The new Queen of Weed bus in Times Square is causing quite a stink. But it may not be for the reason you’re thinking. And members of the LPA plan to discuss this new arrival on Fort Myers Beach at its meeting at 11AM today.
Back when Hurricane Ian swept through Fort Myers Beach and destroyed nearly every home and business, the Town Council wanted to do everything possible to help get residents on their property while they rebuild and get businesses back open as quickly as possible.
They encouraged businesses to open food trucks for those that were restaurants and retail trailers for those businesses like Tunaskin. The idea was to give previously operated beach businesses special treatment to help them get back on their feet while they figured out how and if they could rebuild.
Today at the LPA meeting you can expect to hear a lively discussion about the new Queen of Weed truck that Times Square property owner Terry Persaud is renting space to. While some local residents are objecting to the type of business that now sits in the heart of downtown, the discussion will be mainly focused on why a business that did not operate on the beach before the storm has been given a permit to operate now. And it leads to a much bigger question about the precedent the town is now setting.
The town issued Persaud his Queen of Weed permit on February 22nd. Here’s what the permit states in part: “The Temporary Placement Permit shall only be allowed while the damaged living unit is uninhabitable and in the process of repair or replacement living unit is in the process of being constructed.” Before the storm there were no such items being sold in Times Square. So, technically, nothing is being repaired or replaced for this business that was there before as the permit states. Terry Persaud owned a restaurant that sold food and drinks.
In June of 2023 the Council approved ordinance 23-05 to help residents and businesses recover after Hurricane Ian. That ordinance states that a “TPP may be issued for the purposes of placing a manufactured home, mobile home, motor home, motor home, recreational vehicle or other temporary unit for displaced owner-occupants or tenants if their existing living units have become uninhabitable due to adverse weather damage or other acts of God.”
By going back on the original intent of allowing new “truck” businesses on the island, what’s to stop another off island business that competes with La Ola, The Beach Bar or a t-shirt shop from applying for a TPP, finding a willing rent partner, and setting up shop close to all of those similar pre-existing beach businesses. And, if off-island businesses are now being allowed to pop-up and compete with on-island businesses will they be allowed to stay there until further notice. The ordinance allows for unlimited extension requests.
And, let’s take the discussion one step further, using The Beach Bar as the example. Lets say a competing “truck” finds a location to rent near the Beach Bar, sets up shop, and starts raking in the money. The owners of The Beach Bar plan to spend millions of dollars to rebuild a solid, hurricane-proof, building. Why would they invest all of that money while the town allows a competing business to rent space nearby, basically paying peanuts, while the Beach Bar closes its “truck” to rebuild. That was never the intent of the ordinance if you go back and listen to the Town Council discussions.
In addition to the Queen of Weed truck discussion, you can also expect LPA members to question why the town is allowing some businesses to operate before getting all the permits needed. Mr. Waves, which has been open for several months, is on the agenda asking for a special exception to sell alcohol on its outdoor patio. LPA members have had similar questions about Rude Shrimp over at Moss Marina. The other side of the argument we hear from the town is that post hurricane-Ian things are different and the town is trying to do everything possible to get businesses back open as quickly as possible.
The third item that may be of interest at the LPA meeting today is the 6-month review of the outdoor operation at The Whale tent. There has always been an issue with the music coming from the Whale tent and at least one neighbor that lives in the residential neighborhood behind the Whale tent. The owners of The Whale tell us the neighbor consistently walks through the tent with a noise meter to make sure the music is not violating the town’s noise ordinance. Mike and Dawn Miller plan to break ground on their new building at that location over the next several months. When they do, they plan to move the tent down to their Sandy Bottom location across from DiamondHead Resort.
The LPA meeting today begins at 11AM and we will carry it live on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
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