Fort Myers Beach is now a community divided. On one side is a group who fought for incorporation. A fight instigated by tall buildings being dropped on the island by Lee County. On the other side, the beach’s elected officials who believe Hurricane Ian changed the playing field.
By a final vote of 3-2 on Monday the Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved Seagate’s new 137 condo unit redevelopment project for 10 acres the company purchased in 2023 for $52 million. The redevelopment of that 10-acre parcel could include up to 5 buildings, each and every one would be taller than the tallest building now standing on Fort Myers Beach. Mayor Dan Allers and Councilman Scott Safford voted to deny the project. Safford appeared to be a yes vote on the project until the e-mails and public comment in opposition seemed to change his mind. On Monday, he said, “We’re not building back together.”
The last time the community was this at odds was when Margaritaville proposed its first rebuild of the run-down properties at the base of The Matanzas Pass bridge. However, that was followed by years of meetings, push-back from the LPA and Town Council, and community outreach that resulted in a much smaller resort, one that is now held up as the example of what residents expect to see from their elected leaders and developers who want to build on the beach.
The two public hearings for the Seagate project were both standing room only, despite the fact that many locals are still working to get back in their homes 2 years after a devastating hurricane displaced them. 27 people spoke in opposition to the project Monday and there were no members of the public that spoke in favor. It was the second public hearing this month that resulted in the majority of public speakers opposing. After the public spoke Mayor Dan Allers asked Seagate CEO Matt Price if he wanted to voluntarily table his proposal. Price declined to pull the project and said he deserved to get a vote.
Allers made a motion to deny the project which was seconded by Councilman Safford. Safford said even though Seagate was not asking for more density it was clear to him from the public outcry against the project that, “We’re not together on this.” The motion to deny the project was defeated 3-2.
Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt supported the project because, he says, “the proposal is for ⅓ less density than the property had before Hurricane Ian.” Atterholt said he’s comfortable with that. Atterholt has said he would never have voted for this (and other tall) developments pre-Ian. Council member Karen Woodson made a motion to approve the project which Atterholt seconded and with John King also voting yes, the project was approved 3-2 with Allers and Safford opposing.
Some elected officials – and other community members – have bought into the idea that if these developments are not approved investors will walk away from Fort Myers Beach. In fact, Seagate CEO Matt Price said Monday, other developers are waiting to see what happens with his project, and he wanted to go first. Residents who opposed the project do not buy into that theory that the beach will fizzle out without these taller buildings.
Fort Myers Beach resident Greg Scasny, who spoke at public comment and recently lost his bid to win a Town Council seat commented that, “It’s a sad day when Jim Atterholt , John King and Karen Woodson decide that their constituents don’t matter, that our community doesn’t matter. When there is no real community left in FMB, they can look straight in the mirror and say “I did that”. When they close the beach school because there are no families here to support it because they put the most massive structures EVER on the island, smack dab in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood and this monstrosity overshadows the school, again they can look in the mirror and say “I did that”.
Former Mayors Anita Cereceda and Ray Murphy spoke in opposition. Cereceda, who was Mayor in the mid-90’s during the incorporation period said she didn’t think a single council member ever electeed would have voted for the Seagate project. Murphy said it would be this Council’s Waterloo.
There have been whispers of recall elections and lawsuits from community members. Only John King and Karen Woodson are eligible to be recalled at this point in time. If there is any lawsuit filed, those opposed say it would be filed against the town for not following their Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
The Seagate plan includes two condo towers that could be as high as 17 stories. There are 3 other buildings (all on the Bay side) that would be less than 17 stories. The 2 17-story buildings will be over 200 feet higher (235 feet total) than what’s allowed by right. The plan includes 137 condo units, 4 single family homes, 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.
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.
Seagate CEO Matt Price has said 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.
Watch our interview from Saturday, November 30th with Seagate CEO Matt Price HERE.
Local journalism is hard work. If you appreciate the most in-depth reporting on Fort Myers Beach, please support what we do HERE by Venmo, Zell or PayPal. Thank you.
Comments are closed.