Bike Rentals Approved for Rabbit Road Business

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino

Planning Commission heard an application seeking to allow rental of up to 20 class-1 e-bikes in addition to the existing vehicle rental use (10 motorized vehicles) at 975 Rabbit Road, the center that includes Rosalita’s and will soon include A Bit of Bailey’s.

The application was submitted by Laura DeBruce on behalf of Timothy McGowan, the property owner. DeBruce said she and her partners will bring a unique combination of business savvy and island history. The business is a half mile from the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, near to the Shell Museum and Bowman’s Beach and will allow riders who can’t otherwise make the trip to visit those island attractions.

Staff recommended approval of, and the Planning Commission unanimously approved with Commissioners Grogman and Sergeant absent, the application subject to some conditions, including but not limited to:

• The total number of motorized vehicles associated with vehicle rental use, including taxis, motorized rental vehicles, and employee vehicles, is 10 with five motorized vehicles associated with Suite 1-1A and five motorized vehicles associated with Suite 6. (The vehicles will be stored indoors.)

• File a permit application to obtain a development permit (change of use) as needed to implement approved plans that are substantially compliant with all the conditions of this resolution.

• Vehicle rental of bikes or class 1 e-bikes is permitted with an inventory of up to twenty (20) bikes stored indoors. Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are expressly prohibited from use on City of Sanibel shared-use paths and therefore are not permitted for vehicle rental by this resolution.

• Maintain an improved interconnectivity path that provides access from Unit 6 of the Rabbit Road Center to the shared-use path (west) to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.

• Maintain vegetation and landscape buffers in compliance with the approved landscape plan.