Earlier this week, by a vote of 4-2, the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency denied a request from Freeland Holdings to make a Future Land Use Development Map Amendment. That was the first step Freeland needed approved in their quest to build 3 hotels totaling 400 rooms, a 1,000-foot long community bay walk, a marina, bars, restaurants and shopping.
After much discussion, the LPA denied Freelend’s request. Town Staff recommended the LPA deny the request stating the proposed change “is not clearly in the public interest.” Despite both staff and the LPA recommending denial, Freeland can still take his plan to the Town Council, which is where the final decision lies.
Will Freeland go to the Town Council or will they walk away? Ben Feeland told Beach Talk Radio yesterday, “We are working through the options currently. No clear direction yet.”
If Freeland decides to take his request to change 3.53 acres of Marina use and 1 acre of mixed residential use to Pedestrian Commercial directly to the council and they approve, Freeland could then decide to continue with their plans to build. They would then go through the CPD process much like many of the other major developments on the island must go through. If the Town Council denies the Freeland request, the project is basically dead. Ben Freeland has repeatedly said he would continue to operate as a marina if his project did not go through.
Both the Town Council and LPA have repeatedly said, during joint meetings, that they want to stick to the town’s Comprehensive Plan as is.
The request on the table for the LPA was to change eight parcels of land now identified as Marina and Mixed Residential to Pedestrian Commercial, and join two existing parcels of land Freeland owns that are already classified Pedestrian Commercial.
At the LPA meeting on Tuesday, several residents from the surrounding neighborhoods spoke up in opposition to the project. Moss Marina is adjacent to two nearby neighborhoods.
When Ben Freeland spoke before the LPA Tuesday he asked members, “What do you want the vision of the island to be?” He told them they should put their 20-30 year hats on.
LPA member Patrick Vanasse, who voted in favor of the map amendment change said, “We can look at this as an opportunity or we can approach it with fear.” Vanasse added, “I’ve got concerns about the financial future of this town. We have to get going with redevelopment.” Vanasse was first to make a motion. His motion was to approve the change, which failed by a vote of 4-2.
LPA Chair Anita Cereceda, who’s known the Freeland family for decades said she would love to be able to tell them yes. However, that was not in the cards. She said she was not looking at this project out of fear. “I cannot support your request,” the former Fort Myers Beach Mayor said. “I’m like the old guard. I want people to be able to live their lives. That’s the oldest neighborhood on the island. I can never escape the commercial intrusion on neighborhoods.”
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