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Fort Myers council approves 279‑unit Palm Riverview PUD after neighborhood debate
Summary
The City Council voted to approve a planned unit development at 1105 Seaboard (Seaborn) Street that will allow up to 279 multifamily units, after staff described design changes and neighbors raised concerns about open space, traffic and parking.
The Fort Myers City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a planned unit development (PUD) for a roughly 8.05‑acre property at 1105 Seaboard (also referenced as Seaborn Street), allowing up to 279 multifamily dwelling units. Staff said the rezoning unifies split zoning on the site and includes conditions, enhanced buffering and revised access points intended to reduce impacts on adjacent single‑family neighborhoods.
"Approximately 8 acre piece of property... this is the city council public hearing... it will enable the developments of 279 multifamily dwelling units," staff said during the presentation. Assistant Director of Community Development Tony Palermo told council the developer substantially revised the plan after planning‑board review to increase buffers and change parking from a garage to surface parking.
Neighbors at the podium urged the council to insist on more green space, stricter compatibility measures and traffic controls. Patricia Bourns, who said she lives on Julia Street adjacent to the project, told the council: "1105 Seaboard is incompatible in 2 glaring ways." Kim Fernandez, a Superior Street resident, requested traffic controls at the intersection of Superior and Palm Beach Boulevard, saying she had asked staff earlier "to have a stoplight put on the corner of Superior and Palm Beach."
The applicant’s team — led by attorney Megan Strayhorn and planner Veronica Martin — presented renderings, proposed a 25‑foot enhanced buffer along Royalston Street and said the site will be elevated and engineered for drainage. Veronica Martin noted the design changes taken in response to public comments and staff review, including relocations of vehicular access away from neighborhood streets.
Council debate focused on compatibility and traffic mitigation. One councilmember pressed staff and the applicant for assurances about stormwater, elevation and prospective FDOT coordination for any traffic signal on state roads. The motion to approve passed on a roll‑call vote (see actions). The PUD will be in effect for five years and construction must commence within that period under the conditions set by staff.
Outlook: The approval clears the way for site‑plan review, engineering permits and subsequent building approvals; council members and staff flagged further detailed design and traffic study review before construction permits are granted.
