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Board grants Jug Creek Marina extra time on violation deadline; county attorney warns matter is before hearing examiner
Summary
After testimony from Pine Island residents and business owners, the board voted to grant an extension to Jug Creek Marina on a development-order violation to Nov. 19, 2025, while the county attorney advised the board that the matter is quasi-judicial and recommended referring any extension to the hearing examiner for formal order.
The Lee County Board moved on June 3 to extend the deadline for violation case 2025695 related to Jug Creek Marina on Pine Island, allowing the owner additional time to pursue compliance while the county and the business coordinate engineering, licensing and land-use remedies.
Multiple speakers from the community and the property owners described extensive post-Ian repairs, investments in infrastructure and the venue's role as a local employer and community gathering space. Owner Joe Williamson and speakers including Melinda Powell and Ernestine Squires emphasized the facility's economic and charitable contributions, including scholarships awarded through the Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund.
Owners asked the board to extend a June 4 deadline; the board granted an extension to Nov. 19, 2025. The county attorney cautioned the board that the case is currently before the hearing officer and described it as a quasi-judicial proceeding, advising the board to consider a recommendation to the hearing officer so the record reflects any extension.
"The respondents are represented by counsel. I would respectfully suggest that you alter your motion to make a recommendation to the hearing officer that she consider an extension as this case is within her jurisdiction at this time," the county attorney told the board during deliberations.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns, noted many violations had already been resolved, and said they were persuaded by the community testimony and the property owners' work since Hurricane Ian. One commissioner moved for an extension to Nov. 19; another commissioner seconded. After discussion about process, the board approved the extension unanimously and directed staff and legal counsel to coordinate with the hearing examiner's office to formalize the extension if necessary.
Staff and counsel said they would seek an order from the hearing officer to eliminate procedural confusion about whether the hearing examiner or the board should authorize such extensions going forward.
The board's action preserves the venue's ability to continue operations while the owners pursue the local land-development-order (LDO) process and related engineering work; speakers and commissioners said the extension would allow the owners to complete required steps including engineering, licensing and an LDO special-exception application.
