Finishing touches being put on Captiva Community Survey
Members of the Captiva Community Panel are considering the third draft of a survey that will help them to update the Captiva Plan, which addresses issues of land use.
The panel will decide on Oct. 8 whether the most recent draft is ready to be distributed throughout the island. Ken Gooderham, an administrator for the panel, explained that the survey allows the public to share their opinions, offer suggestions, and reach consensus on the proposed updates.
The last update to the Captiva Plan was 10 years ago and a number of issues have come up in that time. The panel is compiling updates to address those issues.
“We wanted to kick it off with a community survey to help get feedback from the community with these issues that have been identified,” said Gooderham.
Issues on the draft survey include landscaping, historic preservation, lighting, The Village, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and beach access parking, which has become a major issue since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rescinded funding for beach renourishment.
Once the survey is approved, it will be available through a web-based survey program. Gooderham said postcards will be sent to Captiva property owners describing how to access the survey and where to ask for hard copies, if needed.
The draft survey asks what level of regulation or enforcement should be used with unwanted plant species, what local sites should be recognized for historic preservation, whether there should be more or less restrictions with lighting, how to maintain the mix between residential and commercial properties in The Village, perspectives about pedestrian and bicycle safety, and whether there should be more public parking on the beach.
If the survey is released in October, the panel would be able to discuss the results in November or December. Eventually, after a process of meetings, drafts, and additional surveys, the updates are forwarded to the Lee County Commission, which will vote whether or not to add it to the Lee County Comprehensive Plan.
For more information, visit captivacommunitypanel.com.