors with a full assortment of flowers and plants, fruit trees and palms, orchids, herbs, container gardens, native plants, butterfly-friendly plants, shrubs, garden accessories and more.
The article below discusses the issue in more detail. I became aware of this a few months ago after a student at Stetson University drowned while on break.
Based on the video linked, this is now considered a crime to use or sell “Nationally”….. as of March 1.
Synthetic marijuana can cause severe agitation, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, vomiting and, in some cases, hallucinations, tremors and seizures, said Dr. Anthony Scalzo, a professor of toxicology at Saint Louis University.
“These toxic chemicals are neither natural nor safe,” he said.
So far this year there were 197 cases of synthetic-marijuana overdoses throughout the state, including 14 in Broward County and 13 in Palm Beach County, records show.
We were fortunate enough to make the book festival this weekend and were treated to a pleasant surprise. Kathleen Maurer of Maurer Fine Art, a Fernandina local, was promoting a book of truly beautiful local watercolor sketches….all showing some of the best Amelia Island can offer. The diversity of authors and even "name" writers attending was surprising. We literally parked blocks away to walk in to some of the events and the writers all seemed thrilled by the record attendance.
I did miss saying hello to one of my favorite action writers though. David Morell was one of the featured writers. He is most famous for his Rambo character, but the funny thing….I picked up at least 8 or 9 other Morell books over the years….just never read that one. My favorite was actually something called "The Fraternity of the Stone". http://www.davidmorrell.net/ You can read more here, but I applaud Mr. Morell for choosing Amelia Island and for being such a welcome addition.
tre Street lighting. At approximately $741.00, he found a source for lighting for two trees in California, personally bought the lighting and with approval of the CoFB, the lighting is being installed by CoFB employees. A far cry from the high cost of uplighting and far more dramatic, I hope you will all see the two trees between 5th and 6th Streets along Centre. Beano is organizing funding for the remaining trees as well. If you are interested in privately contributing money to complete the project, this will make a huge difference in the appearance of Centre Street….all in time for Shrimp Festival. 
![IMG_3955[1]](http://amelia-island.net/ameliablog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_39551.jpg "IMG_3955[1]")
