The public hearing on proposed land-use changes affecting Captiva Island is still scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5 — and it is vitally important for people to attend.

PUBLIC HEARING ON CAPTIVA CHANGES: 9:30 a.m., Sept. 5, Old Lee County Courthouse (2120 Main St., Fort Myers)

Due to Hurricane Idalia, Lee County canceled the Aug. 29 workshop, where county staff were to present the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) with the community’s concerns and objections as expressed at three public meetings in July and August.

Because of this cancellation, the language to be discussed on Sept. 5 has not been changed to reflect the community’s concerns.

For the thousands of people who have been involved in this important matter, it is difficult to comprehend how the county commissioners could ignore the overwhelming outpouring of concerns and objections from the affected communities and then proceed as if nothing has happened. But, another strong show of opposition to these changes will help drive that concern home.

Please attend the Sept. 5 meeting and continue to make your voices heard! Click here for the agenda item report regarding this issue.

IF the Sept. 5 vote is a yes to accept the proposed changes, the BoCC will vote on whether to incorporate those changes into the Lee County Plan on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 9:30 a.m. at the same location.

More than 13,370 Have Signed Our Petition! Have You?

As of Aug. 31, over 13,000 people have signed our petition to protect Captiva and Sanibel.

• 13,371 Total
• 7,645 Florida residents
• 6,131 Lee County residents

Because of popular demand, we are still collecting names. We have already presented almost 10,000 signatures to each commissioner and will present the additional signatures, as well. 

Please share the petition with friends, neighbors, and visitors who oppose the proposed changes. Anyone can sign!

Litigation Possible if Commissioners Approve Amendment

On behalf of the Captiva Civic Association, law firm Holland & Knight has submitted a legal memo to the county explaining why the proposed amendments are unlawful and should be rejected. If the amendments are approved on Sept. 5 as currently drafted, litigation to protect Captiva will most likely commence.

We do not know what the BoCC will do on Sept. 5, however, there is no question that county commissioners have heard from Captiva, Sanibel, and other Lee County communities impacted by these proposals, and have been told how the ill-considered amendments have nothing to do with resiliency. These changes will only make Captiva less safe and less resilient.

What Can You Do?

• Share the petition link: Be sure to share the link (https://p2a.co/hsktrgL) with friends and neighbors on Captiva, Sanibel, and surrounding communities who also oppose the proposed changes.  

• Attend or watch the hearing: Come to the commission hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 5, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Old Lee County Courthouse (Commission Chambers). If you plan to speak, fill out and hand in a speaker’s card so the chair will call on you during the public input period. If you can’t attend in person, you can view it at the links below.

• Watch the hearing live at:
  – https://www.leegov.com/resources/leetv
  – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSnQCEJdfUrobF9dxUltyyA
  – https://www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc/live

• Support our legal fund. In the event more funds are collected than are necessary, a mechanism with be established to proportionally refund any excess funds. Any contributions made will not be tax deductible, and all monies raised will be kept in a separate account only for the legal services. If you have questions regarding a contribution, please contact CCA Executive Director Emily Ankerson at 239-472-2111 or SCCF Development Director Cheryl Giattini at 239-822-6121 or cgiattini@sccf.org.

Learn more about this issue.