Schoonover answers questions from Fort Myers Beach Observer on London Bay, public benefit
Town of Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency member Ed Schoonover is seeking one of three open seats on the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council. Schoonover answered the following questions from the Fort Myers Beach Observer as part of a series of questions we are asking the candidates in the run-up to the Nov. 3 election.
Ed Schoonover
Age:66
Birthplace/raised: Born at Groton Naval Base, Groton, Connecticut. Raised in northern Minnesota and Palm Harbor, Florida
When did you move to Fort Myers Beach? 2018
Education: High school graduate
Current job and occupation: Property Manager, JMKS Properties
Previous jobs and occupations: Director of operations for public recreational facilities (baseball/softball fields, civic centers, gymnasiums, aquatic centers and exercise pools, cardio and weight training rooms, fitness centers/studios, classrooms, and playground areas).
Community involvement: Currently on Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency, previously on Anchorage Advisory Committee, Bay Oaks Recreation Campus Advisory Board, Charter Review Commission
Question:
Can you comment on your opinion of the original London Bay project that went in front of the LPA, 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 the new proposal fits the town’s comprehensive plan, and if not, what should the town do?
Answer:
Due to the fact that London Bay may be coming back to the LPA or council I will not comment on their project or proposal.
The owner also owns other properties on the island that may soon come before our boards.
Live Local is an option that takes away more local control from towns and cities. In the interest of sunshine laws and an appearance of how I would view any proposal would be a poor ethical decision for me to make.
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:
I believe that a public benefit is a tangible asset that can be used by residents. Our Fort Myers Beach vibe is defined by our ability to enjoy walking the beach, stopping at a beachside business, using a bathroom and enjoying a sunset view from our publicly accessible bars and restaurants. What is a public benefit today, may not be considered a benefit in the future. As the candidate that is hyper-focused on south end issues, I believe a publicly accessible restaurant is a huge benefit for south end residents. I would like to see a developer offer us real benefits like: donation of land for public pocket parks, providing public spaces and attracting things like hair salons, medical facilities or dentist space, etc. Public benefit should provide environmental protections and serve this idea of keeping the beach vibe and character. Creativity is needed on the developers part in what they can offer. I would like to see a natural gas line serving the entire island. I would like to see pocket parks in our neighborhoods. I would like a partnership to aid us in maintaining our waterways. The town has the opportunity to ask for the world when the developers are asking for the same. We need to be realistic about asks so that we don’t chase the developers into Live Local. I don’t believe that we can define specific public benefit options as I believe the benefits will evolve over time.