Seagate CEO Matt Price answered questions from Fort Myers Beach residents at The Pink Shell Resort for over an hour Wednesday night. Seagate is proposing a multi-million dollar project for the 10-acre Red Coconut property that was a beloved RV Park for decades.
Price is hopeful that through his discussions with town staff and Town Manager Andy Hyatt, working through the town’s Development Agreement process, he can get his plan in front of the Local Planning Agency in September. A Development Agreement allows a developer to work directly with staff to see if a project even has a chance to make it to the LPA and Town Council. Other developers go through the CPD process which includes every detail of a project, takes much longer, and costs a lot more money. If a Development Agreement gets the green light from staff, it could help a developer start building sooner. At the end of the day, the LPA and the Town Council still need to approve development projects. The goal of a Development Agreement is to help rebuild the island on a faster track, if possible.
The Seagate proposal includes 2 buildings that are home to a total of 137 condo units, 4 single family homes, 3 parks, 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.
The questions on Wednesday night mirrored many of the questions that concern residents and visitors regarding other new developments; building height, density, traffic, parking and public benefit.
Seagate has proposed 137 condo units and 4 homes, 9 units under what they are allowed to build by right, according to the town code for that property. Price told the Wednesday night crowd of about 100 people that those condo units will not be rentable. They will be for permanent beach residents.
It may also be of interest to those looking at what Seagate is proposing, that, by right, using the town’s hotel room multiplier (2.5), Seagate could have proposed a resort that included hundreds of rooms which would create a much more transient traffic situation.
Yes, Seagate will be asking for more height (and other deviations) than what’s allowable on that property. The north condo building is 15 floors over 2 floors of parking with 69 condo units. The south condo building is also 15 floors over 2 floors of parking with 68 units. Price believes what he’s returning to the town in public benefit should help him get the height he’s asking for. The question for the residents may come down to do they want taller buildings with more of a view corridor or short spread out buildings with no view corridor at all.
The public benefit includes turning one third of the property into public space, not building any livable units on the beach side of Estero, beach views from Estero Boulevard, public access to Matanzas Pass Preserve, bicycle and walking paths.
Town Manager Andy Hyatt tells Beach Talk Radio his staff is working hard to get the Seagate proposal on the September LPA agenda.
This is all tied to the new Bridge on the South end – the only reason for that new bridge is the development money from bayside –
All our elected officials are basically sellouts to Big Developers for their own ego- shameful what’s going on .
Listed is an article telling the truth behind the Preserve “takeover”.
Floridaphoenix.com/2024/02/15/florida-lawmakers-try-to-move-aquatic-preserve-boundries-to-benefit-developer/
My apologies to the town if you knew nothing of this.
Floridaphoenix.com/2024/02/15florida-lawmakers-try-to-move-aquatic-preserves-boundry-to-benefit-developer/
Looks like the fix is in. We will loosing Matanzas Pass Preserve. Given Florida State Legislature green light!! Interesting coincidence, just in time for Seagate to build, build, build
From the Ft Myers News Press, Feb 21, 2024.
A bill that would chop off a northern part of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve is moving forward in the Senate after being given a favorable 9-0 committee vote last week.
Sponsored by Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers), the bill would remove parts of Matanzas Pass from the preserve and make way for hotel and marina development on an island that has historically consisted of mobile homes for retirees.
The bill, which cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, would also allow for the dredging of a sandbar used by endangered and threatened wildlife, mostly birds.
Preserve advocates worry Rep. Adam Botana’s companion bill may still be lurking in the House.
I thought a Preserve was just that.
This is the first I’ve heard of this but certainly the town has and said… nothing.
Months ago I commented on BTR about how the town had said nothing about the plans for the old Red Coconut.
“on an island that has historically consisted of mobile homes for retirees”?
That’s not FMB.
Does anyone believe Seagate purchased this tract of land without an inkling the town would approve their projects? Were state Sunshine Laws broken with private boardroom deals? A great way to disprove my questions would be to put the proposed project to a vote by residents and not just to the town council. It’s time to take everyone’s temperature on the growth of the town.
Looks like a beautiful project. It’s great that they aren’t proposing any structures beachside.
I live right down the street from the Seagate property, why can’t they hire landscapers to clean up the property? It is a mess. They cleaned up the property on the Gulf side, why can’t they do the same for the other side of the street?
I also don’t like what is being proposed, too much traffic and way too big.
Stick to the code.
F’ing EXACTLY!!
Stick to the code. Why was this proposal even put forwards? The city should only approve the lowest density options available on any new development.
Red coconut had over 150 rental sites previously so I don’t think the number of condos and homes they are proposing would make any difference with traffic.
Maybe, but were those units 2 to 3000 Sq feet each? No, so in a sense they will be up to 3x the building volume previously had. No longer will they be 2 to 3 people per unit but up to 6 at 3 bedrooms each.
I doubt that they would be able to build a “resort that includes hundreds of rooms” with current height restrictions.
In order to build, you have to adhere to all rules:
– density (number of dwellings per sq footage)
– height restrictions
– setbacks
The fact that a property allows for higher density doesn’t mean that you can actually “fill” that – you have to follow ALL the rules. That is exactly what was intended when these rules were made when the town incorporated.
I thought the same thing too. It sounds like a thinly veiled threat by Seagate to block the view on the beach if they don’t get what they want (“not building any livable units on the beach side of Estero”). I’m wondering realistically just how much does a narrow “view corridor” abutting two imposingly tall buildings contribute to the value and enjoyment of the neighbors up the block? What are they going to do sit out on the edge of the street and enjoy the view? It’s like looking through a tunnel at a speck of water! Sounds like bullying.
Crazy ! How are all these people that are going to live there expect to go anywhere on Estero Blvd ? It’s been a nightmare for years in season to get anywhere.. Can’t believe this
What is the price range for the units? Will any locals be able to afford these, especially those who list their home to Ian?
It is real estate. The market will give the price. No one is going to sell for less than what someone is willing to pay. If the cost is above what someone can pay, then technically they cannot afford to live on the island. Location, Location, Location.
It’s far too early for pricing, but you can make some guesses by, for example, looking the Gulfside 12 condos. I’m fairly certain these will be $1mil or more.
As to “will locals be able to afford these,” huh?? Sure, if they have sufficient income/resources.
The question here is this:
Will the council and LPA stick to the promise to their constituents not to raise height limits or change the comp plan?
A second question:
When staff is reviewing these plans that include 15 story buildings does it abide by the promise, say ‘won’t go’ and move on to the next in line?
We have certainly deviated from the town restrictions of 44 feet in height. Somehow the original town planners would not agree with this kind of construction, each new build seems to be wackier.
Condo documents can restrict rentals in a development. When you buy you are agreeing to the documents. The people buying don’t want new neighbors to very week.
Wow.
This is a gorgeous development that beautifies FMB.
Compare that to Lee County that as gas stations, storage facilities and other crappy development…
And BTW. Traffic is caused by off island vacationers and homeowners. More hotels off island and 800k residents. FMB development is not the problem.
#Fact
What a wonderful drawing of the proposal. It depicts an idea of having a few cars driving by, and a handful of people walking around and riding bikes. It even shows lots of room for skating. Now let reality set in.
The claim of a Public benefit… if the project is denied, does Seagate propose to block public access to Mantanzas Pass Preserve?
How can Seagate legally deny someone the right to purchase a condo that isn’t a permanent beach resident? What law prevents an owner of said condo from renting out a unit while hundreds of other condos on the island are rented to vacationers?
Don’t threaten the residents with blocking the view of the beach by building structures beachside if they don’t get their way. We can see the gulf anytime we want.