[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6056063,"mediaKeyId","3312483-6cfef1d501945fdb7d738807909a62cd","parentId",3312483,"title","Fort Myers Beach LPA unanimously recommends rezoning to rebuild Salty Crab with conditions","audioSeconds",4646,"startMs",362000,"endMs",5008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312483-6cfef1d501945fdb7d738807909a62cd&start=362&end=5008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312483-6cfef1d501945fdb7d738807909a62cd/thumbnail_362000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6056063/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Fort-Myers-Beach-LPA-unanimously-recommends-rezoning-to-rebuild-Salty-Crab-with-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056063-994d9d717637f01cadf2b361f6d07798/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167105&Signature=A8xJ-N3Fr81fibx-3hVBzPi59zc557mnNgN2dF6WzMPoazJagW8HvvExpGyshrkNTmayPWcMdxp3vmUjZVJgBO0GOYLwlZvLUSCoQU7PnIS3t1IooG9X412bHP5DTpo1dl1tfcRhw5qMk8gsvM6Ub2uCEUxGWnXnLfCtz1tQT~Rg3Pv7cxjFduhcdd1K4FQS0-xCNrJUlOeVUfIstQhvWHPgiJ9hnWH53jGYvozqhOAOvC8oFFiQ2L0rpIP2syvCxT~38iaFmgHqtV0lFIl-sYaXA0SVGE9hFje~wN53~Kzpp0HtmilMONmWLx9zDOgNp4~yCjaCy-hbwWZIUlyzow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of For Myers Beach, FL","date","2025-05-14T04:37:04Z","article","The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency unanimously recommended approval May 13 of a Commercial Planned Development (CPD) rezoning for 1154 Estero Boulevard to allow rebuilding of the Salty Crab restaurant and a Sweet Willy's ice cream shop after Hurricane Ian.

The recommendation to town council would allow five deviations from the Land Development Code, including an increase in floor-area ratio (FAR) from the CPD standard to 1.96, zero-foot street and side setbacks where the commercial-resort standard requires larger setbacks, a 100% reduction in required parking (from 64 required spaces to 0 on-site), and increased sign area. The LPA recommendation included four staff conditions, among them a requirement to install cantilevered shade structures over the Estero Boulevard sidewalk and to comply with all state and federal permits.

Nut graf: The rezoning would permit a two-story replacement of the beachfront restaurant that operated at the site before Hurricane Ian. The applicant said the design responds to state and FEMA flood rules that require building habitable areas above ground level; that requirement drives the FAR request because more building area will be under roof than at the pre‑storm structure.

Staff and applicant presentation

Judith Frankel, community development director, told the LPA the CPD process requires comparison to the commercial-resort standards and explained why a CPD — not a variance — was needed for the higher FAR. \"Staff finds that the CPD with deviations does meet the criteria set forth in sections 34‑85(b) and (c) and 34‑2162 of the land development code, as well as the comprehensive plan and recommends approval with conditions,\" Frankel said.

Fred Dralwick, planner for the applicant (RVI Planning & Landscape Architecture), said the rebuilt project would fit on the existing 5,256-square-foot lot, remain two stories and meet the downtown district height limits. He told the LPA that much of the pre‑storm restaurant’s ground‑floor area must now be elevated or moved because of floodplain requirements, and that change makes the FAR calculation higher. \"A big part of that FAR is now we have to move everything up to the top floor,\" he said.

Key technical requests and staff response

- FAR: Applicant requested 1.96 FAR; staff noted the comprehensive plan's pedestrian commercial designation allows up to 2.5 FAR but CPDs are measured against commercial‑resort standards (1.2 FAR). The applicant said excluding certain ground‑floor circulation and storage from FAR calculation would lower the ratio but that approach was not permitted for this CPD.

- Setbacks: The request seeks 0‑foot street and side setbacks similar to the downtown zone, while commercial‑resort rules call for larger setbacks. Applicant argued the zero setbacks allow awnings that shade the public sidewalk.

- Parking: The proposal asks to reduce required parking from 64 spaces to zero on site, citing long historical operation without on‑site parking and nearby public parking. The applicant said a loading bay for vans and an off‑hours delivery arrangement with Lee County park parking would limit curb impacts, but that negotiations with Lee County are not final.

- Signage: The applicant revised its request during the hearing; the packet listed a combined sign area of 94.6 square feet and the applicant later asked for an additional roughly 15 square feet, for a total deviation of about 83 square feet above the 32‑square‑foot maximum for one business façade in the commercial district.

Public benefit, conditions and vote

The applicant proposed public benefits including a shaded sidewalk and public improvements along the adjacent park frontage. Staff recommended approval with conditions requiring a photometric plan that complies with turtle‑friendly lighting, cantilevered shade structures along Estero Boulevard, final architectural designs generally consistent with the submitted renderings, and that the applicant obtain all applicable state and local permits.

