Preservation and Development Guidelines, Old Town Fernandina, Florida

University of Florida, College of Architecture, Preservation Institute: Caribbean

From introduction: "This study provides a foundation for standards of architectural design review as required by Chapter 8 of the Land Development Code for Fernandina Beach. The Old Town Historic District is within a Historic District Overlay and design review is based upon the latest edition of Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings from the U.S. Secretary of Interior... The listing of the Old Town Historic District on the National Register was largely due to its significance in planning rather than architecture. The Spanish grid is a distinctive approach to town planning and this grid has remained constant for two centuries. The remaining contributing buildings date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries rather than from the Spanish period. The basic structure of the original grid remains. Currently, about forty structures exist in the town, roughly the same number found in records from the century of its founding. Old Town’s geographic isolation from the rapid development of Amelia Island has largely accounted for its preservation. Bound on the north and west by the salt marsh of Egan’s Creek and the Amelia River respectively, the town occupies one of the highest points in the area and demonstrates the careful strategic planning of Spanish settlements. This isolation has been furthered by the addition of large-scale industrial facilities just south of the town and adjacent to the historic Bosque Bello Cemetery. Prevented from further expansion by geographic and man-made boundaries, the Old Town grid remains as one of the last and purest examples of the Law of the Indies planning edict of 1573. The road surface constructed in 1998 demonstrates the influence of the guidelines as seen in the crushed shell surface, minimal road width, green right of way and lack of sidewalks common to more rural settlements. Improvements fostered by changes in infrastructure will also significantly increase development. The guidelines proposed in this document are founded on the belief, however idealistic, that the small scale, quiet lifestyle enjoyed by current Old Town residents can be maintained through careful town planning and thoughtful, well-made buildings. These recommendations are the beginning of an ongoing process to preserve the town plan and guide Old Town through a period of inevitable growth. It is important to remember that design guidelines, no matter how well written and illustrated, cannot insure a sustainable community. Property owners, designers, builders, developers and town officials must collaborate in order to maintain the scale and character of Historic Old Town for future generations." Funding was provided in part by a 2012 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Fernandina Beach (project number FL-12-013) administered by the Florida State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 12-12-41916) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Fernandina Beach, Florida is a Certified Local Government.

Preservation and Development Guidelines, Old Town Fernandina, Florida

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