We found out what happens when there’s an even number of board members and not a single one is willing to budge. On Thursday, with one LPA member absent, there was a tie on 2 votes regarding a proposed Food Truck Merchant Plaza on Estero Boulevard.
Entertainment Food Truck entertainment parks are becoming popular in Southwest Florida, including Bay Street Yard in Fort Myers, Rooftop at Riverside in Bonita Beach and on Backyard Social on Treeline.
Debbie and Jamie Hotka and Dan Myers are proposing a similar concept on commercial property at 2500 and 2510 Estero Boulevard across from the old Town Hall property. The lots have been empty since Hurricane Charlie. The property was home to several restaurants in the past such as The Holmes House, Smitty’s on the Beach and The Mucky Duck.
It would be called Access 26 to coincide with beach access 26. Myers told the LPA that their goal is to create a nice place for families on the island. “Our goal is not to bring Times Square to this property.”
The plan pitched to the LPA Thursday is for at least five pads for food trucks, a permanent support structure with restrooms, outdoor seating, entertainment, a recreation area, and paid parking. The proposed hours of operation are 7am to 10 pm seven days a week. Outdoor entertainment is proposed to run until 9:00 pm. 
Residents that live in homes, or are rebuilding, were not in support of the project. Several Cottage Avenue property owners as well as the President of the Pelican Watch condo board spoke out against the Food Truck venue during the public comment portion of the LPA meeting Thursday.
Concerns included overflow parking onto their streets, a 24-hour parking lot, the constant smell of food and the possibility of rodents. They said they are not opposed to development, not even in that spot. But, they believe this type of business is not compliant with a residential neighborhood.
After LPA members discussed whether or not parking should be paid or 24 hours, how late music should be played, buffers, and other issues that are normally discussed when a new project is proposed, a vote was taken.
Actually three votes were taken.
Now remember, one member was absent (Doug Eckmann). The first vote was to deny the project which ended up in a 3-3 tie. The next vote was to approve the project with 23 conditions recommended by staff. That vote also tied with Jim Dunlap, Jane Plummer and Don Sudduth voting in favor and Anita Cereceda, John Mclean and James Boan voting against. Another tie. A second failed vote.
Even though many applicants have moved forward to the Town Council when the LPA recommends denial, a tied vote is neither a recommendation for approval or denial. The charge of the LPA is to make recommendations to the Town Council one way or the other.
So, what to do?
LPA member Jim Dunlap made a motion to continue the item to February 11th hoping that the applicants and the residents in the neighborhood get together to try to work out their differences. That’s unlikely. There is way too much bad blood between the two sides at this time. What’s more likely to happen is that on February 11th, the LPA has 7 members in attendance, there will be a 4-3 vote one way or the other, and the Hotka’s and Myers can move on to the Town Council for their vote.
If the project does get approved, the park could be open by next season. The applicants also acknowledge that if there is too much opposition they do not plan to push too hard. Option B would be to turn the lots into an 80-spot commercial parking lot.
The owners of the property would like to know what the community thinks of their proposal. Send your thoughts to LPA@access26.com. Myers says comments sent to this e-mail address will also go directly to LPA members.
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Love the idea but agree that music until 10:00 pm is not conducive to a residential area. I also agree the traffic is horrendous. We’re lucky in that we live on the North end and can walk everywhere. If we have to go off island, it’s first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. I can’t imagine having to drive anywhere mid day to sunset, in season. Perhaps a bridge toll for non residents (like Sanibel) would get more people to utilize the tram. Or offer some kind of incentive to use the tram such as restaurant discounts, etc. Things will only get worse as these large residential projects continue to be approved. Traffic and parking absolutely have to be addressed by these developers.
This project was originally proposed as a temporary, 5-year project to give the property owners some cash while waiting for the market to turn and support an enclosed restaurant (which the neighborhood would support). Without any legitimate notice from the Town to the surrounding residences, the project was changed to a permanent food truck park. Thank you Beach Talk Radio for the heads-up! Who wants a food truck park 10’ from their property? Alcohol and live music are great for Times Square, not for a residential area.
My wife and I spent many weeks in December at the Red Coconut and after Ian’s wake, we just returned from a resumption of our annual sojourn to lovely SE Florida. While staying at our 2nd favorite spot in Venice, we took two trips to see our favorite spot, FMB. It saddened us tremendously to see after over two years the destruction. On our 1st trip, we approached from the south and, at noon, the traffic was minimal. We stopped at the RC to pay our respects at the many hours we spent there with our dogs. Other than Margaritaville, we notice a lack of any activity. So we assumed it would be a breeze getting off the island at Matanzas pass bridge. WRONG! Took us almost an hour.
Our 2nd trip was on to the island over Matanzas Pass was worse. Over an hour and a half. So it seems to me whether or not you provide more parking, there will be autos!!!.
But what saddens me even more, is to see how the politics of FMB has become neighbor vs neighbor, “bad blood between the two sides”, us vs them. Our lawyers vs their lawyers!
It was and will someday be a beautiful place! But the destruction from Ian is nothing compared to the acrimony I see on these pages. Godspeed FMB!!
100% accurate. It’s terrible. And now the controversy begins over a food truck park. No buildings no food trucks, no food truck park?
Threats to people’s lives
Accusations
NO MORE PARKING!!!!! The island doesn’t need any more cars! I love the idea of a food truck park, but there’s already enough people in the island to support the concept. NO MORE CARS!