provided to The Santiva Chronicle
CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. – Supporters of the redevelopment of South Seas are signing an online petition advising the Lee County Board of County Commissioners that they favor the proposed amendments to the Lee County Land Development Code (LDC) and the Lee Plan that would allow South Seas to build back its hotel following extensive damage from Hurricane Ian.
Pending the ruling by Lee County Board of County Commissioners on the build-back height, South Seas redevelopment plans include replacing the destroyed Harbourside hotel with a new hotel, adding new and improved resort amenities and services throughout South Seas, creating new and upgraded food and beverage concepts and developing a renovated and enhanced Bayview pool complex.
“South Seas fully supports Lee County in addressing new building height measurements relative to flood elevation changes for South Seas and all of Lee County following Hurricane Ian,” said Greg Spencer with South Seas ownership. “Our goal is to bring back our workforce whose livelihoods depend on the opening of the resort and to build back the resort in a resilient manner to avoid destruction from future storms. By supporting the petition, residents and guests are demonstrating their support for South Seas to move forward and to help rebuild the fabric of South Seas for generations to come.”
Have to say…. After Isn and Idalia, and the way insurance companies moving out from Florida…. With sea level rise and climate crisis, investing in Sanibel and Captiva is….. a lost cause. Time to realise reality. Sanibel Strong is wishful thinking. And I love Sanibel and Captiva. Sorry.
Captiva like Sanibel needs to be rebuilt for the new requirements so changes like this are necessary. BOCC has our vote to update the LEE County code.
Vincent Wolanin Sanibel Island
37 year full time resident.
Petition South Seas to pay for sewer installation for all of Captiva!
This article, and the petition circulated by the PR staff for Timbers Resorts, omits a key fact in the changes to the Land Development Code. The changes discuss height, but they also open the door for unlimited increases in the number of hotel rooms at South Seas. South Seas was planned for 912 total units. Mr Spencer and Timbers paid 50M for 249 units, or about $200k per unit. Not a bad deal. So they are not in dire straits. They did not over pay, and should simply build back the 249 units they are alotted.
What a joke. They never mention what they are trying to change on the island in height and density.
Building heights should not increase nor the overall density. We wish to maintain the current environment.
Build it back thoughtfull YES but increase the density NO. It will apply even more pressure to SanCap Road and Sanibel and the delicate balance of people v wildlife.