[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6196185,"mediaKeyId","3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520","parentId",3857959,"title","Council approves Estero Island Beach Club CPD, adopts conditions after neighborhood concerns over Miramar parking and turnaround","audioSeconds",1635,"startMs",4615000,"endMs",6250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520&start=4615&end=6250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520/thumbnail_4615000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196185/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Council-approves-Estero-Island-Beach-Club-CPD-adopts-conditions-after-neighborhood-concerns-over-Miramar-parking-and-turnaround","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196185-e64036c8f8b1aaa0a4130af8262651dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107581&Signature=QuHYYx6OsqPCAhpsvWUwNuckPhrxU~ehRKaLVyKISXrsxkiFtsrpKGv7lCRnGy3D8gsFWCeK9nfROdxrGaH2JDApz-XoxAW~jM2B6DgcMJF9~by6Dm3YgKPZaItOsnbl8MNbc1yLqFy-docGgxDa9jYQG2tp~xjNNzObIB-l0cFurd-IbBDUt5Nd~ggevFJ5KiTKuXy7gmVID72j5xblum65lPbxMt-1GXKEIUGoE8QUd5ki2t5G-nPA5om3LneDNixejhdMui~EwjcIN5x-CLlvwmiaRViPbw4Hg-pUMRO8hnTxTpo285zAbZqqdPTspjHt5GGmrep2UCOGx1UjAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of For Myers Beach, FL","date","2025-06-18T09:40:06.257Z","article","The Town Council on Monday approved Ordinance 25‑13 to rezone the Estero Island Beach Club property to a Commercial Planned Development and granted four deviations related to operable doors, Ground‑Floor screening, build‑to setbacks and height. The council adopted a detailed Exhibit A of conditions the applicant agreed to provide as public benefits. The measure passed unanimously.

What staff and applicant presented
Jason Smalley, senior planner, and applicant representatives explained the four deviations being requested and detailed a list of public benefits the applicant proposed, including a shaded seating area, sidewalk extension along Miramar Street that will be dedicated to the town, bike racks, a MobiMat for beach access and up to five right‑of‑way parking spaces at the end of Miramar (and a turnaround) to serve beach access.

Neighborhood concerns and council response
Julian Roland, a Miramar Street resident, told council that Miramar is a narrow residential street and that adding roadside public parking and a turnaround could create constant traffic, safety problems and loss of neighborhood character. He proposed instead converting Miramar to a pedestrian corridor and argued five spaces would be insufficient and would encourage repeat vehicle trips searching for parking.

Council discussion and adopted changes
Council members debated competing public benefits. Staff and the applicant were asked to preserve flexibility; language was modified to allow town staff and the town manager to determine final details of the Miramar parking count and configuration. The council added and approved conditions that:
- Require the property owner to construct a delivery plan and drop‑off/turnaround for Beach Access 31, with the delivery plan to be approved by the town manager or designee prior to issuance of a local development order or occupancy.
- Require the owner to install a MobiMat and cooperate to make the beach access ADA‑accessible; the MobiMat and ADA devices will be turned over to the town for maintenance.
- Require the owner to provide shaded seating, bike racks, enhanced perimeter landscaping and to dedicate the new Miramar sidewalk to the town prior to certificate of occupancy.

Vote and next steps
Councilor King moved the ordinance; Mayor Allen seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will finalize language with the applicant to reflect the council’s direction and will administer the conditions during development‑order review.

Ending note
The approval balanced neighborhood concerns about Miramar Street traffic with the applicant’s offer of park‑side public benefits and new beach accessibility infrastructure; the exact Miramar parking configuration will be determined by town staff with authority delegated to the town manager.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting, June 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved a rezoning and four deviations for the Estero Island Beach Club redevelopment, with specific conditions requiring a town‑approved delivery/turnaround plan, MobiMat beach access and other public benefits while leaving the final Miramar parking plan to town staff.","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},6196195,"Fort Myers Beach council approves expanded CPD for Lighthouse Island Resort, approves higher unit count and deviations",422,728000,1150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520&start=728&end=1150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520/thumbnail_728000.jpg","/articles/6196195/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Fort-Myers-Beach-council-approves-expanded-CPD-for-Lighthouse-Island-Resort-approves-higher-unit-count-and-deviations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196195-85274af92cf2931bac04a4977a7c5901/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107581&Signature=Tq3FSBp5fuECRe4jbF6q7FXKQq745pNAxtEGv03SnsF6Z40gd3CjyurG5ClXbEeHMjDOd9Ew5odHog30qGb03ojs-tBQXVzIRnfqT~CvxlBR5seJ1MdnKk~apqladdCx6uOReZc7iV2-NR9vMqidfnAVLvf9bwm7JeHq3oONbU3LnhHMMah7Rqj971WdaRtvJOsiiIJq-KCu4YRfvae6gE59Nd13Uzbz8QcI-losChKxvSH0VyErF4IFVRfUyQyPI~9BfR-pQBXueZRujh5l3uorzWbe23Q4T1j8xBUyJ7qYRwUprWWemkhx8PE5BA4ODy9lcLLctKkDBk0zFftyyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved two related land-use ordinances on Monday allowing Lighthouse Island Resort to expand its Commercial Planned Development boundary and amend its master concept plan to increase lodging from 75 to 130 units and request multiple deviations from the town's land development code.

