by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Sanibel City Council held several Public Hearings at its January 13 meeting and unanimously approved them.
Demolition of 4560 Waters Edge. This was a hearing regarding an assessment against 4560 Waters Edge to recover the cost of demolition of a dangerous property. City Council voted unanimously to levy an assessment of $25,954.96 against the property to cover the costs of bringing it into compliance. It started as a distressed property and began accruing daily fines for violations. As it continued to deteriorate, the owner made no effort to abate any code violations. The property was thereafter deemed dangerous, and notices were sent to the owner. The City proceeded with demolition. The demolition bill was mailed to the owner, but was not paid.
Electrical and Mechanical Equipment. Now at its Second Reading, Council is prepared to make this an ordinance. These amendments support renewable energy adoption by making it easier to install solar batteries and associated equipment and by simplifying permitting through the administrative deviation process. The revisions also enhance clarity and consistency by providing clear definitions, expanding the scope to accommodate evolving technologies and equipment needs, and streamlining requirements to make code compliance more straightforward for both applicants and staff.
Expediting Review of Waiver Applications. On October 21, 2025, the City Council considered extending the temporary allowances for short-form approval of waivers, which would otherwise expire on December 31, 2025. The ordinance now approved unanimously by City Council extends the deadline in the code for the sunsetting of the provision to December 31, 2026
Conditional Uses – Aid Hurricane Recovery. On October 21, 2025, the City Council considered extending the temporary allowances for short-form approval of certain types of conditional uses, which would otherwise expire on December 31, 2025. The ordinance now extends the code’s sunset deadline for the provision to December 31, 2026. Notice of a conditional use application is provided to adjacent property owners within 300 feet, as well as to the planning commission. Any applicant, resident, or business owner may request that a conditional use permit be considered as a long-form application by the planning commission rather than through administrative review.
Waive Long-Form Development Permit for Certain Applications. On October 21, 2025, the City Council considered extending the temporary allowances for short-form approval of certain types of conditional uses, which would otherwise expire on December 31, 2025. The ordinance now extends the code’s sunset deadline for the provision to December 31, 2026. Variances are still heard and approved by the Planning Commission; however, any implementing development permit can be approved by staff. Waiver applications can be approved by staff under a similar proposal, along with, under this amendment, any implementing development permit. Conditional uses are still heard and approved by the Planning Commission, with limited exceptions, but the implementing development permit can be approved by staff. These long-form development permit applications can be approved by planning staff for a limited period of time (through December 31, 2026). All the standards of review still apply.
Optional Police Pension Contribution and Benefit. The Municipal Police Officers’ Retirement Trust Fund (Plan) provides Sanibel’s sworn police officers with pension benefits upon their retirement. All police officers are required to participate in the Plan. The Plan requires participants to make mandatory contributions of 5.0 percent of earnings, deducted from paychecks on a bi-weekly basis and continuing until the participant separates from the City or reaches retirement age. The final pension benefit that the participant receives is actuarily determined based on the final five years of salary and not directly related to the 5.0 percent contributions made. The Plan also includes a supplemental benefit to assist in medical expenses after retirement (in addition to the pension benefit noted above). To participate in this supplemental benefit, a participant must contribute an additional 3.0 percent of earnings into the Plan. The final supplemental benefit is actuarialy determined based on the final years of service and continues until the participant reaches 67 (or for a minimum of 5 years if the participant retires after 62). However, it has now been determined that the 3.0 percent contribution to medical expenses is voluntary, not mandatory. Twelve sworn officers state they would not have chosen the voluntary 3 percent contribution and will be issued a refund.
Sanibel Harbours Dredge Assessment. This was a required public hearing to declare the City’s intent to use the uniform method of collecting (i.e., tax bill) for non-ad valorem special assessments for the Sanibel Harbours Inlet Dredging Assessment District. At the December 16, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council voted to establish and implement the Sanibel Harbours Inlet Dredging Assessment District, which authorized the City to levy a recurring annual special assessment on the 44 parcels within the Assessment District of $586.23 per parcel per year. Florida Statutes requires the City to adopt this resolution at a public hearing prior to March 1, 2026. The Sanibel Harbours residents requested that the Sanibel Harbours Inlet Dredging Assessment District be established so residents may pay an annual assessment toward future dredging as part of their annual tax bill, rather than a larger lump-sum payment when dredging is needed.