The central focus of the meeting was the proposal to rezone the Women’s Club property on Sterling Avenue from Institutional to Commercially Planned Development (CPD). This change aims to facilitate the redevelopment of the site after its previous structure was damaged by Hurricane Ian. The council discussed the historical significance of the Women’s Club, operational for over 60 years at the location, and the necessity of the CPD to accommodate the club’s activities.

Jason Smallley, a senior planner, detailed the proposed redevelopment, emphasizing that the application does not seek deviations from the town’s land development code. The architectural renderings will guide the construction of the new building. The applicant’s representative, Mr. Inc., explained that the CPD allows for specific property development regulations, including spaces for other nonprofit organizations.

Council members raised concerns about potential future ownership changes affecting the Women’s Club’s operations. An email from Patrick Vaness highlighted the need for language limiting the property to nonprofit entities to protect community interests. The council considered adding “limited to nonprofit organization only” to the ordinance, with plans to revisit this during the second reading scheduled for February 17, 2026.

Community members expressed support for the Women’s Club’s redevelopment, citing its positive impact on the neighborhood. However, some voiced concerns about the property evolving into a private club focused on drinking. The council acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the importance of community input and the need to clearly define consumption on premises (COP) boundaries to prevent issues during large events.

The council also addressed the significance of maintaining the Women’s Club as a nonprofit entity. Discussions included the possibility of establishing a public restriction or private restrictive covenant to ensure the property remains a nonprofit organization, even if ownership changes. The binding nature of the CPD reassured council members that any future changes in use would require further approval.

A motion to advance the ordinance to a second reading was approved unanimously. The council noted the community’s positive feedback regarding the Women’s Club’s return and expressed a commitment to addressing concerns before the final decision.

In other business, the council discussed a legislative item concerning council member compensation. An ordinance was proposed to clarify that council members and the mayor could receive a salary or voluntarily waive it, alongside reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred during official duties. The ordinance was approved unanimously.

The council also tackled voting conflicts, particularly concerning Councilman King’s ability to vote on a candidate named Mr. Brady. The town attorney established that King had a voting conflict related to Brady due to a pending legal appeal with financial implications. This conflict did not extend to other candidates, allowing King to vote for them.

Additionally, the town manager reported on recent assessments at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, conducted to evaluate structural needs and potential renovation costs. The council aims to receive a report to inform future decisions regarding the school’s ownership and possible refurbishments.

The meeting also touched on the upcoming celebration for the town’s 30th anniversary, planned in collaboration with town historians and local figures. The strategic plan meeting, rescheduled from February to March, will involve drafting the council’s vision, mission statement, goals, and objectives with advisers from the University of South Florida.