The council’s approvals let the applicant add 1060 Third Street to the existing CPD and amend the master concept plan to increase hotel units, change internal uses and request 11 deviations, including a request for a 58% reduction in required on-site parking. The council approved the boundary expansion (Ordinance 25-10) and the CPD amendment (Ordinance 25-11). Both motions passed with four votes in favor and one abstention (Mary Alice), 4–0.

Why the council acted: town planning staff recommended approval of the boundary expansion and said the CPD amendment is “consistent with the Fort Myers Beach comprehensive plan.” Judith Frankel, community development, told the council the parcels are in the pedestrian commercial future land‑use category and staff finds the proposed changes meet the criteria in the land development code.

Key details and debate
- Uses and density: The existing CPD allowed 75 lodging units; the applicant asked to increase that to 130 units with a relocated restaurant/bar and reduced retail accessory space (from 5,000 sf to 500 sf). Judith Frankel noted the CPD amendment remains consistent with the comprehensive plan and the area’s pedestrian commercial intent.
- Deviations: The applicant requested relief on 11 items, including allowing under‑building parking to be excluded from FAR, increased building height (up to 40 feet 5 inches above base flood elevation in parts), reduced street setbacks, larger mural‑style signage, and a 58% reduction in required parking (proposed 82 on‑site spaces). Frankel said staff supports the deviations except for the parking reduction, where she asked the council to weigh appropriateness; staff suggested a minimum of one space per room (130) would better accommodate guests and employees.
- Applicant position: Megan Strayhorn, legal counsel for the applicant, said the project team and staff had made minor edits to conditions and that the team was “comfortable with providing the 82 parking spaces and do request that deviation.”
- Council review: Councilors asked about how many rooms would be allowed by right (Frankel said without a CPD amendment they would not be allowed more than the previously approved 75) and about prior approvals and equivalency factors used to calculate allowable density.

What the council decided and next steps
The council approved both the CPD boundary expansion and the CPD amendment with conditions. Each ordinance passed on the second reading with motions and recorded votes (motioners, seconders and vote tallies are listed below). Staff and the applicant will finalize minor wording edits to the conditions of approval and proceed to the local development order stage where detailed plans and elevations will be required.

Ending note
The council’s approvals allow the resort to consolidate operations under a single CPD and proceed with the amended master plan, but the substantial parking deviation remains a matter the council discussed in detail; the final project will have to satisfy the conditions added to the ordinances and move through the development‑order review process.","The Fort Myers Beach Town Council on Monday approved a pair of ordinances that expand the Lighthouse Island Resort's Commercial Planned Development and amend its master concept plan to add parcels and increase lodging to 130 units, while approving multiple deviations from the town's land development code.",{"_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},6196182,"Town awards Estero Island dune planting contract to Earth Balance to restore post‑Ian dunes",70,8613000,8683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520&start=8613&end=8683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520/thumbnail_8613000.jpg","/articles/6196182/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Town-awards-Estero-Island-dune-planting-contract-to-Earth-Balance-to-restore-postIan-dunes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196182-1514698fbfc696f7cc7fabe80c3cbf66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107581&Signature=MhecdviQPfrQ495a7BeGMnPbqWhA6bpTMhUbV~jnDxFMNtw8pYfqW0RINUXKSt-ueOmycZQS02dmgMgAkUPCgnOYXv-VcI2pgzTmSyffNje6xH~ot3~un6fUoGU~Pos3xrEm25zsDCueLBrancR8Chbyz5-3Ijo5cxBZkfcwDQiyMzPxuI01FZPY~GUQMHtFG6k~DDPqUVvj2MIP4tKqlpeINkFmEAwlnQJ~RP4BIU0uYfDnCDwBo10DgVRcqfwSfBRWfs0j7fSBWpsRCZRUpqUVJDXbr9wI5k8haQtNcX8GsbYK4Dtwc6jrzwxg1paw6oF37l9qSZgiNG1DYobdLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council awarded a contract to Earth Balance Corporation to install dune plantings across sections of Estero Island as part of the island’s beach renourishment and dune management program. The low‑bid award (ITB 25‑02‑EN) will fund plantings from Bowditch northward and through areas covered by the recent renourishment.

Funding and scope
The agreement authorizes the town manager to sign a contract not to exceed $509,859.50. Council noted the town’s direct fiscal exposure was budgeted and small relative to the total cost: approximately $76,988.78 will come from town budgeted funds and the remainder will be covered by grants including FDEP and FEMA mitigation funds, which were cited during discussion.

