CITY OF SANIBEL At its Aug. 13 meeting, the Sanibel Planning Commission approved applications to allow for the operation of a new grocery store — A Bit of Bailey's — at the Rabbit Road Center on Sanibel.

At its recent meeting, the Sanibel Planning Commission approved two applications to allow for the operation of a new grocery store — owned by Bailey’s — at the Rabbit Road Center on Sanibel.

On Aug. 13, the commissioners considered the applications to obtain a conditional use permit and development permit for change of use to operate the store at the center, at 975 Rabbit Road, which is located at the intersection of Rabbit and Sanibel-Captiva Road in the General Commercial District.

The applications were submitted by Richard Johnson, whose family owns Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel and The Island Store on Captiva, for the property owner, Rosalita’s Cantina Rabbit Road.

According to the applications, A Bit of Bailey’s will include groceries, a butcher, seafood, bakery, deli, coffee bar, and beer and wine, plus storage and offices. The store will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Prior to the commission’s discussion and vote, city staff presented its report on the applications.

CITY OF SANIBEL At its Aug. 13 meeting, the Sanibel Planning Commission approved applications to allow for the operation of a new grocery store — A Bit of Bailey's — at the Rabbit Road Center on Sanibel.

Bailey’s proposed a change of use from the permitted health club or spa to a conditional use for a grocery store at Units 3-5, which was formerly the Sanibel Skin Spa, totaling about 5,700 square feet.

According to the report, the applicant proposed two site alterations in association with the request. First, to add a new trash and recycling facility to serve Units 1-5 at the center; and second, to designate a loading zone with convenience to the back entrance of the center.

Staff reported that it made the following findings in support of its recommendations:

– Staff notes the uncertainty over peak parking demand. Staff finds that, after accounting for employees, 58 customer spaces are uncommitted to other uses at the center. Conditions such as pick-up/delivery grocery services, interconnectivity and available bike parking may help to reduce high vehicle counts during peak hours.

– Staff finds the proposed use — with recommended conditions — complies with all general requirements for a conditional use.

– Staff finds the proposed use complies with all specific requirements for “eating places, restaurants, grocery stores, etc., not listed as a permitted use.”

– Staff recommends additional conditions related to interconnectivity and bike parking facilities due to the location directly adjacent to the Shared Use Path. Other conditions relate to restoration of the site to comply with the Land Development Code.

Staff recommended approval of the applications subject to the following conditions:

– Units 3-5 are approved for grocery, including butcher, seafood, bakery, deli, coffee service, beer and wine, storage, and office uses. Delivery and/or pick-up grocery services shall be provided, as necessary, to reduce peak parking demand.

– An as-built survey may be required to verify compliance with the approved plans and conditions.

– Maintain 183 off-street parking spaces, including ADA-required handicap spaces and no less than 30 bicycles distributed evenly on site. Provide an unobstructed loading zone and a second trash and recycling facility, consistent with the approved site plan.

– Provide an improved interconnectivity path from that provides access from Units 3-5 to the Shared Use Path to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.

– Restore vegetation and landscape buffers in compliance with the approved landscape plan as adopted by a Sanibel Planning Commission resolution.

– Restore vegetation, remove unpermitted shell/stone, remove hurricane debris and other damaged structures in the back yard.

– Additional trash and recycling facilities shall comply with standards and shall be visually buffered by vegetation.

– The 12-by-30-foot loading zone shall be clearly identified as such on site, consistent with the proposed site plan. Lighting in connection with the loading zone shall not be permitted.

– Exotic species of plants which out compete or otherwise displace native plants, including Brazilian pepper, Cajeput or Punk tree, Earleaf Acacia, Lead tree, Java Plum, Air Potato, Exotic Inkberry, Scaevola sericea and mother-in-law’s tongue/bowstring hemp, shall be removed from within the boundaries of the subject parcel. The parcel shall be kept permanently free of such exotics.

– The proposed grease trap is not in compliance with the city’s Grease Management Ordinance. If in the future, the deficiency results in obstructions, damage or any other impairment to the city’s wastewater facilities then a 750-minimum gallon grease interceptor will need to be installed in compliance with city and state requirements.

– Applicant will provide access to the grease interceptor for inspections, observations and sampling by city staff as outlined in the city’s Grease Management Ordinance.

– Kitchen is not permitted to include fryers or a hood. Modifications of the kitchen equipment will require an additional review which may result in the requirement of installing a compliant grease interceptor.

– The permit shall not relieve the applicant from the requirement of obtaining permits from and complying with lawful requirements imposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and any applicable, local, state and federal law.

– Many of the conditions contained herein are for information purposes to assist the applicant and are requirements of the Land Development Code. The applicant is required to comply with all regulations of the city. Some conditions stated herein reflect the current code requirements applicable at the time of approval of the permit. After the issuance of the completion certificate for the development or upon expiration of the development permit, any subsequent development or change of use for the parcel must comply with the regulations in effect at that time.

Asked by the commission, the applicant voiced acceptance of the staff conditions.

The commission voted 5-0 to approve a resolution approving the two applications with the 14 conditions recommended by staff. Commissioner Kate Sergeant recused herself as part-owner of an existing business within the center, while Commissioner Paul Nichols had an excused absence.