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Developer pitches mixed‑use River District West project near Edison Ford estate; council questions density and scale
Summary
KLM Develop presented a conceptual mixed‑use plan calling for a marquee hotel, 250–300 apartments and expanded marina and public river access at the Pinchers site; council members raised density, zoning, and adjacency concerns near historic Edison Ford Estate and asked for further review of zoning and PUD needs.
A developer representing KLM Develop presented conceptual plans for a mixed‑use project on River District West parcels that include the Pinchers restaurant site, adjacent parking and a nearby church site. Mark McLaren said the concept would include a 250–300‑room flagship hotel, 250–300 high‑end apartments, restaurants, retail, event space and a marina expansion, and he described the project as a bridge between the existing River District East and the Edison Ford Estate.
McLaren said the parcels are currently in multiple zoning categories (urban core, urban central and urban general) and that the project would likely require rezoning and a planned unit development to achieve the proposed massing and a potential 23‑story building on the main parcel. "I would look at this from a standpoint of what value does this bring to the city of Fort Myers," McLaren said, arguing a destination hotel and event space could support conventions and the Edison Ford Estate's programming.
Several council members voiced concern about scale and density. One councilmember pointed out the existing maximum units‑per‑acre allowances and questioned how the proposed unit counts fit current zoning; another described the project as "a far reach" and said it could make parts of downtown feel more like larger resort cities. Councilmembers also stressed sensitivity near historic resources and noted the need to consider cumulative area‑wide development rather than a single parcel in isolation.
McLaren said the proposal is conceptual and committed to continued engagement with the city, the Edison Ford Estate and planning staff. Staff noted initial conversations with planning and zoning and said potential rezoning, PUD creation and detailed massing studies would be necessary before any formal application.
