CCP hears of sewer study, LDC changes and more
At its recent meeting, the Captiva Community Panel heard updates on several ongoing projects, including the sewer engineering study, Land Development Code and ordinance changes, and more.
On Aug. 10, President Jay Brown provided the panel with an update on the Captiva Central Sewer Study, funded with a $100,000 Lee County grant and being conducted by firm Kimley-Horn.
It will develop a design and plan for converting properties outside of the South Seas Island Resort from septic tanks to a new central sewer system, which would then connect to the city of Sanibel’s system.
Brown reported that the firm is now in communications with Sanibel to have city staff review the proposed plan and find agreement, as well as to work on the design interface between the two islands’ systems. He noted that the systems would likely connect at an existing lift station at Turner Beach.
Brown added that a recent meeting took place with Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith.
“She continues to express strong support for the project,” he said of the proposed conversion. “So I think this is all going well, and we’ll get the help and support from Sanibel that we need.”
Impacted property owners will have to support the final plan for project implementation.
Brown also reported that a meeting was held with the city and county’s lobbyist to discuss the possibility of seeking out government funds to pay for or help cover the cost of the project.
“To see if we can get some support from the county to go after funding,” he said.
Brown added that Kimley-Horn is still on course to complete its study by about February, at which point there will be a detailed written report available and a presentation scheduled for the public.
CAPTIVA LDC, ORDINANCES
Past panel President and current Government Affairs Committee Chair David Mintz gave an update about the changes proposed to the county related to the island’s LDC, plus some new ordinances.
He reported that the code changes went before the county’s Land Development Code committee on July 9, the Executive Regulatory Oversight on July 14 and the Local Planning Agency on July 26.
“All of these are citizen advisory boards,” Mintz said.
All voted unanimously to support and recommend the changes to the county commission.
“I was very pleased with the results of the committee hearings,” he said.
The CCP’s proposed LDC changes are tentatively set to go before the Lee County Board of County Commissioners for consideration on Aug. 17 during a first public hearing, followed by a second public hearing in September for possible approval. If approved, they will become part of the island’s LDC.
“It’s going to go before the county commissioners,” Mintz said. “And hopefully by sometime in September, it will be approved and this will be behind us.”
He noted that the CCP will then go through the same process on its proposed ordinances.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Brown reported that panel Vice President Antje Baumgarten resigned as she recently sold her residence and no longer owns property or a business on the island. As one of the seats selected by the Captiva Island Property Owners Association, the CPOA picked Bruce McDonald to replace her.
– Panel Administrator Ken Gooderham reported that he received a call from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office V.O.I.C.E. Unit notifying the panel that its volunteer team will conduct more patrols at the Blind Pass Bridge. The CCP has repeatedly raised concern about safety issues for pedestrians and bicyclists.
“To see what’s going on there and intervene if possible,” he said.
“They can’t arrest somebody, but there is going to be more of a law enforcement presence in terms of vehicles,” Gooderham continued, noting that the unit will be able to document and confirm issues.
“We’ll have to see what comes of that,” he added. “It’s not the county response wanted, but it’s a step.”
The panel has asked the county to limit fishing to one side of the bridge to enhance safety.
– Brown reported that following up on a presentation at last month’s CCP meeting, a team from Verizon came out to the island to look into the reports about poor cell phone service and coverage.
“They measured signal quality at many many different points throughout Captiva, and it was consistently bad regardless of where they were,” he said. “So I think they see firsthand that we do have a significant, signal quality issue.”
He reported that the team discussed making possible improvements to its existing cell tower, as well as installing new “small cells” on Captiva, like in the Village and the yacht club and Gold Coast areas.
“What was most surprisingly to me is they don’t really want community involvement in this process,” Brown said, adding that Verizon officials did offer to provide quarterly updates at the panel’s meetings.
“They’re going to work on this problem,” he concluded. “They have to live within extensive regulations for barrier islands. It’s an evolving problem and they’re dedicated to fixing it.”
– Serving as a public forum, the meeting included a presentation on a variance request for a pool setback that is being sought from the county. Ahmad Kareh, with the firm Haley Ward, spoke on behalf of the property owner — the Fredericksons — about the project proposed for 15200 Captiva Drive.
He explained that his client purchased the residence at the end of last year with the intention of installing a pool at a future date. It was later learned a variance from the county would be needed as a 100-foot setback is the minimum, so the owner is now seeking approval for a 43.3-foot setback.
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