Residents urge action on gated access, Matlacha recovery and workshop public comment during Lee County meeting

Three members of the public addressed the board during the Oct. 16 public-comment period on matters of local concern.

Private-access gates (Bonita Springs area) Shane Snell said he and his family own five acres in unincorporated Bonita Springs and that gates installed by the South Florida Water Management District now block a public right-of-way to his property. Snell said he believed the gates were unlawful because the right-of-way had not been vacated and that he had not received notice of any vacation petition. He asked the county to remove the gates or otherwise restore his access. The chairman asked staff to follow up with Snell after the meeting and suggested county lands or county manager staff would attempt to assist in obtaining clarification with the state agency.

Matlacha recovery and demolitions Carol Scott, president of the Matlacha Civic Association, thanked commissioners and county staff for restoration work at Bat House Park, the Matlacha Community Park and the civic building after Hurricane Ian. Scott said three hurricane-damaged buildings (referred to by name in the record) had been approved for demolition; she described those demolitions as an important step for community recovery and said the island looks forward to further planning work. Scott also announced that the Florida Institute for Building and Resiliency (UF IFBR team) will present a public-space, parking and resiliency study to the Historic Preservation Board on Oct. 30.

Workshop public participation Joyce Campana urged the board to allow public participation at workshop meetings. Campana said she had circulated a petition signed by 60 residents and argued the board’s practice differed from other local authorities such as the school district. Board members, the county attorney and staff responded: the county attorney recapped legal limits (no final action at workshops under the Sunshine Law), and commissioners described multiple avenues for public input, including speaking on the posted agenda item labeled for workshop public comment, meeting materials posted online, written comments, and meetings with individual commissioners or staff. The board agreed staff would follow up on public concerns and reiterated that items discussed in workshops return to a regular board meeting for final action and public comment.