Islands reiterate opposition at second county meeting
Last week, Lee County held its second public meeting scheduled in response to concerns raised over proposed Land Development Code height and density amendments that would apply to Captiva.
Moderated again by Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, the Aug. 2 meeting at BIG ARTS on Sanibel included a presentation by county staff, the chance for panel participants from the first meeting to provide input and the opportunity for attendees to express their thoughts during public comment.
Intending to continue with and build on the first meeting on July 31 on Captiva, Lee County Department of Community Development Zoning Division Manager Anthony Rodriguez started with a summary of what the panel of participating stakeholders had discussed during the first event.
He outlined the following as the principal areas of concern: the increase in building height on Captiva from 53 feet, 42 feet and/or 28 feet to 35 feet; inconsistencies in the build-back provisions and policies, including the LDC and post-disaster Ordinance 07-20; elimination of the three-dwelling-units-per-acre restriction on hotel units for the South Seas Island Resort and concerns about the impacts on the built environment, impacts on the demand for services and feasibility of future septic to sewer conversation efforts, lack of connection to resiliency and creating pressure on Captiva and Sanibel, such as traffic; and elimination of South Seas from Captiva-specific land development regulations, to include allowing an increase in building height and exempting hotel units from the density calculation.
Rodriguez highlighted the following as the stakeholders’ positions: maintain the 28-foot maximum height on Captiva; hotels, including South Seas, should continue to be subject to the three-unit-per-acre limitation on Captiva; and future zoning and development actions at South Seas should be subject to the Captiva-specific provisions of the LDC.
In the presentation, he spoke about building height increases, including the current regulations on Captiva and how the proposed amendments would apply; build-back policy regarding nonconforming buildings and structures; definitions for use, density and intensity; density for residential versus hotel; rezoning process and considerations involved, including required specific findings; and next steps.
Following Rodriguez, some of the panel members offered input, including Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson, Captiva Civic Association Board Member and Land Use Committee Chair Lisa Riordan, and Captiva Community Panel Vice President and Government Affairs Committee Chair David Mintz.
Johnson reiterated that Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands and one cannot get to Captiva without going through Sanibel. He added that at its recent meeting, the Sanibel City Council endorsed a set of principles proposed by the CCP and sent a letter to the county board to make it aware of its position.
Johnson also noted the importance of maintaining and preserving the island community as it is.
Riordan pointed out that the islands — officials, nonprofits, businesses and residents — are all on the same page in opposition. She urged county staff and the county board to listen what is being said.
Mintz referenced the presentation, honing in on what was reported on the build-back provisions.
“Nonconforming structures, even the ones on South Seas, can be built back while accommodating base flood elevations,” he said of the information. “(There is) no need for increased density or height.”
Mintz also addressed three “outstanding issues” posed as questions on a recent county document.
– Should height be limited to 28 feet on Captiva Island?
“There is no compelling reason to go from 28 feet to 35 feet above base flood elevation,” he said.
– Should deviations/variances to allow increased height be prohibited on barrier islands?
“We’re saying that the long-standing rule should not be changed,” Mintz said.
– Should amendments related to South Seas be included in the proposed Ordinance?
“My answer to that is, ‘No, they shouldn’t,'” he said.
Mintz added that while the Timbers Company, one co-owner of South Seas, has shared that it does not intend to ask for increased heights, it could change its mind — or the property could change hands.
During the half-hour public comment, about a dozen attendees shared their thoughts on the proposed amendments and not one spoke in favor of them. Along with residents and business owners from both Captiva and Sanibel, the speakers included Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Chief Executive Office James Evans and Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis and Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum Executive Director Sam Ankerson.
The county will hold its third and final public meeting on Aug. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1B at the Lee County Public Works Building, at 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers.
In addition, a county board workshop is set for Aug. 29 at 1:30 p.m. Rodriguez explained that county staff will share input from the meetings and the board can propose and consider potential changes.
Both the meeting and workshop are open to the public.
In closing, Ruane welcomed the public to provide comments via email to all the commissioners.
To watch the meeting or county presentation, visit the city of Sanibel’s Facebook page.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email