The Town Council of Fort Myers Beach convened on June 16, 2025, to discuss a significant rezoning request from RVI Planning and Landscape Architecture on behalf of Greg Powers and Clownfish Restaurant Holdings LLC. The proposal seeks to rezone a property from downtown to a commercial planned development to facilitate the rebuilding of the Salty Crab restaurant and an ice cream shop at 1154 Estero Boulevard, which were destroyed during Hurricane Ian.

The application, which was previously reviewed by the Local Planning Agency (LPA) on May 13, received unanimous approval with conditions. The council noted that the request includes several deviations from the current land development code, primarily due to the need for a higher floor area ratio (FAR) and reduced setback requirements.

Key deviations requested include:
1. A reduction in street setbacks from 10 feet to 0 feet, aligning with downtown zoning standards.
2. A decrease in side setbacks from 20 feet to 0 feet.
3. An increase in the FAR from the allowed 1.2 to 1.96, which the applicant argues is justified when accounting for certain areas of the building.
4. Adjustments to parking requirements, which would necessitate 64 parking spaces based on the restaurant's size and outdoor seating.

Town staff expressed support for the deviations, stating that they enhance the objectives of the planned development and align with the town's comprehensive plan. The council is tasked with considering whether strict adherence to the current FAR limit is necessary for public interest.

The meeting underscored the town's ongoing recovery efforts post-Hurricane Ian and highlighted the importance of balancing development needs with community standards. The council's decision on the rezoning request will be pivotal in shaping the future of this area along Estero Boulevard.