Today, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to adopt an ordinance amending the Lee County Land Development Code. Changes include allowing higher buildings to be constructed on Captiva Island and providing a pathway for South Seas Island Resort to request rezoning that could lead to increased density and higher buildings at the resort.

The commissioners will meet tomorrow, Sept. 6, at 9:30 a.m. and vote on whether to incorporate those changes into the Lee County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The hearing will take place at the Old Lee County Courthouse (2120 Main St., Fort Myers).

SEPT. 6 MEETING AGENDA
STREAM LIVE ON LEE COUNTY YOUTUBE

“We’re very disappointed that the commission voted in favor of these land development code changes on Captiva,” said SCCF CEO James Evans.

Thousands of you have advocated for our environment and spoken out against this important matter, and we once again invite you to give comment by attending tomorrow’s hearing. Thank you to everyone who attended today’s hearing, and to the over 13,000 individuals who signed our petition opposing the amendment.

During the 2.5-hour public hearing, both Evans and SCCF Coastal Resilience Manager Carrie Schuman, Ph.D., delivered public comments asking the commissioners to reject the proposed changes.

“Just pure and simple, these changes will make our barrier island communities less resilient to future storm events,” Evans said.

Voting yes to these changes is “forcing the burden that comes with that potential growth onto communities that have not been part of a collective process,” Schuman said.

“I think this is a mistake. I am certainly not in favor of this by any means,” said Commissioner Kevin Ruane, who voted against the proposal.