Fort Myers Beach Council reviews Estero Island Beach Club redevelopment plans

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council convened on May 13, 2025, to discuss the Estero Island Beach Club timeshare redevelopment project, focusing on a proposal to rezone the property located at 1836 Estero Boulevard. The meeting included a review of the project's request for several deviations from existing zoning requirements.

The primary objective of the meeting was to evaluate the applicant's request to rezone the property from downtown to a commercial planned development (CPD). The proposal includes four specific deviations: the installation of operable doors along Estero Boulevard, modifications to ground floor screening requirements, increased building setbacks, and an increase in the maximum building height by 18 feet.

Jason Smalley, a senior planner with the town's planning department, presented the details of the redevelopment plan. The project aims to restore the 75 units that existed prior to a storm, maintaining the same number of units as before. The proposed building will feature a five-story structure, with four stories of usable space above a ground floor primarily designated for parking and storage.

The requested deviations are significant. The first deviation seeks to allow fewer operable doors than typically required for buildings with 50 feet of frontage on Estero Boulevard. The second deviation pertains to the ground floor screening, where the applicant proposes to provide some screening while requesting a waiver of the full requirement. The third deviation involves pushing the building further back from the roadway, proposing a 15-foot buffer along Estero Boulevard. The most notable request is for an additional 18 feet in height, allowing the building to reach approximately 68 feet above ground level.

In exchange for these deviations, the applicant has proposed public benefits, including the installation of MobiMats for beach access and the addition of a five-foot sidewalk on Miramar, which currently lacks pedestrian infrastructure. The staff has recommended approval of the project, contingent upon meeting specific conditions, including signage to enhance pedestrian safety.

The council also discussed potential parking opportunities on Palm Avenue, which could generate revenue for the town. The design of these parking spaces remains under review to ensure compliance with visibility requirements.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the town's efforts to balance redevelopment with community needs, as the council considers the implications of the proposed changes on local infrastructure and public access. Further discussions and evaluations will follow as the project moves forward.