By Tracy McCormick-Dishman
In a marathon evening of city business on Dec. 2, the Fernandina Beach City Commission took a significant step toward implementing paid parking downtown while simultaneously grappling with the displacement of hundreds of youth soccer players due to federal aviation regulations.
The commission voted 3-1 to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2025-13 and Ordinance 2025-14, which establish the paid parking zones and fee schedules. The decision followed a workshop earlier in the evening where officials debated the uncertain future of the Ybor Alvarez Sports Complex.
Paid parking advances
Despite continued public opposition, the commission moved forward with the paid parking plan, which aims to generate revenue for downtown infrastructure projects like the seawall and streetscape improvements.
Commissioner Tim Poynter abstained from the vote following an ethics disclosure. Although a verbal opinion from the Commission on Ethics indicated no conflict existed, Poynter chose to wait for a written informal opinion before casting a vote. He disclosed ownership or lease interests in seven parcels within the downtown boundary.
Under the proposed fee schedule, the base hourly rate for non-residents would be $2 per hour. City residents would be eligible for two free annual digital permits per household, allowing for four hours of free parking per day. Additional resident permits would cost $24 annually.
Implementation is tentatively scheduled for spring, with a 30-day “educational rollout” period where warnings rather than citations would be issued. A second reading and public hearing are expected on Jan. 6, 2026.
“Trust and fear” for youth soccer
Before the regular meeting, the commission held a workshop dominated by the looming eviction of the Amelia Island Youth Soccer league from the Ybor Alvarez Sports Complex. The fields sit on federally obligated airport land, and the FAA requires the airport to charge fair market value for non-aviation use or reclaim the land for aviation purposes.
“Trust and fear,” said Scott Lomond, president of the soccer league, quoting a sentiment from the workshop presentation during public comment. He described the program as being “in limbo” since March 2024. “We are the largest youth sports organization in the county… and we continue to kick the can down the road”.
Airport Manager Nathan Coyle and Project Manager Glen Akramoff presented the commission with stark options to replace the 15 acres of fields, which are needed for new hangar development by August 2027:
- Redevelopment on site: Moving soccer fields to the current softball complex would cost an estimated $3.5 million for land acquisition plus construction costs.
- Off-island relocation: Partnering with Nassau County at the Yulee Sports Complex offers a lower cost but forces island families to travel.
- Simmons Road parcel: Developing a 20-acre city-owned parcel near the golf course faces hurdles due to a runway protection zone and tree removal concerns.
Vice Mayor David Sturges advocated for keeping the fields on the island, warning that without purchasing the airport land, “it’s going to become concrete… it’s going to become more T-hangars”.
The commission reached a consensus to hold a dedicated workshop and potentially a town hall to gather more community input and refine financial data before making a final decision.
In Other Business
- Bond refinance: The commission unanimously approved a resolution to refinance an outstanding water and sewer revenue bond with Regions Bank at 3.46%, projected to save the utility fund approximately $865,000 over the next eight years.
- Hickory Street Park: A 25-year lease agreement with the Nassau County School Board was approved to ensure continued use of the Hickory Street Park fields, a critical stopgap for local sports.
- City manager milestone: City Manager Sarah Campbell was recognized for her one-year anniversary with the city. She highlighted the launch of the “Ascend” internal leadership program aimed at improving staff morale and culture.
The commission will meet again on Dec. 16.
