Council and town staff review current issues after hearing continuance
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council moved to issue a continuance on a public hearing over a zoning approval process regarding the Snug Harbor development during its public meeting Monday morning.
The continuance was made after neither town council nor town staff members received further information on the applicant’s application regarding ownership of the property. It is believed that the applicant wants to erect a 236 parking-space building.
“The onus is on the applicant to show some proof that they clearly own that property,” said Town Manager Scott Janke.
According to Town Attorney Anne Daulton, the town didn’t receive any such document to prove clear title.
“In lieu of the fact that the applicant’s attorney did not present the documentation that he agreed to present to the town to satisfy that inquiry, my suggestion is that this matter be continued and the applicant be instructed to provide that visual assurance to the town,” she said.
Councilman Tom Babcock echoed the sentiment.
“I would base my support for a continuance simply on the fact that there is new evidence today and there is probably some evidence that is missing,” he said. “I’m encouraged that the parties will work this out, but I also want to make sure that all the information is made available to our staff well in advance of this continued hearing.”
Mayor Larry Kiker further strengthened the stance of the town council.
“Even though this feels like we are pushing this project back further, the applicant pushed it back for this very same reason the first time,” he said. “We are still not getting the information that we requested.”
The majority of the discussion centered on a regulation regarding a lot split.
“You have a lot split regulation which basically prohibits anyone from making a lot split arbitrarily without going through a formula process and getting it approved,” said Richard McDole, building consultant.
In the end, the continuance was scheduled to be moved to June 1 at 9 a.m.
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Under the town manager’s items, the status on paving, beach re-nourishment and water utility were reviewed.
According to Janke, issues were brought up about the recently completed re-surfacing of Estero Boulevard. He and Kiker will meet with county officials on the matter.
“Issues have been brought up about the fact that (the repaving) didn’t go shoulder to shoulder which has done some disruption to the bicycle travel lane,” he said. “Certainly a public promise -or at least what I thought was a public promise- was made to pave one-third of the county’s portion. Instead of two miles, we got .8 miles.”
The town manager then discussed the next step for beach re-nourishment after Lee County approved the two parties’ Interlocal Agreement.
“I hope to get with Steve (Boutelle from the Division of County Lands) this week and begin the campaign to aggressively pursue easements with participation from members of council,” said Janke. “In my talk with Steve last week, he thought they we’d have until the end of July to make an aggressive shot at getting these easements.”
Kiker said that members of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and other groups have offered assistance in this business.
Regarding water utility, Janke updated the town council on its strategy to protect the town from further water line breakages.
“I’ve had the staff put together an immediate Phase 1 improvement which is basically valve replacement,” he said. “We’re looking at probably $30,000 to $50,000. That will then let us, at least, cut the island to three or four slices without having to turn off the entire island should we have another significant break.
“Then we’ll be on Phase II which will include additional valves that do not solve the problem of potential breaks but will help us quarter off the island and not turn off the entire system.”
Funds may be coming from stimulus dollars, according to Kiker.
“We may receive money for repairs to get back out of survival mode in the event of another break,” he said. “That was inclusive with all news coverage with television, all the articles that were written in the newspaper and all the remarks that came along with it. I think we built a passion with it.”