by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino

The proposed Island Cow mini golf on Periwinkle Way, next door to the Community House

At the March 31, 2026, Sanibel City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Holly Smith requested and received the City Council’s consensus to add a discussion item to the April 21, 2026, City Council meeting agenda to allow “miniature golf” as a conditional use within the Land Development Code.

The request was made on behalf of the owners of the Island Cow, who want to develop a miniature golf course in conjunction with a restaurant. Island Cow owner Bryan Podlasek was represented by Raychel Thomas of Pavese Law Firm and Benjamin Hofland, PE, with Haley Ward.

The proposal was to create a new conditional use. As of September 28, 2026, 13 emails opposed the miniature golf concept and 8 supported it.

At its November 3 meeting, City Council passed this unanimously, just adding a “fee-based” provision.

• Commercial Admission Allowed: Even though the city restricts the course’s visual style to look like a “natural, integrated botanical amenity” rather than an attraction, the code explicitly defines it as an outdoor commercial recreation facility. The operating business may legally charge customers a fee to play.
• No Free-Access Requirement: The code does not require the facility to be free to the general public. It can operate on a standard pay-to-play commercial basis, similar to standard golf or regional off-island courses.
• Accessory Revenue: Because a course can only be built as an accessory use to an established primary commercial property (such as a restaurant), the fee structure can be bundled with or kept separate from the main business.

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