by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
City Council received a request from The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club to waive the noise ordinance for the outdoor tented Dahlmann wedding reception on the driving range for approximately 150 guests with a disc jockey. The request was to extend the reception end time from 10 p.m. until midnight on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
City Council has not previously granted such requests, according to Andrea Miller, Recreation Director. The city’s noise ordinance allows 66 decibels up to 10 p.m. and 60 decibels after 10 p.m.
An internet search found that 66 decibels is roughly equivalent to the volume of a normal conversation or a household washing machine, according to Saint Luke’s Health System. Likewise, 60 decibels is the typical sound level of a conversation between two people at a normal speaking volume.
Vice Mayor Holly Smith said, “If you extend it to one, you have to extend it to all. I have to look at the greater good.”
Council voted unanimously that the reception will have to adhere to the city’s noise ordinance.
In other council news:
The Sanibel Island Golf Course is seeking bulk purchase rates for reclaimed water for three years.
The golf course has been for sale and is currently under contract for purchase by Xude Sanibel Golf Partners LLC. As a condition of the sale, Xude is seeking a commitment from the city to maintain the reclaimed water rate consistent with the rates currently in place for three years.
Council member John Henshaw said, “I do think we need to get this transaction closed,” and both Vice Mayor Holly Smith and Council member Richard Johnson insisted that this be reviewed after three years to be fair to the other island golf courses. Council member Laura DeBruce recused herself from this discussion and vote as her law office represents the golf course.
As a long time resident of Sanibel since 1976, I strongly recommend the commitment from the City to maintain the reclaimed water rate consistent with the rates currently in place for three years. The Sanibel Island Golf Club needs a break as it has been struggling to provide island residents with an affordable golf course in a beautiful natural setting where you see birds and other wildlife at every turn and that is what attracts the tourist to our wondeful island paradise. I’m not sure if the City is aware that a number of gofers that live in Fort Myers come out to the island to play at the Sanibel Island Golf Club because of the friendliness of the staff and the layout of the golf course. The Sanibel Island Golf Club just needs a little cooperation from the City to help it move forward to becoming the best golf course it can become as it has a lot of potential.
Bobbie McGlynn
490 Birdsong Place
Sanibel, FL 33957