Seagate’s Red Coconut redevelopment project received its first of two needed Town Council approvals Monday. A second public hearing will be held on November 4th. If the Council approves the plan after that public hearing the project can begin.
Last week the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency voted against the project 4-2 with LPA Chair Anita Cereceda stating that the “public benefit being offered did not meet the request for additional height.” However, town rules allow an applicant to continue on to the Town Council for a vote even if the LPA denies. That’s the gamble Seagate CEO Matt Price was willing to take and it paid off. Mayor Dan Allers was the only no vote stating it did not fit in with the vision of the town’s Comprehensive Plan.
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.
In all the project includes 137 condo units and 4 homes. Price told the Town Council that Fort Myers Beach has got to change. “It’s becoming clearer and clearer that this island is going to change. Certain properties are screaming for out-of-the-box thinking.”
In proposing the motion to move the item to a 2nd reading, Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said, “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” He went on to say that this is a time for choosing. “This project is in the public interest. Seagate has been responsive to the needs of the town. It’s an innovative proposal for the 10 acres of property.”
Councilman Scott Safford said, “I’m not sure what else Matt (Price) can do. He’s not increasing density at all. It’s a beautiful project. We need to move forward and move forward together.”
Price did commit to enhancing the park feature on the beach side of the project as long as Lee County does not require Seagate to build a road access off Estero Boulevard. He also said he would look into the possibility of adding public restrooms even if they were trailers. Public permanent restrooms on the beach side are challenging to build due to FEMA regulations. Price also said he would look into more turn lanes on Donora Boulevard which is an issue Saaford wanted him to address.
After the vote Price told Beach Talk Radio News he’s “appreciative that the Town Council has confidence in the Seagate proposal and we look forward to making the needed changes that the Council asked for.”
During the public comment portion of the hearing those who spoke out in favor of the project and those who spoke out against the project were evenly split. Former Red Coconut property owner Fran Meyer spoke at public comment in favor of the Seagate proposal. She also told the council that she met with a lot of developers, some that came up with outrageous proposals for the property.
Price said if Seagate receives final approval next week 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.
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.
The current Seagate proposal includes 2 buildings that could be 17 stories high, 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 with availability of local paid memberships.
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