Council approves special exception for former Beach Theater with limits on outdoor music and seasonally required valet parking; parking variance cleared 4–1

Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted to approve a set of special exceptions for the former Beach Theater property at 6425 Estero Boulevard, allowing on‑site alcohol consumption, outdoor seating after sunset and limited live/outdoor entertainment — but only under a lengthy set of conditions designed to limit noise, parking overflow and neighborhood impacts. The council’s approval of resolution 25-239 was conditioned on the separate approval of a parking variance (resolution 25-240); the variance passed later in the meeting by a 4–1 vote.

What the council approved: The special‑exception package allows consumption on premises, new outdoor seating after sunset, and limited live entertainment consistent with the town’s Commercial Boulevard zoning standards. The council’s approval incorporated numerous conditions negotiated with staff and the Planning & Zoning board (LPA) intended to mitigate noise, limit parking impacts and require management controls.

Key conditions the council attached: Following presentations and a tightly contested public hearing, council required that outdoor amplified music be limited to 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily; that ground‑level food and beverage service be limited to 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; and that upstairs (enclosed) operations be allowed to remain open later (the council kept a midnight ending for enclosed upstairs operations). The council also required physical buffers and new perimeter walls in specified locations, a continuous hedgerow, and that certain glass or bifold doors be closed at night or be engineered in compliance with…