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Council approves Delmar Avenue duplex rezoning and tiki‑hut replacement at 4750 Estero in separate land‑use hearings
Summary
At public hearings Sept. 11 the Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved a rezoning request for a two‑unit rebuild on Delmar Avenue and separately granted a special exception to replace two beachfront tiki huts at a condominium property.
Two quasi‑judicial land‑use matters were approved by the Fort Myers Beach Town Council on Sept. 11 during public hearings.
Delmar Avenue rezoning: The council approved, at first reading, Ordinance 25‑15 to rezone parcels at 138–140 Delmar Avenue from Residential Conservation (RC) to Residential Planned Development (RPD) to allow reconstruction of a two‑unit duplex above required flood elevation. The applicant proposed an increase in total square footage compared with the prior structure and sought a code deviation to allow porch and stoop elements to encroach 15 feet into the 25‑foot street setback where 10 feet is normally permitted; staff recommended approval with three conditions. Planning staff explained the RPD process is the established path in the comprehensive plan when unit square footage increases on a rebuild.
Tiki huts and beachfront decking at 4750 Estero Boulevard: The council also approved Special Exception SEZ20250149 to allow a like‑for‑like replacement of two existing tiki huts, decking, fencing, gravel driveway and landscaping that lie seaward of the 1978 Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) at Shores of Fort Myers Beach condominium property. Staff noted the proposal is landward of the existing seawall, that aerial imagery verifies the structures existed at least as far back as 2002, and that landscaping/species will be reviewed by the town’s coastal/dune staff; a condition prohibits work within turtle season (beginning Nov. 1).
Why it matters: both actions are tied to post‑Ian rebuilding and routine coastal development regulation. The Delmar rezoning formalizes a path for replacing and modestly enlarging a duplex while preserving code findings on neighborhood compatibility; the tiki‑hut exception permits replacement of pre‑existing amenity structures with town conditions meant to protect coastal resources and nesting turtles.
Ending: Both actions passed unanimously. The Delmar rezoning will return for second reading and final adoption at a future council meeting.
