Council/LPA combine thoughts on issues
Issue prioritization was the focus of a joint work session between members of the Fort Myers Beach Town Council and the Local Planning Agency on Wednesday, May 5. LPA Chair Joanne Shamp presided over the meeting.
The Town officials, including Town Manager Terry Stewart, Town Attorney Anne Dalton and Community Development Director Frank Shockey, centered on two provided lists involving outstanding Land Development Code issues and LPA issues before deciding to create a more in-depth list with input from each individual official. After debate on the priority level of the issues, the list was categorized into four divisions: in process; urgent priority; high priority; and low-to-mid priority. Parcelization was removed from the list.
“We look forward to really improve communication and working to get some things done because I know this is a council that likes to get things done,” said Shamp.
During the first part of the session, the two sides discussed an apparent breakdown in communication. Shamp said after finishing one resolution on COP expansion (liquor license issues), the LPA members intended to move forward on other ordinances such as noise ordinance and the open container law but felt blocked in the process.
“It seems some things have gone out of order, perhaps,” said Shamp. “The LPA would like to proceed forward to work on changes on the LDC and reviews on the Comprehensive Plan. The communication has not been good. We need some direction.”
Mayor Larry Kiker explained the confusion to be a matter of too many LDC issues to juggle and a lack of knowledge that certain LPA issues were being addressed.
“We have found ourselves in a unique position in that there are so many LDC changes that are before us,” said Kiker. “It’s a matter of where do we start first. We didn’t even know the LPA was working on some of the things it has been working on.”
Both the LPA and council will provide each other with minutes from their respective meetings, while an LPA member is expected to meet with the town manager on a monthly basis to improve communication. According to Shamp, the intention of the session was to improve exchanges and move forward on important topics instead of rehashing errors that were made.
“We need to be sure of the processes we are using, look at the practices we have in place, decide how they are and are not effective and discuss priorities in terms of the topics that are on the plate,” said Shamp.
After the communication was reviewed, all officials worked on prioritizing outstanding issues. The higher priority issues will be moved to the council’s portion of its regular meetings called agenda management, regarded as the place-holder for issues.
“The LPA will appoint a representative to the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) process at our next meeting,” said Shamp. “That CIP representative will then schedule an appointment with Mr. Stewart. We will add a CIP report to each agenda for the LPA, and expect CIP issues coming forward from Mr. Stewart in either June or July.”
Stewart agreed on the assignment, but cautioned everyone about certain limitations.
“We have limitations about the amount of time there is and what resources that are available,” said Stewart. “No matter what you decide what the priorities are, there are some things you are just not going to have the resources to get to. We will do our best to help you understand what we believe is most vital to accomplish within the scope, its level of importance and the ability to get it done.”
Main Beach Issues
– Urgent priority
Post disaster reconstruction ordinance
Revisit Chapter 10 (land development code)
Oil spill impact
– High priority
Noise/entertainment zoning
Beach technology
– In process
Sign ordinance
COP expansion
Storm water in ROW
Beach Raking
Capital Improvement Plan
– Low priority
Revisit Chapter 34
Short-term rentals
National historic register
Animals on the beach
Residential design standards