LPA to address Mound House off-site lot
A rezoning process for an unused Town-owned parcel on Connecticut Street is being looked into to provide more off-site parking for Mound House visitation.
Last week, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council tasked the Town Local Planning Agency to review a different planning mechanism for the property at 216 Connecticut St.
Community Development Department officials proposed the change in zoning from the current Residential Conservation Zoning to Community Facilities Zoning.
LPA officials are expected to address the issue during its meeting on June 9. Council could discuss a new zoning classification for the parcel that is midway down Connecticut Street in early August and approve it possibly in September.
“I would like to see it move forward so that we can make a decision one way or another on this,” said Councilwoman Rexann Hosafros.
According to Town records, the purpose of the Community Facilities zoning district is “to provide suitable regulations for parks and nature preserves.”
“A parking lot to support the Mound House would certainly qualify as a Community Facilities type view,” said Town Principal Planner Matt Noble.
The potential new zoning could be planned with landscaping and low-level lighting.
The conceptual change was first pitched to the Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board by Mayor Anita Cereceda after she visited Noble during a CELCAB meeting on April 1. Previously, on Feb. 17, Hosafros stated the Town possessed the power to change that lot’s zoning and design a special category to lessen the possibility of future impact.
Limited on-site parking at the Mound House has had Town officials looking at other avenues to provide more vehicle access to or near the cultural and archaeological island gem for visitation once the property fully opens later this year.
The 216 Connecticut St. parcel, a lot that was purchased with intent for Mound House additional parking, has been stated to potentially hold anywhere between 27-40 parked vehicles, depending on landscaping.
In the past, some Mound House neighborhood residents have expressed indignation over the idea of utilizing 216 Connecticut St. as a passive park/overflow parking lot with a proposed landscaping barrier/buffer there. Currently, Town officials have a lease agreement with Beach Baptist Church at the top of the street for overflow parking, but some officials believe it is not enough or suitable.
Rezoning the lot may lighten some concerns. Cereceda recalled an early June 2014 stakeholders meeting with neighborhood residents where meeting participants called potential use of the lot for parking a “commercial intrusion.”
“Aside from the fact that they did not want parking there, they didn’t want any kind of facility there,” he mayor said. “They didn’t want a ticket booth or anything like that.”
Cereceda questioned Noble on proposed zoning conditions to subdue neighbors’ concerns prior to LPA discussion. He answered that the uses are “pretty narrow” in the conventional zoning district.
“We don’t need anymore stumbling blocks,” she said.
Council approval during a public hearing would be needed for any proposed action at that parcel.
Last year, the property was said to be purchased in 2003, tax-exempt, roughly 265-feet deep, roughly 80-feet wide and currently assessed in value at $185,000. It was purchased due to lack of sufficient and available parking at Mound House property. It was said that there were about eight spaces for vehicles at Mound House.
Cereceda was on the first Beach Council that purchased the Mound House. She currently serves as the Council liaison to CELCAB, a committee that oversees the historical property at the end of Connecticut Street.
A soft opening for the Mound House is slated for sometime this summer. Members of the Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board have begun polling a guest list for a planned VIP grand opening evening reception in the fall. Both dates have not yet been confirmed.
No turnaround at street end
Funding for a proposed turnaround at the end of Connecticut Street was stated to be turned down by the Lee County Tourist Development Council. That project is now on hold and may be dropped.
TDC did provide $6,500 in funding for landscaping and signage for the property entrance area.
Museum hours approved
Council reviewed potential new museum hours of operation and fees attached to them in relation to museum admission, membership, program fees and rental rates. Documents were provided to show other like Southwest Florida attraction institutions and their guidelines. Unanimous approval was given.
Proposed hours of operation for the museum involve Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during January through April and the same hours Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays during May through December.
Proposed museum admission fees were suggested and approved to be $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 12 with children age 5 and younger allowed free. Beach residents will be offered 50 percent off admission, while free admission days could be scheduled for educators.
Group rates for museum admission was granted to include $8 per person for 15 people or more, while adult group guided tours of 15 or more will be $10 per person. School group tours will run $2 per student (plus material fee if applicable) with a caveat to allow one free adult admittance for every 10 paid students, while each adult afterwards is charged $8 and teachers admitted free.
Program fees proposed and accepted for 2016 include $45 for kayak eco-tour (museum admission included) and $15 for members. Specialty tours and programs could see an add on value of $5 for adults with admission, $2 for ages 6 to 12 with admission and no charge for members. Tours will be conducted on a more frequent basis instead of just every first and third Saturday.
Lifetime memberships will also be offered.
Rental area options include the William H. Case House patio area after business hours, William H. Case Orientation Room after business hours, observation pier and special events in the lawn area.
Rates for weddings with ceremony only and ceremony and reception included were discussed for residents and nonresidents. Fees for facility rentals and meetings were also reviewed.
Call 765-0865 for more information.