Sarah Propst, longtime Fort Myers Beach planning consultant, moving on
If it seemed like Town of Fort Myers Beach planning consultant Sarah Propst was passionate about the island when she presented to the town council and Local Planning Agency, and at workshops to gather community input on the comprehensive plan and future strategic planning, it’s because she had an attachment to the island.
Propst, who worked as a planning consultant for the town through the planning firm Axis Infrastructure, grew up visiting Fort Myers Beach. Her grandparents operated Seaside Resort, across from where Publix is now. She recalls visiting the island when there were still dirt roads and many more cottages. “I grew up coming to the island as a kid,” Propst said. “I grew up going to the beach.”
Her last day as consultant to the town was Friday after eight years working for the town. She is moving to Virginia to take on a planning job there.
Propst will leave a wealth of knowledge about the town behind, including an expertise in the town’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan. She was known for her fastidious attentiveness to its details.
At the last town council meeting before her departure, Propst was showered with compliments by town councilmembers and Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency (LPA) members.
“There are just a few people that are so memorable and have left such a mark. I don’t think ever a group of LPA members have come to pay tribute to an employee and Sarah is worthy of that praise,” said Fort Myers Beach LPA Chair and former town Mayor Anita Cereceda as she stood along with other LPA members in front of the town council.
Cereceda said Propst has “helped us and guided us and especially in these last couple of years, you have been a rock for us.”
LPA member John McLean said Propst had brought a “depth of knowledge” to the board. Jane Plummer said Propst “presents herself so amazingly in everything she does.”
Mayor Dan Allers said Propst “will be missed.”
During her tenure, Propst was tasked with reviewing land development projects and providing town council members and LPA members details of the town’s Land Development Code, and what was allowed under the code in each neighborhood. Sometimes Propst even reminded councilmembers of the proximity of residential neighborhoods to areas where commercial projects were sought or considered.
“A lot of people don’t feel that they have a voice. That’s what good planners do,” Propst said. Propst didn’t see her role so much as being an advocate for or against developments or neighborhoods as much as a duty to inform the council and LPA members on “what the code says.”
Her role also included explaining to developers what was allowed under the code as they sought more expansive allowances.
Those codes would often lead to town planning staff recommending denial of projects before the Town Council seeking deviations from the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan in the town’s planning staff’s view. Most recently, that included the Arches Bayfront hotel and commercial center, which the town council winded up approving anyway despite objections from town planning staff.
“It’s OK for staff to recommend denial and for the council to recommend approval. I’m doing my job,” Propst said.
Propst has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently working on a doctorate in environmental studies through Antioch University.
Propst said she is looking forward to a little bit cooler weather in Virginia though she said she will miss the beach and the people here. “It’s time to move on to another part of my life,” Propst said.
Propst is leaving the town as its planning department works with consultants on a review of the comprehensive plan and begins work on a strategic plan. Propst was involved in recent surveys of the community at the town’s public library and at Bayside Veterans Park. Propst said the Corradino Group and longtime planning consultant Jason Green will be assuming the rest of the work in tandem with the town’s planning staff that includes Judith Frankel and Jason Smalley.
The community surveys showed that “people want restaurants, things to do, retail, and that people have concerns about height and how much they want to give developments,” Propst said. She there was also a desire amongst residents to have medical facilities.
For future planners, Propst said it “will be important to thread the needle” to find a balance. Propst said the town is in good hands with the current planning staff. “They know what they are doing,” Propst said.
“I’ve really enjoyed working for the community,” Propst said.