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Property owners and neighbors debate fast options to reopen South End restaurants
Summary
Owners of the Wyndham property and nearby condo associations sought a path to reopen restaurants and a temporary special events strategy; neighbors urged protections and clear permitting steps. Council directed staff to examine options and flagged legal/process risks for recurring special‑event permits.
Owners and representatives for the Wyndham property on Fort Myers Beach asked the council during public comment to allow a temporary pathway that would enable a restaurant and bar in the South End to open quickly while development approvals proceed. John Callas, representing his family’s ownership, described prior cooperation with the town (staging for renourishment and emergency triage) and said the family planned to open a bar and restaurant as a phased approach. He said they will submit a recurring special events permit as a "plan C" and requested council place the item on the April 6 agenda for a public hearing.
Contractor Lee Seligton told the council the site could be cleaned and ready within 30 days if approvals were granted. Multiple condo association members and owners told the council they supported timely reopening, naming businesses such as Burt’s Beach Bar as ready to open and asking the town to expeditiously support the South End’s business recovery.
Neighbors and other council commentators cautioned that recurring special events permits can be a slippery slope: Town Attorney warned staff will review whether the recurring special events permit is an appropriate vehicle or whether development order or special exception mechanisms are required. Anita Sarasita, speaking in final public comment, urged caution and public process, saying recurring special events permits risk being used as de facto permanent business approvals.
Town Manager and staff said they had previously denied an ETPP application and advised the property owners to pursue other pathways; staff also said they can outline options, including potential development order phasing or a special exception process. Council asked staff to return with an analysis and to discuss the topic at MMP (the council's process meeting) so the public and council can better understand the options and risks.
Next steps: the applicant intends to submit a recurring special events permit and requested an April 6 hearing; staff will review the code, consult with the town attorney and return with recommendations on whether a special events permit, development order phasing, or other path is feasible.
