by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Community Housing and Resources asked the Sanibel City Council for a temporary waiver from the requirements of their land lease with the city. Council tabled the request during its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
CHR is asking permission for on-duty Lee County Emergency Medical Services personnel to operate for two years in its limited-equity ownership house on Whitehall Drive, at the intersection of Casa Ybel Road, while the Station House No. 171 is rebuilt.
CHR owns the building, but leases the land from the city. The terms of the lease require the land to be used for the sole benefit of the below-market-rate housing program, which is why the waiver is needed.
“In consideration of the residential character of the surrounding neighborhood, the EMS team has agreed to operate without the use of sirens or emergency lights within the residential area except in cases of urgent necessity,” wrote CHR Executive Director Nicole McHale in her request for the waiver.
Council members seemed to agree with the plan until the issue of notification arose. They discovered that no notification at all had been made to neighbors, some of whom might have concerns about EMS being next door.
Council tabled the request to give CHR enough time to send out notifications to neighbors. Planning Director Paula McMichael said neighbors within 300 feet are usually notified.
If “The terms of the lease require the land to be used for the sole benefit of the below-market-rate housing program” then why are they making an exception to house the Lee County employees? There are alternative rentals available on this island for workers that don’t qualify for CHR.