On Monday the Fort Myers Beach Town Council held its second public hearing to consider the new Myerside Resort and voted 4-1 to approve the project. The 53,463 square foot boutique resort will include 45 hotel rooms, and four live/work units. The resort will also include 9,000 square feet of retail space, including a 2,250 square foot restaurant, on the 1st floor. The town code calls for 89 parking spaces for this proposed structure. The Myerside team asked for and received a 30% reduction in parking, down to 60 spots.
Mayor Dan Allers voted against the project as he did at the first public hearing. Allers was the only council member opposed. He believes this will set a precedent. “When the property (Seagate) down the road comes in to ask for 840 hotel rooms, based on what we’re approving here, how do we tell them no? This is not smart growth. You are asking for a lot of density. This is going to have an adverse effect on the town’s infrastructure”
During public comment several people spoke in favor and a few were opposed to the project.
Property owner Paula Kiker spoke in favor of the project. “We must rebuild wisely and quickly. We will always be a tourist town. This project is a boutique gem. Fort Myers Beach will be a wasteland of dust and weeds if this doesn’t get approved.”
Madison Court resident Barbara Hill opposes the project. “The 7 deviations they are asking for are more than I approve. The density they are asking for is not reasonable. They are not compliant with the parking. I hope you vote no.”
Delmar resident Ron Fleming is in favor of the project. “Change is coming. This is a good change.”
Bay Beach Lane resident Todd Capella was opposed. “This island is not going to shrivel up and die if we don’t build back quickly. I’m not seeing a lot of public benefit This is way above what they are allowed.”
A representative from London Bay also spoke in favor of the project.
Myerside Resort owners Beverly Milligan and Rolland Weinmann also asked for more height than what’s allowed by code. Town staff states the height limit in that zoning district is limited to 30 feet and 3 stories. The Myerside ask was 37 feet and 4 stories. Town staff says that the maximum allowable units on the property is 20 (using a multiplier for hotel units). The Myerside ask is for 49 units. Before the storm Myerside had 12 units.
It will take approximately 8-10 months to acquire all the permits to start construction. Milligan has told Beach Talk Radio if everything goes smoothly construction could begin in late 2025 and take 18-24 months to build. That would peg the opening in the Summer or Fall of 2027.
All but one of the 7 Myerside cottage buildings on the 1.03 acre lot were wiped out on September 28, 2022.
The thick heads from the town council need to re-read this copy and paste section from this article.
Myerside Resort owners Beverly Milligan and Rolland Weinmann also asked for more height than what’s allowed by code. Town staff states the height limit in that zoning district is limited to 30 feet and 3 stories. The Myerside ask was 37 feet and 4 stories. Town staff says that the maximum allowable units on the property is 20 (using a multiplier for hotel units). The Myerside ask is for 49 units. Before the storm Myerside had 12 units.
Why was a London Bay representative even allowed to speak at this meeting? Of course we know his agenda.
Fort Myers Beach will become a wasteland of dust and weeds if this project wasn’t approved, Paula?
Really?
That may be the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.
That seven mile stretch of sandy shore and placid sea blessed with some of the best weather and fishing in the country would turn to dust and weed because some developer didn’t get their way?
The absurdity of that is breathtaking.
Agree with the Mayor. Bad decision!!! The Vice Mayor pontificates for hours on end about traffic and how to fix it, and Woodson wants a toll to reduce traffic. Extremely disingenuous of them to then vote for over 100% increase in density than what is allowed by right. Just wait for Seagate, London Bay and developers of Neptune property to ask for the same. King has no interest in the residents, just developers. Prepare yourselves for year round gridlock.
Here we go … from 20 -to- 49 units !!
Do you know what you just did ????
Shame on the ones voting for this.
Lawsuits will come – ones voting for this should be held liable/accountable!
What a mess ….
I hope all the guests don’t end up parking at Bay Oaks…then I, as a resident won’t have parking when I go there to use the facilities!
The Dam has been breached and you will now see all the vultures coming with modified plans to have approved based on the council’s approval of variances for this project. I suspect lawsuits will follow and the Town be bankrupt at some point in the future. Bad mistake to grant this to move forward especially going from 12 to 49. Four times what existed before. Shame on those who voted yes.
I see both sides. But I agree with the Mayor that once you grant variances you open the flood gates and if you deny someone else, litigation is sure to follow. You never get in trouble when you still to your own rules. But if you break them, it becomes a free for all..
I like it but it needs to be scaled back some. 45/49 rooms when only 20 are allowed us much too much. Yes it has to be economically feasible but 250% increase in rooms over allowable is NOT acceptable. Yes, I’m including the 4 worker units that will benefit the resort not the community. Want, need, and approved are Not the same. Remember the original TPI proposal for over 600 rooms, compare to what was actually built.