Cereceda answers Fort Myers Beach Observer questions on London Bay, public benefit
Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency Chair Anita Cereceda, who served multiple terms as mayor of the Town of Fort Myers Beach, is running for one of three open seats on the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council. Cereceda answered questions from the Fort Myers Beach Observer as part of a series of questions for all of the candidates:
Name: Anita Cereceda
Age: 65
Place of birth: Tampa, Florida
Education: Attended Florida State University, majoring in philosophy and theatre.
Places lived before moving to Fort Myers Beach: Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee
When did you move to Fort Myers Beach? Permanently in 1988
What is your current job, occupation or business? I own The Islander, Gift & Gallery Boutique in Santini Plaza
What were your previous jobs and occupations? I’ve done everything from bartending to selling cars! The Pier Peddler and Local Color were also my stores before Ian washed them away.
Political experience: First Mayor of Fort Myers Beach after winning election to Town Council and being appointed as mayor by fellow councilmembers, Town of Fort Myers Beach Councilmember from 1996-2000, and again from 2014-2020, serving as mayor and councilmember between 2018-20, currently chair of the Local Planning Agency. Also served on the Lee County Charter Review board, and the Tourist Development Council.
Community involvement: Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation and Fort Myers Beach Women’s Club.
Question:
Can you comment on your opinion of the original London Bay project and what you think of their last proposal and use of the Live Local Act? How do you think the town staff should be responding to this Live Local Act proposal? Do you think it fits the town’s comprehensive plan, and if not, what should the town do?
Answer:
My opinion of London Bay’s project as presented to the LPA is part of the public record. I voted against it because it was inconsistent with the goals and objectives of our comprehensive plan.
As to their Live Local plan, this is administrative in nature and it is not my place to comment.
Generally speaking, I have commented previously about my opinion relative to Live Local projects saying that that it circumvents the public process of reviewing and approving a project. In my opinion, the entire concept of the Live Local Act, is ill conceived.
Question:
What do you think a public benefit should be for a developer, whether town council needs to define public benefit more clearly in the town’s code, and whether you believe any project is entitled to deviations from town code if they can provide a public benefit, or if there should be limits to the amount and size of deviations for a project that proposes public benefit? What do you think the limits on deviations should be?
Answer:
The use of “public benefits” is a tool to allow a developer and the town to be able to negotiate mutual benefits. We can close this “loophole” by carefully defining the parameters. This will allow both parties to obtain something not provided for in the Land Development Code.
Yes, the Town Council absolutely needs to adopt a definition and likely an ordinance to clarify “public benefit.” The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency will take up the issue again at their meeting on October 13 and hopefully forward a draft ordinance to the council for discussion and approval. It’s essential that residents and developers of commercial property understand what the rules are and that they are clear, concise and reflect the community’s needs.
A “public benefit” also needs to be differentiated from an amenity. A restaurant or tiki bar for example are not “public benefits” but rather amenities included in a project. Public benefits should be perpetual in nature and proportionate to the request. A “public benefit” should serve a public purpose.