by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Planning Commission established priorities for land development code amendments at its December 12, 2023, meeting. Ninety percent of those priorities identified have been addressed.
The priorities were subsequently reviewed as part of the joint City Council-Planning Commission workshop on June 11, 2024 and, based on discussion among City Council and Planning Commission members regarding revisiting the established priorities, revised and the revisions accepted by the Planning Commission on July 9, 2024.
Of the 29 priorities on the list, 12 have been completed (41%), three are in process with the Planning Commission (10%), and three have been reviewed by the Planning Commission and are in process with City Council (10%). Eight are recommended for no further action (28%). Three are recommended to be continued into 2025 as continuing targets for future land development code amendments (10%).
Additional priorities may be identified throughout the coming year to address issues as they arise; however, City staff anticipates the department’s focus will turn towards long-range planning efforts, specifically the Sanibel Plan update and Transportation Master Plan.
Commissioner Kate Sergeant asked if something specific should be added to the Code regarding repairs post-storm. Even two years after Hurricane Ian, there are a lot of commercial properties that are not being re-developed. She named Dairy Queen, Tipsy Turtle, the Island Cow, Bailey’s, and the 7-11 across from Bailey’s. “I understand we need a grace period but do we need a specific code with a time limit,” Sergeant asked. Perhaps, she said, the code could at least require a landscape buffer be planted for aesthetic purposes. “As residents, we don’t see it anymore, but people coming back are startled by the disrepair of certain properties,” she said.
Planning Director Paula McMichael responded that there is a “distressed properties” section in the Land Development Code that allows the City’s Code Enforcement to ensure that properties are secure and no one can access them. “We do have processes in our Code,” she said.
City Attorney John Agnew explained that there is not something on the books that would require landscape buffers. He explained there is something requiring owners to make efforts. For example, the roofs and windows have to be secure, and there can’t be litter strewn about. “It’s a Code Enforcement matter,” he said. “We have been taking a number of people to task, but there are so many.” The City has been selectively implementing the Code focusing first on safety and then aesthetics. “Everyone’s at a point where we recognize it’s time to push forward.”
City Manager Dana Souza said they are looking for compliance rather than enforcement. “We know that we have to tighten up on that,” he said, but allowed that some people might have legitimate reasons for delay.
A City staff meeting was scheduled to take place later in the day on this topic.
As far as priorities, City staff will provide an updated list at the December 10, 2024, Planning Commission meeting for acceptance.
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