Charlotte County moves to formally challenge Lee County parking ordinance affecting Boca Grande

The Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 28 to initiate the statutory dispute-resolution process with Lee County and prepare for a possible injunction over a new Lee County parking ordinance that residents say restricts public beach access to Boca Grande.

The move followed nearly three hours of public comment from Charlotte County residents and business owners who told the board the Lee County ordinance removed long-standing public parking without adequate study and harmed workers, disabled residents and local businesses. "File that injunction you've discussed," resident Cheryl Webster told commissioners, urging them to "act boldly now."

The board—s action directs the county attorney to draft a resolution to start the process under Florida's Governmental Conflict Resolution Act (Chapter 164, Florida Statutes) and continues efforts to work with state lawmakers and agencies. "If we don't do something, nothing's going to happen," Commissioner Deutsch said during the discussion, urging legal action to press Lee County on the issue.

Why it matters: Speakers and several commissioners said the ordinance eliminated or restricted parking on public streets with beach access, limited parking to three hours in town and offered no replacement ADA spaces. Residents and a local organizing group, the Gasparilla Beach Access Coalition, argued the ordinance was enacted without a traffic or parking study and said it favored private island property owners.

What the board directed: County Attorney Jeanette Knowlton told the board the conflict-resolution statute requires a resolution that lays out the issues, participants, and a venue for an initial conflict-assessment meeting. Commissioners asked staff to prepare that resolution for the board—s Nov. 12 meeting and discussed whether to use a facilitator and specify the board—s desired outcomes, including asking Lee County to suspend enforcement or conduct a joint parking study. Commissioner Constance moved to begin the legally required dispute-resolution process and instructed staff to prepare the resolution; the board adopted the motion unanimously.

Public testimony and follow-up: More than a dozen residents, business owners and civic groups urged immediate legal steps. Speakers included restaurant owners who said employees have already been cited, residents who worry about declining property values, and volunteers who said they could not obtain permits to access the island for wildlife rescues. Several speakers also asked the county to seek review from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the governor's inspector general; commissioners said they would keep pursuing all available channels.

Next steps: The county will file a resolution under Chapter 164 that initiates a short, statutory dispute-resolution timeline requiring a conflict-assessment meeting and, if necessary, a joint public meeting of the two boards. Commissioners said the state legislative delegation had expressed interest in a legislative solution but also warned that legislative negotiations could pause if legal action begins. Commissioners emphasized they could pause litigation if negotiations produced acceptable results.

Ending: The board—s vote formalizes Charlotte County—s involvement in the dispute and sets a timeline for internal staff work. Commissioners asked residents to provide records and documentation to county staff, and to expect the item again at the Nov. 12 board meeting.