LPA members discussed delivery logistics, neighboring Margaritaville property impacts and the need for coordination with Lee County on the adjacent park and access. The motion to recommend approval included a nonbinding request that the town encourage Lee County to consider parking access arrangements in Crescent Beach Park to support deliveries; the motion passed unanimously (recorded votes: Jane — Aye; Jim — Aye; Don — Aye; Doug — Aye; John — Aye; Anita (chair) — Aye).

What comes next

The LPA recommendation goes to the Fort Myers Beach Town Council for final action. If council approves the ordinance, the applicant will still need development order approvals, a building permit review that will include FEMA and DEP/CCCL compliance, and any state permits required for beachfront construction.

Ending: The LPA emphasized that approval of the CPD rezoning does not grant a blanket building permit; final permitting, FEMA elevation requirements, DEP approvals for CCCL areas, and the town’s development order process remain required before construction can begin.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Local Planning Agency, May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency unanimously recommended approval May 13 of a Commercial Planned Development rezoning for 1154 Estero Boulevard to allow rebuilding of the Salty Crab restaurant and an ice cream shop after Hurricane Ian.","taxTitle","Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, Florida","taxId",66110,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056050,"LPA backs tighter public‑notice rules for rezonings and major land use hearings",1484,10072000,11556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312483-6cfef1d501945fdb7d738807909a62cd&start=10072&end=11556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312483-6cfef1d501945fdb7d738807909a62cd/thumbnail_10072000.jpg","/articles/6056050/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/LPA-backs-tighter-publicnotice-rules-for-rezonings-and-major-land-use-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056050-7c75d29d18b77c1eb0073ce78fa6fb85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167105&Signature=NKlkzXpauxZaDfasltffaaK2xu6l73IwoQD1b51drino0HH2vVvaA6iCXJ~a3zfzCGt0yP0n3L4NU4~c5p1O1AWKvo63ibMR1gxFdXXu-6NvcCCrh3fiVC6369ItyH1lS9Da1vaj~D9ApIUZcOJf9-FpiXamHC9pd9npB2tpuAAnc9iv5IqhpwZ1ABAvqXV9pIQUkjgPxH4TsbHkAsUJ-F0VejPNIyUrcqmvUXEv41wnCMODlVJB2fTFxArN1NIfb27CFHDsmbnEjXtKLEvPDa8lGwfIVailk5uGtMljHFw9Qe2dFqJXorac~wBi5QEUKWay-7f5qmswGLj11jwgrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency on May 13 recommended that the Town Council adopt an ordinance requiring applicants to provide mailed and posted public notices for rezonings, development agreements and CPDs, with photographic proof supplied to the town before the hearing.

Under the proposed amendment staff presented to the LPA, applicants (or their agents) would be responsible for mailed notice and on‑site posted notice. For rezonings, commercial projects and multifamily developments the draft requires mailing to property owners within a 500‑foot radius and submission of proof of mailing seven calendar days before the hearing; the rule would also require the applicant to post professionally lettered signs on any property frontage that abuts public right‑of‑way and to provide photographs of the posted signs. For single‑ and two‑family variances the draft reduces the required mailing scope to abutting property owners and property owners across a right‑of‑way and the same seven‑day proof requirement.

Nut graf: Town staff and LPA members said placing the burden for noticing on applicants (rather than staff) reduces staff workload, standardizes notice materials and makes proof of outreach part of the official record. The change does not replace state statutory notice requirements; it adds a town‑level step designed to give neighboring property owners clearer, earlier and more consistent information about land‑use hearings.

Key points from LPA discussion

Community Development Director Judith Frankel said the ordinance refines the town’s existing practice and scales notice requirements to the application type so that single‑family homeowners seeking a small variance are not subject to the heavier notice burdens appropriate for large commercial projects. \"We would ask the applicant to provide proof — maps, mailing lists and photos of the mailed postcards with paid postage — seven days before the meeting,\" she said.

LPA members asked staff to provide a sample poster and a template for mailed notices and to allow a brief transition period before the ordinance takes effect so applicants can adapt. Staff suggested a July 1 or August 1 effective date and said existing applications already scheduled for hearings would not be retroactively subject to the new rules.

Vote and next steps

The LPA voted to forward the ordinance to Town Council as consistent with the comprehensive plan and recommended adoption. If the council adopts the ordinance the town will publish templates and guidance for applicants on the town website, and staff said it will continue to work with applicants to minimize process delays while preserving due‑process safeguards.

