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LPA approves variances to rebuild home at 720 Estero Boulevard
Summary
The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency approved three variances for 720 Estero Boulevard to allow reconstruction of a single-family house with reduced front, rear and side setbacks; the board approved the request unanimously but staff said the item will go to town council for additional review.
The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency voted unanimously to approve three variances that will allow a single-family residence to be rebuilt at 720 Estero Boulevard with reduced setbacks.
Staff read the variance application and noted four requested variances; the applicant trimmed the request to three after staff clarified lot-coverage treatment. Applicant representative (James Inc) told the panel the rebuilding request “will allow a new home to be reconstructed on 720 of similar footprint to what was there before.” The packet included a site-plan comparison and prior footprints; the applicant said the proposed 1,279-square-foot footprint is smaller than the historic 1,313-square-foot home lost in Hurricane Ian.
Board members questioned whether similar properties in the 700 block required the same approvals and pressed staff on strict variance criteria in the land development code. Staff explained variance standards are narrowly drawn and noted that prior rulings and administrative interpretations have differed over time. The applicant argued extraordinary conditions caused by Hurricane Ian and the lot’s narrow width (50.08 feet) justify the minimum variance necessary for reconstruction.
After discussion, a board member moved to approve the three variances subject to five staff conditions; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with unanimous support. The moderator announced the approval and noted that, if no challenges are filed within 10 days, the item would not need further review. Staff and members later clarified, however, that because this is not strictly a “like-for-like” rebuild, the matter will be forwarded to town council for final action at the council’s next available meeting on September 9.
The project’s conditions require the applicant to meet the listed staff requirements before final permits are issued. The LPA’s approval resolves the local variance step but does not remove the town-council review noted by staff.
