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LPA presses staff on Wyndham temporary uses and parking, seeks clarity before London Bay special meeting
Summary
Fort Myers Beach planning members on March 10 pressed staff to explain how temporary-placement permits and development agreements would be handled for the Wyndham site after residents reported as many as 269 parking spaces; staff said the town manager approves temporary-use permits while long-term layout and utilities are addressed through a development agreement and later development order.
Members of the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency spent a sizable portion of their March 10 meeting pressing staff for detail about temporary uses, parking and the development-agreement (DA) process for two high‑profile sites, including concerns raised about a Wyndham property that residents said could include as many as 269 parking spaces.
The chair said the "main concern is they're hearing 269 parking places," and asked staff to explain what the public can expect. Jason Smalley, senior planner with the town, described two parallel tracks: short‑term temporary-placement permits (which could authorize trailers for bathrooms, food, ice and other services) that the town manager currently approves, and a longer-term development agreement and development order process—sometimes called an LDO or DO—that lays out site layout, utilities, parking and other permanent conditions and typically returns to the LPA and town council for review.
"Before they can bring any trailers or any temporary use on-site, they would need to get that temporary use application approved by the town through the town manager," Smalley said. He added temporary permits are often proposed for roughly a year to 18 months and may be phased, while the DA sets medium- and long-term rights and responsibilities.
Members voiced frustration that "temporary" approvals can remain in place or be extended and sought clearer public disclosure of what elements are negotiated between applicants and town management during DA preparation. One member summarized the sentiment: "Nobody on this island believes that the word temporary is real," arguing that repeated extensions can delay full redevelopment.
The town attorney said she will review prior minutes and authority granted to the town manager regarding temporary placements. Staff also said certain uses—such as paid parking—generally require a special exception and would therefore come before the LPA and ultimately the council, giving neighbors a formal review opportunity.
The LPA asked staff to follow up with the Wyndham applicant and to provide documentation explaining which ordinance or temporary-permit authority the town is relying on, and to pass along scheduling requests to the London Bay applicant so the LPA can hold a separate, all‑day special meeting if needed. The matter was left for staff follow-up and possible council review rather than immediate action by the LPA.