Plants, profile and outreach
Staff said they intend to use a “low‑profile” planting mix unless property owners request a different option. The low‑profile plan emphasizes salt‑tolerant grasses (bitter panicum), rail‑road vine and dune daisies with roughly 15% sea oats; county and regional coordination will guide planting along municipally‑controlled shoreline and help inform community outreach.

Timing and property owner interface
The town will post a public information notice and contact property owners about where openings in the dune will be maintained. Staff said nurseries have known the project was coming and they expect plant stock to be available soon; schedule details will be provided once the contractor sets phasing.

Vote and next steps
The council voted unanimously to award the contract. Staff will finalize a planting schedule, notify property owners, and coordinate with grant administrators to implement the work.","Council authorized a $509,859.50 contract with Earth Balance Corporation to plant dune vegetation along Estero Island from Bowditch to Big Carlos Pass; town's share of the project is budgeted at roughly $76,989 with state and federal grants covering the remainder.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196190,"Council approves Salty Crab redevelopment rezoning, requires delivery plan and commits to negotiating wave‑mitigation cooperation",845,2903000,3748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520&start=2903&end=3748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857959-6dc5bfe8390870773812c227016d7520/thumbnail_2903000.jpg","/articles/6196190/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Council-approves-Salty-Crab-redevelopment-rezoning-requires-delivery-plan-and-commits-to-negotiating-wavemitigation-cooperation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196190-2027351b5cc1821d50b8328580bb1d43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771107581&Signature=CGKcyjk-VvHyicP72g95~diXzsqPu6FOqrtdahcKDdcndUzhIL2rhopX11LlPGmoKwcxwTNhY-~lQfvgPeU3LCZ7Fw0i4xfOFp3VIDPmAKRBVuZOvg3shd~Xg~Qtz56PFgocsfPV2c7vTkRxMyoVPC6UgP3zYUhyChAG3XOmyYQe3L~xXc5n3uCnN6DKG2LOb3eM7~~Pe26jvLVdBje5B0pcitEtPHtLolCmDXUchTzK7X-sinegRAuVfAdKYJciL1dMGYKWf0WyDTIe60BcPDOP5nvfSD2lXjwClNhBl9jp3lszv6JAce0AJgZnVZC4OznppTsyUKyfbQKC0-deGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council voted to approve the Salty Crab restaurant redevelopment plan, rezoning the property at 1154 Estero Boulevard from downtown to a Commercial Planned Development (CPD) to allow a higher floor‑area ratio, different setbacks and larger signs. The ordinance (25‑12) passed on second reading as presented.

Staff summary and recommendation
Planning staff told the council the CPD request stems from the need to evaluate the property using commercial‑resort standards; the applicant seeks a higher FAR (from 1.2 to 1.96), reduced setbacks (including street and side setbacks), larger signage and a reduction in parking requirements. Judith Frankel, Community Development, summarized the deviations and said staff recommends approval with conditions, noting the LPA had supported the application 7–0.

Delivery/loading concern and condition
Council and staff had repeatedly flagged concerns about delivery trucks loading/unloading on Estero Boulevard and blocking traffic. The applicant presented an operational solution: using a nearby town‑owned parking lot for large truck deliveries outside peak times and then moving goods a short distance to the restaurant by dolly. The council adopted a condition that the applicant must submit a delivery/loading plan for approval; the final wording requires the applicant to “pursue a delivery plan to be approved by the town manager or designee” and to have a draft agreement in place before occupancy. The condition was intentionally written to allow either an agreement with the town or an alternative solution, subject to town manager review.

Wave mitigation wall and other conditions
Council also included a condition asking the property owner to “make a good faith effort to cooperate and fully explore participation” in any future wave dissipation/wave mitigation wall study and related projects; the applicant said it would not oppose participating but asked that any such participation not be a zoning condition. The council accepted language that records the applicant’s commitment to cooperate without making participation a precondition.

Votes and next steps
Councilor King moved the ordinance; Vice Mayor Aderholt seconded. The vote to approve was unanimous. The applicant must finalize the town‑manager‑approved delivery/loading plan before receiving a certificate of occupancy; staff will track and administer the condition as part of the local development order process.","The council rezoned the Salty Crab site to a commercial planned development and approved deviations including increased FAR and expanded signage, but added conditions requiring the developer to provide a delivery/loading plan approved by the town manager and to work in good faith with the town on a potential wave dissipation wall study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Estero Island Beach Club CPD, adopts conditions after neighborhood concerns over Miramar parking and turnaround

Fort Myers Beach council approves expanded CPD for Lighthouse Island Resort, approves higher unit count and deviations

Town awards Estero Island dune planting contract to Earth Balance to restore post‑Ian dunes

Council approves Salty Crab redevelopment rezoning, requires delivery plan and commits to negotiating wave‑mitigation cooperation