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Council extends Susie Q’s temporary outdoor-consumption permit for six months
Summary
After a six-month review, the council extended the temporary outdoor-consumption approval for Susie Q’s Tiki Bar at 163 Old San Carlos Boulevard for six months, with staff monitoring of complaints and continued requirement to address permit conditions.
Fort Myers Beach — The council reviewed a six-month check-in on Susie Q’s Tiki Bar’s temporary outdoor-consumption special exception for 163 Old San Carlos Boulevard and voted to extend the permit for an additional six months on Feb. 3, 2025. Councilors requested that Susie Q continue working with code compliance on noise and signage concerns and encouraged nearby residents to report any violations formally to enforcement staff.
At the review staff reported no open code violations but said the town had received two resident contacts calling out noise volume and an A-frame sign placed on the sidewalk. Staff reminded the council that code compliance enforces ordinances when formal complaints are filed and said it had forwarded the two recent contacts for investigation. Owner and operator Susie Q (owner Susie) and her DJ said the business is shutting amplified music off by 10 p.m. and that their hours and set-up vary by season and weather; they said they were taking steps to reduce sound and would cooperate with staff.
Council members acknowledged the economic and recovery pressures on small businesses while stressing the need for consistent enforcement and neighborly practices. Several councilors said the town staff should continue to respond promptly to any formal noise or sidewalk sign complaints and that code enforcement should document any repeat violations.
The council voted unanimously to extend the special exception for six months and directed staff to confirm progress on the adjacent property’s cleanup and the operator’s progress on the permit’s conditions. Susie told council she is pursuing required appraisals and insurance actions related to damage at adjacent property parcels and said she will work with staff to address outstanding matters.
Why it matters: The extension gives the operator more time to stabilize operations while leaving a clear path for enforcement should permit conditions be violated; neighbors and the operator both told council they want a workable balance between nightlife and residential quiet in the Old San Carlos commercial district.
