It’s impossible to predict which new development might be approved or rejected by the Fort Myers Beach Town Council. The last two LPA recommendations went by the wayside as council chose to go in the opposite direction. Next up for the LPA to analyze will be the new Neptune Resort.
It’s been over a year since Continental Hospitality Group along with their partner The Neighborhood Company unveiled plans for their new resort at 2316/2320 Estero Boulevard. The old Neptune has not been cleaned up or demolished since Hurricane Ian over two years ago. There is a fence around the property now, which is not shown in this picture.
Since their public unveiling back in 2023 the owners of The Neptune have added 8 more rooms to their proposal, originally asking for 140 and now asking for 148. The original resort included 71 rooms. The old resort did not have a restaurant. The new resort, if approved, would have a restaurant and tiki bar on the beach open to the public.
Here are more details from the proposal that the LPA will consider on Tuesday, November 12.
– They are proposing 4 stories over 2 levels of parking (the original motel was 2 – 3 stories).
– They are asking for 148 rooms compared to 71 rooms.
– 164 parking spaces
– Gulf/Beach-side restaurant and tiki-bar open to the public.
– 16 parking spaces dedicated to the town for public use (These are above and beyond the 164 provided for the resort).
– The proposed beach access along the east side was removed per the request of the neighbors during a community meeting. They are also committed to making improvements to the Delmar Ave. access and view corridor.
– If the Town Council feels the beach access along the east side is wanted, they will go back to providing that as well.
– Min. 25’ wide view corridor along the east side is proposed when none exists today.
– The view corridor along Delmar right-of-way and beach access has been widened to approximately 70’ as a result of the new building now being setback 20’ feet from the western property line.
The LPA makes recommendations to the Town Council after hearing feedback from town staff on how a proposal fits in with the town code. The Town Council is not required to accept the LPA’s recommendation and many times over the years has rejected their recommendations.
First place I stayed at, loved it. They were small efficiencies. Then couldn’t book as they were bought and were to be turned into Time Share. Is this going to be a Motel/Hotel? Or a Time Share with rooms available when Time Share peeps aren’t using them?
Does 148 rooms on this parcel comply with the Town’s density rules? Agree with Kim that traffic issues are a serious concern. As a hotel facility, there are likely to be more short-term visitors = more traffic.
Shocking how many non residents/non homeowners think they should have an opinion on the future of the island
The island is a ghost town. Progress needs to happen.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Yes my home is on the beach and yes I’m pretty vocal.
Some change is good b
ut not what is going on now.
No need to double the number of units. Keep to # units prior and could keep building to 2 over parking.
Agree 100%. Any non full time resident should shut their pie hole.
1st, why is a lame duck town council deciding anything?
2nd, with this council and what they gave Seagate, why stop at double and only 4 floors….. sounds like if you play the game, you get what u want from them🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤮🤮
“Lame duck.” 🤦♀️
Just because an elected official’s term is drawing to a close doesn’t mean s/he no longer can exercise the powers of the office.
They are NOT elected officials but elected representatives of the town residents. Terminology is important for them to understand their positions.
This is before the LPA, not the Town Council. By the time it gets before the Town Council, the election will be over.
I agree with Kim. The rendering is beautiful, but not for more density and definitely NO MORE PARKING! A public benefit to this resident would be less parking with incentives (discounts) to guests to ride share/use public transportation to/from the island.
Kim, it’s ALL about profit $$$
Why do they need double the density? Double the units = double the traffic. What was the size of each unit prior and what size do they want now?
I thought the rebuilds were to bring back what they had prior to Ian, not double.
Get real and maybe 80 units from 71.
The drawings look nice but in reality they do not need to double their original units and they could do 3 stories over parking.
Stayed in the complex once after a remodel few years back. Sq ft is small guessing less than 800 sq ft
Is two levels of parking necessary? How about 1.5 levels and they could enlarge each unit to 900 sq ft only add 30 units and still use same look. 101 total
Are homeowners allowed to build back larger houses on their lot or does it have to be the same size?