by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Sanibel City Council and the Planning Commission held a joint workshop on February 18 attended by close to 50 citizens. Mayor Richard Johnson thanked everyone for their interest and attendance. The workshop calls for discussion only; there are to be no motions or votes.
Councilmember Holly Smith said, “This is a great opportunity for us to get together again. We have great opportunities here. Our goal today is recovery, to relax the rules where we need to, if we can.” She mentioned the possibility of pilot programs and short- term or emergency proclamations. “How can we expedite the process, including permitting,” she asked. “Is there a black hole that something falls into” in the permitting process? She said that condominium associations are gridlocked, businesses as well. Where can Council set policies? Are there musts or shoulds and where as Council do we set guidelines? What is the benefit to our community? Is this more restrictive or less restrictive? Senate 250 bill changed that for us – our code cannot be changed to be more restrictive.
Senate Bill 250 provides that a county or municipality located entirely or partially within 100 miles of where either Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole made landfall shall not propose or adopt any moratorium on construction, reconstruction, or redevelopment of any property damaged by Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole. Furthermore, a county or municipality shall not propose or adopt more restrictive or burdensome amendments to its comprehensive plan or land development regulations or propose or adopt more restrictive or burdensome procedures concerning review, approval or issuance of a site plan, development permit or development order before Oct. 1, 2024.
“We’re seeing other issues come forward 2-1/2 years out,” Smith continued. “We are in a different mindset right now. The Planning Commission and City Council have to handle it, we are the ones you need to come to, to tell us that you’re having an issue; it may turn out five others have the same issue. See how our staff can work with us to solve these for the greatest good for all of us trying to recover, residential, business, tourism. Sad to say we’re not there.”
Councilmember Laura DeBruce suggested the group should be looking at it from “10,000 feet” to see what is needed on Sanibel. “We are a small town, we have to focus on our residents’ need to get back in their homes and our small businesses, and we need our tourists, resort housing, and condos. Our message to all is we are trying to get someone back into their house the fastest, best way possible.” In general, she said, the focus is on how to get everyone back as quickly as possible.
“The number of people who have come out [to the workshop] shows real public interest,” said Planning Commissioner Lyman Welch. “There are complaints about permitting getting stuck in staff somewhere, not at Planning Commission. I think a separate ombudsman position is a good idea, someone to work with staff and applicants to provide for solutions.”
Planning Commissioner Erika Steiner said there are three major categories that come up all the time: permitting, traffic, and the general appearance of the island being a problem for tourism and businesses. “Under recovery, we should address that, it’s important. The Planning Commission subcommittee has reviewed permitting; there may be a disconnect there.” From the time an application is completed to approval may be short, but from the time an application is submitted to when it becomes a completed application is very long.
Councilmember John Henshaw said people come and tell council members where they see problems. “We need everybody on the island to get the job done. We’re only a few.”
At the end of the workshop, Mayor Richard Johnson said, “I am encouraged by what we’ve done today and would very much like to see us continue to work for ways for people to get back in their homes, to build new homes whether it be a vacant property or a property that has had a demolition, and then also enable our businesses to get back in operation. I want to make sure we are doing this as expediently as we possibly can.”
There will possibly be another joint workshop in March.
More SC coverage from the joint Sanibel City Council and Planning Commission workshop on Feb. 18:
• Public Has Much to Say at City Workshop
• Dealing With Distressed and Dangerous Properties
• Developed Areas, Fill Question Going To Planning Commission
Lots of talk. NO ACTION There should be 2 lanes on in the AM and 2 lanes off in the PM. Think of all the time and energy lost. No one in this city government seems to care. Its painfully obvious there is a solvable problem. Need a leader who gets it done. This is problem #1