Charlotte County asks Lee County to negotiate Boca Grande parking dispute; board authorizes third‑party facilitation if needed

Charlotte County’s Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 12 approved a resolution authorizing the county to seek conflict resolution with Lee County over recent Boca Grande parking changes and associated interlocal impacts.

The resolution (R6) instructs staff to pursue a formal Chapter 164 Florida conflict‑assessment and mediation pathway, to notify involved entities (including the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority) and to convene a county negotiation team. Commissioners expressed a clear objective: explore alternatives that restore access and mitigate business and resident impacts (for example mutual parking agreements, enhanced public transport, or removal of illegal landscaping encroachments reported by residents). The board discussed using a neutral facilitator during negotiations; staff said facilitation costs are typically split by parties but that the county could contract and seek reimbursement or a cost split if Lee County declined.

Public commenters at the start of the meeting had urged the county to take this step, asserting the local ordinance and its implementation were biased and harmed island residents and businesses. Commissioners emphasized that the resolution is a pathway to face‑to‑face negotiation rather than immediate litigation and authorized the county administrator to secure facilitation services should the board deem them necessary during the process.

Next steps: county counsel will notify Lee County and impacted parties and staff will work with the administrator to assemble the county negotiation team and to identify scope and outcomes for the conflict assessment. The board asked that staff include clear objectives such as restoration of pre‑ordinance parking where lawful and evaluation of mobility alternatives.

Why it matters: The issue involves a high‑visibility local beach access and parking dispute affecting businesses, residents and intergovernmental relationships; the board prioritized negotiation but kept litigation as an unresolved potential path if mediation fails.