After a confusing September 23rd Town Council meeting when EIBC was not supposed to be on the agenda, then it was on the agenda, before being taken off, the owners of the Estero Island Beach Club on Estero Boulevard will see this Monday if the Town Council likes their new building.
The Estero Island Beach Club on Estero Boulevard was totally destroyed by Hurricane Ian two years ago. It was eventually demolished and removed from the property, which is right next door to DimaondHead Resort.
The Monday Town Council meeting will include the first of two public hearings for EIBC and it is expected to be a well-attended meeting and somewhat controversial.
The Local Planning Agency approved the project by a vote of 5-2 last month. Why will the meeting be controversial? If the 10-story building is approved, it will be the tallest building built on Fort Myers Beach since incorporation back in 1995. And, while EIBC is not asking for more units than it had before, some residents on Fort Myers Beach will object to the height of the building.
LPA Chair, former Mayor Anita Cereceda was one of the no votes. “I don’t feel like we have truly vetted this concept of going 10 stories. These concepts need to be more fully vetted. Everyone is going to come in now and request this height deviation” LPA member Doug Eckmann also voted against. “The public is not ready for these higher buildings just yet.”
Estero Island Beach Club was built in 1981. It’s a time-share building with 75 units with approximately 2,200 to 2,300 owners, some having multiple weeks of ownership in the building. Being a timeshare with thousands of owners means 75 units have to be built back or the property would have to be sold off. Prior to Ian, EIBC was 2 buildings. One building was 2 stories, the other was 3 stories. However, 10 units in one of the buildings were built over the 1978 Coastal Construction Control Line which means EIBC has less buildable property than they had before September 28, 2022. They say they also have to rebuild more spacious units to comply with ADA requirements. Some in the community have argued that the units do not have to be as big as they are now proposing and that may slice off some of the height. You may hear that argument during public comment on Monday.
EIBC is not asking for more density.
During their first visit to the LPA, the EIBC team presented an unflattering looking building that LPA members felt was too close to Estero Boulevard. They were sent back to the drawing board and came forward with a 10-story building backed away from Estero and eliminated two sidewalk cuts on Estero. EIBC requested 5 deviations, the biggest one being going from 40 feet, which is what the Land Development Code allows, to 102 feet in height. The new building is 10 stories, 9 over parking. If EIBC presented two smaller buildings, they would have used up much more of the property and eliminated the view corridor the LPA and Town Council always seems to want as public benefit.
The new EIBC building is expected to cost an estimated $34 million to build. Insurance will not come close to covering the cost so owners are expected to be hit with assessments if the building is approved.
In all likelihood EIBC does have enough Town Council votes to pass. The project has to go through two public hearings before a final vote by the Council.
Dependable, Accurate, Investigative Journalism take time. To support our work, become a BTR Monthly Member HERE.
Has the owners/membership voted on rebuilding with an assessment? We in SCBC have a proposed assessment of $7600 that we are voting on next Saturday. A yes vote we move forward on a rebuild a no vote means we sell the property and split the proceeds.
Build baby build. Let’s make FMB look modern.
The overwhelming majority of the full-time residents (of which I am one) on Fort Myers Beach do not want tall buildings. We all know that King and Woodson will vote for it, and hopefully this will be their last term on the council as neither one cares about what the residents want?.
I would rather see the beach and water. Build high, not wider..
I vote we stay with the current 40′ height. Easy to see other beach communities destroyed for residents with these high rise buildings.
It’s a shame you want to hold back progress and take a resort that has given this town a ton of revenue and keep making it difficult to rebuild. As an owner I am still responsible for paying my dues without being able to use it and we just want this decided and done one way or the other. Being voted the best timeshare on the beach for many years you all are really making this so difficult, this beach will never be what it was so face facts people. I’ve been coming to this beach since the 70’s and don’t like it any better than you!!!!
I walk the beach many morning year round.
These large building shade the beach for one.
Italian nice to see the sun rise over the beach. Build back what you had. That enough. Figure out the square footage required and build to the parameters the the beach has set. If your looking for a few feet that one thing but asking for six more stories that Another go back to the drawing board.
Sorry voice to text no, Italians were hurting this scenario.
I was so confused. Glad the Italians weren’t involved! 🙂
No.
Yepper ! And the rest of the “people” can just stay with the 2 story heights!
It’s a free country let them build that gorgeous building. It better than that empty lot and will add revenue to the town.
I hope the city does not allow this large development. Too big…
The only reasonable answer is NO. Come back with a plan that meets code and is supported by owners and financing!
WOW- to last comment, (M. Martin), saying yes – what are you thinking ? Totally agree with Craig – if owners can’t agree, sounds suspicious.
Why is this SOO difficult ?
No one wants these massive structures
The rules are the rules.
NO !!!
When I grew up rules were rules….please don’t prostitute your self.
Again I state that if Margaritaville had to jump through hoops and they were only allowed a 4 story maximum why should they deviate from the code and allow a 10 story building now!! It’s a hard NO for me.
I just want to add my two cents, Want to see what happens if you allow these larger buildings,take a short road trip to Clearwater Beach.
It has become a concrete canyon. No visibility. Not to mention traffic!!!
Why approve anything if the financing is questionable? Unless there are no variances, then it’s up to owners to find financing. But if you approve 10 stories they can sell to big developers. That might be the plan.
Seems a simple majority of council should be changed to a super majority when a CPD deviation is considered substancial- three voices should not determine such important outcomes. Also a bit frustrated that “it appears” approval is the expected outcome- what about proper discussion and process?
I see that a material percentage of the current owners are against the design (most likely because they’re being priced out). How do you move forward on a project that the clients don’t even support?
It’s like they didn’t even try to make it fit with in the guideline ‘s .
It’s a huge No
Just approve the building as I have said before….. At least it will create a tall seawall and prevent further flooding.
It will not prevent flooding in any way. It is open under the building. Also the view corridor will just create a river to the side streets. So, your argument is flawed. This is a money grab by the timeshare to get a more profitable larger units.
Bless your heart Maylin. Did you notice the entire lower level is wide open? I bet you are still driving around alone in your car with a paper mask on too.
Is that a joke? 😵💫😵💫😵💫😳😳😳