Planning Staff Presents Status of Applications

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino

The City of Sanibel staff informed Planning Commissioners of eight pending applications and one completed application (for Sanibel Fire Rescue Station #171). Four were for conditional use permits, two for waivers, one for a variance, and two for interpretation of the Sanibel Code.

Two applications were highlighted:

· One for Kangaroo Express, a convenience store to be located at 1015 Periwinkle Way on the site of the former automotive repair business/gas station;

· Another for Cielo restaurant at 1244 Periwinkle Way, which is seeking to increase the number of seats from 162 to 224 in conjunction with an adjacent commonly owned parcel at 1200 Periwinkle Way.

Two public comments submitted regarding the Kangaroo Express application both objected to the proposed “south driveway” approximately 210 feet south of the intersection of Periwinkle Way and Bailey Road. Joseph Porter of 1066 Bailey Road wrote that said driveway would be directly across from the entrance to his home’s driveway, “and near my electrical box, my water connection to city water, and my mailbox,” he wrote in a letter from Craig Chandler, Deputy Planning Director.

“My concern is that this will result in unwanted vehicle traffic using my driveway as a turnaround and exposing my utilities and mailbox to potential damage and resulting in headlights from exiting vehicles shining directly onto my house,” Porter wrote. “All this negatively affects the value of my property.”

Porter also cited safety concerns regarding the unpaved portion of Bailey Road and the bicycle/pedestrian path connection to Beach Road, both of which experience significant pedestrian and bicycle traffic. “The proposed south driveway would increase vehicle traffic in an already vulnerable area, increasing safety risk for non-motorized users,” Porter concluded.

Porter formally requested a public hearing before approval of this waiver request.

Curtis and Theresa Porcello, owners of 1060 Bailey Road, which is also situated directly across from the proposed second driveway, made almost identical objections to Porter. They added, “Restricting access to the northernmost proposed driveway on Bailey Road, potentially widening it from 24 feet to 32 feet, together with the proposed driveway on Periwinkle Way, would sufficiently accommodate traffic circulation while minimizing adverse impacts on neighboring residential properties,” the Porcellos wrote.

The Porcellos further suggested that the area designated for the southernmost driveway should instead be incorporated into an expanded landscape buffer along Bailey Road, connecting with the buffer along the southern boundary of the property.

The Porcellos, too, requested a public hearing.