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Lee County staff backs rezoning for Matlacha’s Blue Dog, including reduced on-site parking and outdoor alcohol service with conditions
Summary
Lee County staff recommended approval of a CPD rezoning for the Blue Dog restaurant in the Matlacha Historic District that would legalize longstanding outdoor seating and on‑site alcohol consumption and allow a reduction in required on‑site parking from 35 to 25 spaces, subject to conditions and edited plan details due Feb. 20, 2026.
Amanda Rivera, Lee County hearing examiner, opened a quasi‑judicial hearing Feb. 5 on DCI‑202300045, a request to rezone two parcels at 4597–4601 Pine Island Road from C‑1 to a Commercial Plan Development to legalize outdoor consumption and several site deviations for the Blue Dog restaurant in the Matlacha Historic District.
The applicant, represented by attorney Richard Aiken of Henderson Franklin, presented project planner Greg Stewart and traffic consultant Bill Oliver. Stewart said the request covers approximately 4,537 square feet of commercial intensity (2,704 sq ft indoor, 795 sq ft outdoor patio, 745 sq ft outdoor service area, 293 sq ft catering area) and that the outdoor deck accounts for roughly 30% of the restaurant’s…
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