Ending: LPA members emphasized the balance between transparency and practicality and asked staff to draft clear sign and postcard templates and to include limited, defined exceptions for emergency declarations or other extraordinary circumstances.","The Local Planning Agency recommended changing town rules so applicants — not staff — must provide mailed and posted notice ahead of public hearings for rezonings, large developments and similar requests; the change standardizes notice content, requires photographic proof and aims to improve transparency.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056058,"LPA backs Estero Island Beach Club rebuild, citing economic benefits and public access improvements",4284,5767000,10051000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312483-6cfef1d501945fdb7d738807909a62cd&start=5767&end=10051","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312483-6cfef1d501945fdb7d738807909a62cd/thumbnail_5767000.jpg","/articles/6056058/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/LPA-backs-Estero-Island-Beach-Club-rebuild-citing-economic-benefits-and-public-access-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056058-36e03d02c39157c3d65f9054029ecfbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167105&Signature=dNBPd0nLcW5ToscwIkTcs2dcBOeBjs8wCYnRu414W-1j1336dUJS7WnmKQkBF7OLBF5h~cwVD9Vy9CyMhjghgSC358cHK0NuPKBWi5kdTBmbb1mRpFyjubZ2PsTi66hu4FEEurXSJMWlH9BJIA9rrFGHKrQGvpCWRsxh0P0HtX1ogkfp7SFvf1qUfvyrQhFhA9IqFfq61~rRCklkvpl9~GPoSHCNAX7Xm-YkdF-BF09B9eyb8S75PaN6TKVkdhIdqw1UxdEx6PysikP7FByTFw21P~mL7B~L0Ch2Gm1uKFBxai3LyWxmpkI7wr5idb6STHUmh-hRizA3A3ONSugm4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Local Planning Agency on May 13 unanimously recommended that the Town Council approve a Commercial Planned Development (CPD) allowing reconstruction of the Estero Island Beach Club (EIBC) at 1836 Estero Boulevard to the pre‑Hurricane Ian total of 75 timeshare units.

The applicant resubmitted a redesigned project that reduced the maximum mass compared with a prior proposal and kept the FAR at the CPD standard of 1.2 by putting parking under the building. The LPA recommendation approves four deviations the applicant requested, most prominently an 18‑foot increase above the baseline 30‑foot allowable height measured from the design flood elevation in certain portions of the site to allow a five‑story configuration with rooftop amenities.

Nut graf: Applicant and staff described multiple public benefits tied to the project: replacement of the original 75 units, improved beach access amenities including a new MobiMat for beach access, a new sidewalk and parallel parking on Miramar Street to support public access, repaired pool and decking landward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL), and an economic analysis estimating annual local spending by EIBC visitors.

Staff and applicant presentations

Jason Smalley, senior planner for the town, summarized the application and staff analysis and noted that the redevelopment would reproduce the pre‑storm unit count and that staff concluded the proposal met the applicable CPD criteria with the recommended conditions. The applicant team said the proposal reduces tower massing from earlier iterations, maintains the 75‑unit density, and includes a menu of public benefits intended to be conveyed to the town.

For the applicant, Amy Sarris Tobo said, \"We are requesting to rebuild the 75 multifamily timeshare units that existed prior to Hurricane Ian.\" The applicant’s planner, Fred Dralwick, added that the redesign lowered the highest portions of the project and that the plan includes enhanced landscaping, a 15‑foot setback along Estero Boulevard, and active rooftop terraces.

Public benefits, parking and height

The applicant offered several public improvements as part of the CPD package: construction of a sidewalk and parallel public parking spaces on Miramar Street (to be built by the applicant and conveyed to the town for long‑term maintenance), replacement of a MobiMat beach access mat, re‑surfacing a previously hard‑packed section of Miramar, and refurbishment of the pool deck and associated amenities landward of the CCCL.

On parking and FAR, staff and the applicant showed the design accommodates 91 parking spaces under the building (more than the pre‑storm count) using the downtown‑district parking discount. The key deviation is height: portions of the building will rise to roughly 48 feet above the design flood elevation (about 18 feet above the 30‑foot standard), which the applicant justified to achieve modern unit sizes and rooftop amenity space while keeping unit count unchanged.

Economic impact and ownership process

The applicant presented an economic analysis estimating the rebuilt timeshare would host about 11,100 visitor stays annually, generating roughly $11 million in local expenditures and producing approximately $620,000 in annual sales tax revenue for local governments. Jim Murley, president of the EIBC board, described the property’s long ownership history and said the board must return plans to owners for approval and secure financing after any council approval; he asked for the LPA’s support to allow the ownership process to proceed.

Vote and next steps

The LPA motion recommended approval with staff conditions, including final architectural details and coordination on public improvements and signage for safe pedestrian crossing near the site. The motion carried unanimously (recorded votes: Jim — Aye; Don — Aye; Doug — Aye; Jane — Aye; John — Aye; Anita (chair) — Aye). If the Town Council approves the ordinance, the applicant must still obtain required development orders, building permits and state approvals before construction.

Ending: The applicant said it will present the proposal and financing plan to timeshare owners if council approval is obtained; the board intends to move quickly to an owner vote and to follow the permitting and construction schedule if owners approve financing.","The Fort Myers Beach LPA unanimously recommended approval of a CPD rezoning to rebuild the Estero Island Beach Club (1836 Estero Boulevard) to the pre‑storm 75‑unit timeshare configuration with a revised five‑story design, added public beach access improvements and on‑site parking under the building.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fort Myers Beach LPA unanimously recommends rezoning to rebuild Salty Crab with conditions

LPA backs tighter public‑notice rules for rezonings and major land use hearings

LPA backs Estero Island Beach Club rebuild, citing economic benefits and public access improvements