On Wednesday, one month after the LPA recommended the Town Council deny a new 6-story 40-unit boutique hotel that the owners of the Pink Shell want to build, the Town Council approved it by a vote of 3-1.
A big part of the LPA hangup was with a transfer of density from the bay side of Estero Boulevard to the beach side that occurred in the late 90’s and the year 2000. Those community members who were around then, and are still around now; Jane Plummer, Ray Murphy, Jessica Titus and others believe that the transfer of density included all Pink Shell property on the bayside, that it would never be developed. Ever.
It took a lot of research to uncover what appear to be documents that show two lots on the bay side were not part of that density transfer. That’s the way the Pink Shell pitched it and Fort Myers Beach Community Development Director Sarah Probst appeared to agree with their assessment. The property where the marina is was included in the density transfer and the property where they are proposing the resort was not.
Former Mayor Ray Murphy, who has been very visible lately in opposition to these new developments, told the Town Council the intent of the original Pink Shell CPD was to transfer all the density to the beach side. “In perpetuity that side was to remain undeveloped. That was the intent. That’s changed somewhere along the way. What you are facing here is these property owners piling on after Ian. Everybody is trying to get more and more and more of what they are not entitled to.” Murphy was the Mayor at the time of the original Pink Shell CPD.
The proposed property the Pink Shell would like to build the resort on is now a parking lot. In previous years it had tennis courts on it. It’s is located right next to the dilapidated house that the owner has told the town he plans to fix up (see picture right). Yes you read that right.
After a very lengthy presentation from the Pink Shell team, public comment and a short discussion amongst the council members, the plan was approved 3-1. A second and final vote will be taken at the Town Council meeting on February 3rd.
Pink Shell owner Bob Boykin would not commit to a time-frame to start building the new resort. He said he was expecting to see a much stronger 2024 season and wants to see how the 2025 season goes before approaching a lender on what he says is a $30 to $40 million bet. “If you put a condition on this that we have to start within a year, I probably wouldn’t do it.” For that reason Councilwoman Karen Woodson voted no. “The hang up for me is the timing.”
Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said this was a tough one for him. “This is a new build, not a rebuild, and we should have a higher threshold for public benefits being offered for rebuilds.” In the end, Atterholt voted yes but reserved his right to change his vote if the Town Attorney comes back with any new information about the density transfer documents.
Councilman Scott Safford said there was enough public benefit and made the motion to approve the proposal. Safford, who was in the boutique hotel business before Ian, agreed with Boykin about waiting to see how season goes to rebuild. Councilman John King also voted yes.
Mayor Allers recused himself from the discussion because he does business with the Pink Shell through his golf cart company.
The Town Council has been much more receptive to new development than the LPA. This iis now the 2nd big project the LPA has recommended the Town Council deny, the other being the Seagate Red Coconut redevelopment project.