Planning board recommends denial of alcohol-variance request for proposed cafe near Jewish Community Center

The Marco Island Planning Board voted to forward a recommendation for denial to City Council on a variance request that would allow beer-and-wine service at a proposed café near a Jewish congregation.

Planning manager Mary Holden told the board the application seeks an exemption from a 500-foot locational restriction in the alcohol code and that staff had received comment from the Jewish Community and a resident objection. Holden explained that the proposal would not involve full-liquor sales and is limited to beer and wine with on-premises consumption.

Property owner Fred Kramer, who said he has lived on Marco Island since 1977, told the board the request is for a small cafe-style operation and that he reached a private agreement with the Jewish congregation for protections related to services. "This is the essence of the agreement we have with the congregation, and we fully appreciate and respect their services and their operation," Kramer said, adding that the proposed operation is not a bar and that restaurants on the island commonly serve beer and wine.

Public commenter Victoria Myers strongly opposed granting the variance, calling it a matter of community standards. "This is an ordinance. He's asking for a variance. Why would we set this precedent?" she asked during public comment, adding, "It's a simple no."

Board members debated whether the variance section requires a showing of hardship, differences in where the locational restriction lives in city code (alcohol code versus land-development code), and whether conditions tied to the variance could mitigate congregation concerns. David Toles said reasonable conditions related to hours or dates could be included if they are reasonably related to the variance request.

After deliberation and roll-call voting, the board decided to forward a resolution that recommends denial to City Council.