by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
At its September 22, 2026, meeting, the Planning Commission considered a resolution recommending that City Council amend the City’s Code of Ordinances to allow miniature golf as a conditional use in the General Commercial zoning district.
“Conditional use” means a use permitted in a particular zoning district only upon a showing that such use in a specified location will comply with the conditions and standards for the location or operation of such use, as contained in the zoning ordinance, and only upon the issuance of an authorization therefor by the Planning Commission
The proposal for the Island Cow mini golf course could not be evaluated at this time, without a site plan being submitted. A Conditional Use permit and site-specific application are not under review at this time. The proposed code amendment under consideration will apply to 63 of the 69 properties within the General Commercial district and must be considered in the context of this broader applicability. (The parcel must be a maximum of 2.5 acres.)
First, the Commission sought to define “miniature golf” as follows: Miniature Golf Course means an outdoor commercial recreation facility that may include putting greens, bunkers, sand pits, elevation/terrain changes, obstacles, pathways, and meandering greenways, on which a miniature, putting-focused version of a traditional golf game is played by people of all ages and abilities using putting club(s) and golf ball(s).
Second, some standards were set: Themed components are prohibited, including adventure and exploration, jungle, adventure island, lost world, windmills, animals, statues, blinking lights, pirate and nautical, carnival, circus, safari, dinosaur, Jurassic, old west, mining town, space exploration, science fiction, and other similar themes.”
Third, all outdoor lighting shall comply with regulations; microphones, loudspeakers, or amplifiers are prohibited; noise disturbances are prohibited, and any signage shall comply with regulations. Additional signage or outdoor advertising shall not be permitted.
The Resolution approved by the Planning Commission, with some minor changes, reads, in part, “The Planning Commission finds the proposed amendment to be consistent with the Sanibel Plan, as it relates to the Plan for Recreation and Open Space to support the continued provision of private recreational facilities available to the public where they are compatible with the goals, objectives and policies of the Sanibel Plan.”
As of September 11, 2026, the City received 12 emails opposing the miniature golf concept and eight emails supporting it.
This issue now moves on to City Council.
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