LPA approves Mound House off-site parking
Rezoning for an off-site parking lot for the cultural and environmental learning center at the end of Connecticut Street has been approved at the Town of Fort Myers Beach committee level.
Last week, the Local Planning Agency unanimously agreed on Town staff recommendations for a zoning change at the property at 216 Connecticut St. from Residential Conservation to Community Facilities and settled on requested special exception conditions. The rezoning could allow the Town-owned parcel to be utilized as a parking lot for Mound House, set to open fully this fall as a museum facility.
The issue is expected to go in front of Town Council in September for two public hearings. The policy makers can approve the proposed lot with potential conditions and required findings and conclusions. If approved, Town officials are expected to seek Lee County Tourist Development Council dollars next budget cycle for construction of it.
Conditions involve the lot being developed in compliance with the Town Master Concept Plan, limited to a maximum number of 27 parking spaces, possessing restricted lighting to the lot entrance only, limited to operational hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and having an alternative landscape betterment plan submitted and approved as part of the development order.
“If it is well-landscaped and stops people from going at least the rest of the way down the street, encourages bicycles more than cars the rest of the way down the street, no (interior) lighting and would really limit the hours, that’s the best that we can do to come to a fiscal and feasible compromise for this truly magnificent facility,” said LPA Vice Chair Joanne Shamp.
Special exception conditions involve renting the facility out with Council approval. Rental area options discussed by Council recently 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. Wedding ceremonies and receptions were cited as possible special events and were agreed upon not to exceed 200 people and four hours in length.
If a special event is approved at Mound House, the 216 Connecticut St. lot may be utilized later, but not past 9 p.m. The lot, which is being designed to have turn-around areas as well as native plantings, will be patrolled by Beach and Street Enforcement during operational hours. The access will potentially be gated and locked each night by BASE.
Kayak eco-tours are currently held at Mound House, but officials are not looking to bring concessionaires in for paddle craft rentals. That issue would eliminate that commercial element.
Prior to the approved motion, LPA members reviewed the potential conditions. Under findings and conclusions, the zoning change was stated to comply with the Beach Comprehensive Plan, the Land Development Code and numerous Town ordinances and codes.
Much LPA discussion centered on parking lot lighting, security and overall residential impact. Lighting the lot appeared to be a main issue. Four of the five advisory board members believed the entrance should at least include some form of lighting for the entrance sign, possibly photoelectric-sensored, bollard-style lighting to designate entry.
“I hate to put the parking lot in the neighborhood. I feel like this is the best compromise we can come to at this point,” said Shamp, who would have rather had no lighting at the off-site lot for the daytime Mound House facility hours. “I am very sensitive to the residents who now bear a real change in their neighborhood.”
Records show the parcel was purchased “specifically as specified by Florida Communities Trust as a requirement for additional parking for the Mound House museum.” It was purchased in 2003 and used by guests and volunteers for roughly six years until a change was created by a past Council.
In the past, turning the empty lot into a parking lot has been met with resistance from Connecticut Street residents. Beach Mayor Anita Cereceda called a neighborhood meeting several months ago and pitched a passive park with buffered vegetation. She was met with hostility towards the project and was told it would disrupt the residential neighborhood.
According to Town records: “At completion, the project will be compatible with the existing and planned uses and will not cause damage, hazard, nuisance or other detriment to persons or property.”
Town officials believe the lot to be “essential to the efficient functioning of the facility” due to only nine existing parking spaces (including two ADA-restricted spots) on the Mound House property and 13 off-site parking spaces leased from Beach Baptist at the top of the street. The leased parking at Beach Baptist is expected to continue and accommodate smaller buses. Shuttles and trolley service is being anticipated to lighten parking lot usage.
While no particular costs have been assigned to the proposed lot, past Phase 1 plans with a building on the property was cited to hold a cost of $156,000. Alternate plans without a building should cost significantly less.
A sidewalk down Connecticut Street that has been approved by the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization is expected to be constructed in 2020. While construction is five years away, the sidewalk would provide safety for those walking from lots to the Mound House in the future.
Mound House grand opening date approved
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved a requested date for a public grand opening at Mound House in November.
Back in late July, the Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board set a tentative date for the significant archaeological and historic site, set to open fully this fall as a museum facility. On Monday, CELCAB made a recommendation to Council to approve a VIP private reception as an evening occasion on Friday, Nov. 13, and the public “party” to occur on Saturday, Nov. 14. Times have not been set.
“I think it has been well vetted by CELCAB and by (Mound House Museum Director) Alison (Giesen),” said Beach Mayor Anita Cereceda.