Concerned Friends of Fernandina                                

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                              Concerned Friends of Fernandina is a grassroots citizens group formed to inform and involve

                             residents wanting to preserve the small town  identity of Fernandina Beach and its natural beauty.

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                                   "With public sentiment, nothing can fail;  without it nothing can succeed." -- Abraham Lincoln

 

                 

   

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Historic District Council meeting dates and Agenda  Click here

 

Fernandina ‘Historic District’ News

      May, 2008     For and about Fernandina Beach’s Historic District    Publisher/Editor Chuck Hall

       

      Hardy-Board is Approved?

      If you live in the Historic District, you have surely heard about the request by a resident here to place Hardy-board siding on the entire exterior of her home. The Historic District Council originally turned down that request.

      Well, not to be daunted, the resident found a lawyer, and the case was re-heard again recently, with the new testimonial of a historic structure expert testifying to the age and condition of the structure, and he confirmed that the existing wood siding was not original anyway. So, the HDC approved the replacement.

      There was a lot of talk around town about how the original ruling was unfair, and how Hardy Board is a fine material, etc, etc. Well friends, I am obliged to chime in on that approval, and the tempest surrounding the debate
      .
      First of all, I don’t really take a position concerning the use of Hardy Board, as it is indeed a great product, and I have used it myself many times. In fact, with the overwhelming body of evidence supporting the use of such a product, one would be foolish to say it’s not a quality substitute. Enough said about that.

      My concern is really about something altogether different. I am concerned about the strength of the Historic District Council, and the support they get from us. I think they got far too much criticism about their first ruling.

      Consider this; these folk are all unpaid volunteers. They don’t get thanked often enough for the work they put into this good task. Secondly, they are not engineering or construction professionals. For the most part, they are just like you and me, average working folk that have a sincere interest in preserving the Historic District.
      So, they had to wait for credible testimony before allowing a radical change to a historic house with a modern product!

      Sometimes residents might not agree with them in their opinion about what is historic and what is not. Some even think the Council makes unfair decisions. I guess this is bound to happen.

      But in the long run; for the ‘big picture’, I’d like to think that we’ll end up with a Historic District that will be true to our heritage, and valuable for our children. I’d like to see the HDC receive appropriate support from the City Commission, and the City attorney, too. Surprisingly enough, I might even like to see some of the guidelines even more strictly enforced (I can’t believe I said that).

      Some of us might not like what the Council says, even I have had my share of problems there, but we must remember: "Preservation of the past secures our future"

      So, when you see a member of the HDC, give them a hug.

       

       

      Advertising Racks Downtown

      Have you ever noticed how many advertising racks there are downtown? Once you have noticed them, they seem to be everywhere! The city attorney, the merchants association (HFBA), and the advertisers are in discussions right now about how to cut back on this odd proliferation of multi-colored boxes along the streets.

      The problem is that there are too many boxes, located in too many places. These boxes are all different colors, shapes and sizes. Some are damaged, and some are even abandoned! They become shifted about, and overall it has become an eyesore.

      So, the city is attempting to place a limit on all this confusion by providing racks to the advertisers to place the boxes in, creating a more organized look. I’m pretty excited about anything that can clean up the streets in the Historic District, and I’m looking forward to some real results.

      It seems odd to me that the City ever allowed anyone to put advertising boxes anywhere they wished. I guess it just sneaked up on them over the years.

       
     
     
     

     
     

 

 

 
 
 

                                                               

                                         

                                               

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"cfof" are residents of Fernandina Beach, Florida.
 
Last updated: May 14, 2008.