The proposed plan includes a beach bar on the ground level, a restaurant on the second floor, and a pub and entertainment venue on the third floor, with increased bathroom, kitchen, and back-of-house areas to meet modern requirements. The applicant sought a 34-foot setback from Estero Boulevard, exceeding the usual five-foot build two line, and a building height of 42 feet and 3 inches above the design flood elevation, surpassing the 40 feet height restriction. Additionally, the project faced a parking space deficiency, proposing 18 parking spaces against the required 114 spaces.

During the meeting, there was also a debate on the relocation of a beach access point on Estero Boulevard. The proposed vacationing and relocation of beach access point number 42 entailed not only the movement of the easement but also raised concerns about public access, signage, and the hours of operation. Discussions included the vagueness of the suggested “dusk to dawn” hours for the access point and the need for more definitive timing, such as “sunrise to sunset.”

The meeting saw discussions about the rezoning request for 1836 and 1840 Estero Boulevard, which aimed to redevelop a timeshare condominium of 75 units. The applicant requested deviations to accommodate the project’s feasibility, including adjustments to height, parking lot screening, and building entrance requirements. The proposed redevelopment would include an L-shaped building with 83 parking spaces and envisioned increased viewsheds and light through the underbuilding parking, emphasizing sustainability and aesthetics.

Members also reviewed a proposal for the redevelopment of a property on I Street into a beach bar with a residential unit, seeking a deviation to increase the floor area ratio. Concerns were raised about parking for the residential unit and the availability of public parking on nearby streets. The applicant clarified the presence of two parking spaces for the unit, addressing the parking situation.

In addition, the agency reviewed a special exception request for the reconstruction of storm-damaged infrastructure at Leonardo Arms Beach Club Association. The town’s staff recommended approval for the partially damaged parking lot but denied the new seawall or garden fence. The applicant presented a revised proposal, which included the removal of parking lot lights and a grant acceptance for turtle conservation.

The meeting also included discussions on a motion regarding public access and signage, requesting a definitive timeframe for public access hours. Moreover, the introduction of a text amendment for the Commercial Boulevard zoning district was debated, with concerns about potential commercial intrusion into residential areas and the impact on neighborhood character. The agency discussed the possible flexibility in land use within the district, with some members advocating for more development options while others worried about the consequences for surrounding neighborhoods.

Furthermore, the agency touched on the concept of neighborhood commercial use and its potential impact on the Commercial Boulevard zoning district. The need for balance between development flexibility and neighborhood character preservation was a key point of debate.

The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency also discussed strategies to manage lengthy agendas and meeting schedules, considering the efficiency of the review process while maintaining legal fairness. The potential implementation of impact fees for developments and the management of short-term rentals were also topics of consideration, with emphasis on the responsibility of property owners and managers to address rental-related issues.