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Lee County chairman and neighboring commissioners meet over Boca Grande parking; mediator timeline raised
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Summary
Lee County Chair Cecil Pendergrass met with Charlotte County commissioners to discuss Boca Grande parking rules, lost public spaces, ADA access and a possible state parcel for parking. Lee County staff reported 328 regulated spaces; staff proposed adding a pause on Chapter 164 mediation to future agendas; no vote was taken.
Lee County Chairman Cecil Pendergrass opened a joint meeting with Charlotte County commissioners to discuss parking and access on Boca Grande, saying the county's ordinance was intended to protect property and public safety after repeated vehicle and driveway-blocking incidents. “My name is Cecil Pendergrass, currently the chairman of the Lee County Commission,” he said, calling the session to order.
Charlotte County representatives pressed Lee County to consider alternatives to enforcement-only approaches and raised concerns about lost public parking and ADA access. A Charlotte County commissioner said residents had counted as many as “3 to 400 spaces” lost after the ordinance and urged the two counties to explore shared solutions, including using a state-owned parcel identified by its trailing digits as 0040.
Lee County officials and staff described the ordinance as the product of years of public input. An unnamed Lee County commissioner said the legislation drew “over 1,200 participants” in the public-comment process, and that the county's goal was not to deny beach access but to address safety and property impacts.
Rob Price of Lee County's Department of Transportation said staff had not quantified pre-ordinance totals but that, under the regulations the board adopted, “there's about 328 spaces present available today.” County staff and visiting commissioners discussed whether design tweaks, seasonal rules or permit/tag systems could increase usable spaces without compromising safety or ADA access.
Speakers emphasized accessibility concerns for veterans and people with disabilities. A Charlotte County commissioner said residents had submitted a petition to an ADA coordinator and asked that any adjustments ensure continued beach access for those with mobility needs.
Both counties agreed to share data from a newly formed Boca Grande parking panel; Charlotte County asked that committee minutes and analyses be forwarded to its county administrator so staff from both counties could coordinate on possible solutions. Participants discussed that a redesign of existing spaces might yield additional capacity in some locations.
Lee County's attorney raised a separate procedural question about the Chapter 164 alternative-dispute-resolution process that has been opened between the counties. The attorney said staff could seek mutual agreement to hold further Chapter 164 proceedings in abeyance while boards and staff continue to work through issues and recommended that, if the parties wish to postpone formal mediation, a motion be placed on each board's agenda. He also noted that, absent such an agreement, the parties are required to appoint a mediator within 14 days of the meeting.
No motion was taken at the joint session. Commissioners agreed to add the proposed pause on Chapter 164 procedures to their upcoming agendas and to continue sharing committee minutes and data. The meeting was adjourned with direction for staff to look further into the state parcel and ADA improvements.
