Despite significantly more public opposition than last month, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted 3-1 to move the Seagate redevelopment of the 10-acre Red Coconut property to a final public hearing on December 16th.
On Monday about 25 people spoke out against the project with less than five speaking in favor, including a London Bay representative. At the first public hearing the public feedback was closer to 50-50, with less public turnout. The biggest concern from the community is the height of the two tallest buildings in the Seagate proposal.
The Seagate plan includes two condo towers that could be as high as 17 stories. They are asking for buildings that are over 200 feet higher (235 feet total) than what’s allowed by right. They are set back off Estero Boulevard. The plan includes 137 condo units, 4 single family homes, a restaurant open to the public, a 240 foot view corridor on the beach side of the property, a private pedestrian walkover and a private beach club with availability of local paid memberships.
Local resident Kevin Sullivan said that two 17-story buildings exceed the intent of the comp plan. “There’s a lack of any real public benefit to grant this height.”
If the buildings are eventually constructed they would be the tallest buildings built on Fort Myers Beach since before the town incorporated back in 1995. Tall buildings being built with the approval of Lee County was the main reason the town moved to incorporate back then.
Shell Mound resident Cathy Turner told the Town Council, “You have the opportunity here to destroy our residential neighborhood.”
Greg Scasny, who ran for Town Council this year on a platform of fighting big development, said “It’s just too tall and not consistent with our Comprehensive Plan. If you don’t like our Comprehensive Plan, change it.”
Seagate CEO Matt Price responded to Scasny by saying he did not win the election. “He came out 100 percent against the project and lost the election. I took the election as support.” Scasny lost by about 120 votes. Mayor Dan Allers, Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt and Councilman Scott Safford received more votes than Scasny in the recent election.
At times during the Monday meeting Mayor Allers had to ask the crowd to be respectful to the Seagate team when they were at the podium speaking. There was a bit of heckling coming from the back of the room which caused Price to call the meeting a “shit show” at the microphone.
Despite the overwhelming public comment against, it appears the project is still on track for approval at the final December 16th public hearing. Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt was in favor of the redevelopment plan after the first hearing and said to Price, “I’m disappointed you called this a shit show. This is democracy, part of the process, and I respect the people that took the time to be here today and voice their concerns. I may not share their opinion post-Ian, I think the circumstances have changed dramatically. I hope you’ll regret saying that.”
Councilman John King was in the hospital after having to call 911 over the weekend after believing he might be having a heart attack. He was not but he did have to stay overnight for additional tests. King called in for the marathon meeting yesterday but was not available for the vote. The council by a vote of 3-1 did move the item to a final public hearing on December 16th where, if approved, the project can begin.
Price said if Seagate does receive approval the final design phase will take up to a year. He said the Beach Club on the Gulf side would be built first and act as a sales center for the condo units. He said with 2 towers being built it enables Seagate to move forward without as many pre-sales of the condo units if there was only one tower.
Watch our interview from Saturday, November 30th with Seagate CEO Matt Price HERE.
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