Changes would make county less resilient and more
In partnership with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife and others, we urge you to take the time to make your voice heard on a proposal being addressed by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
On June 6, the county commissioners voted unanimously to hold a public hearing to change the Land Development Code on Captiva in ways that would negatively impact our islands. A strong consortium of voices on Captiva joins the islands’ conservation partners, including the Captiva Community Panel, Captiva Civic Association, 12 condominiums and other concerned parties.
Thank you to the Sanibel City Council which convened a special meeting on June 14 at BIG ARTS to discuss the issue. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge Board Member Mark Heiman attended and reported that there were over 100 people present and 250 attending online. The opinion of citizens and council was 100% unanimously opposed to the actions of the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva. The city council approved a motion conveying this with a strong no to increasing density and building height, citing the three main issues as building height, density and process.
South Seas’ process was completely opaque and it didn’t meet the requirements of the Captiva Community Plan, Captiva Land Development Code, and that which has been memorialized in code for over 50 years. Effectively, South Seas wants a change in code for one property owner, themselves.
What is at stake:
– Less resiliency
– More density, more land use intensity
– Issues with evacuation
– Character of Captiva
– Quality of life, traffic issues, et cetera
– Impact on sewer system
– Impact on wildlife, roadkill
– Light pollution
– Infrastructure pressure, taxpayer impact
Contact the county commissioners with your opposition to this plan:
– District 1: Kevin Ruane
239-533-2224 or dist1@leegov.com
– District 2: Cecil Pendergrass
239-533-2227 or dist2@leegov.com
– District 3: Ray Sandelli
239-533-2223 or dist3@leegov.com
– District 4: Brian Hamman, Chairman
239-533-2226 or dist4@leegov.com
– District 5: Mike Greenwell, Vice Chairman
239-533-2225 or dist5@leegov.com
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge is the nonprofit that financially supports nature conservation, wildlife protection and education efforts for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Florida. For more information, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org.
To reach 'DING' DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY-FRIENDS OF THE REFUGE, please email