by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Sanibel Marina, located at 634 North Yachtsman Drive, will be allowed to dredge for motorized boat access. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the application submitted by Bayside Dredging LLC on behalf of the property owner, Acme Sanibel FL LLC.
Approximately 2,259 cubic yards of sediment will be removed from an approximately 27,853-square-foot area to achieve a depth of -5.0 feet below mean low water.
The subject property is adjacent to privately owned canals in the established neighborhood of Sanibel Estates. The private canals intersect with public canals that serve Shell Harbor and Anchors Aweigh and Sanibel Estates neighborhoods. The existing marina is located within a Special Use District, which permits a marina dock and mooring area for up to 72 boats (up to 65 feet in length), among other ancillary uses.
One of the recommended conditions of approval of the dredge permit requires a final inspection to verify the dock and mooring area accommodates no more than 72 boats and that none of the vessels exceed 65 feet in length. Staff noted that the Sanibel Marina website currently advertises slips for vessels up to 80 feet in length. One of the imposed conditions states that “all advertisements for services on the Sanibel Marina website shall be consistent with the required conditions of the Special Use District or otherwise be removed promptly.”
To change the 65-foot limitation to include 80-foot vessels would require an amendment to the Sanibel Plan. At this time, vessels exceeding 65 feet would be subject to Code Enforcement.
In response to a query from Commissioner Lyman Welch, Deputy Planning Director Craig Chandler explained, “The applicant has a separate application with the Planning Department to add boat lifts. That’s a separate permit and not part of this scope of work.” That will be a short-form application, he added.
“I think this is wonderful,” said Commissioner Ken Coulter. “We only have one marina.”
The Planning Commission approval is subject to seven conditions, all of which the applicant agreed to:
1. Dredge materials shall be removed and hauled to an off-island location. Dredged materials may not be retained anywhere on the subject property except for temporary storage prior to permanent removal.
2. A sediment control plan, including turbidity monitoring, shall be installed and maintained through construction.
3. A final inspection is required to verify compliance with limitations on the number and size of vessels prior to issuance of a Certificate of Completion. All advertisements for services on the Sanibel Marina website shall be consistent with the required conditions of the Special Use District or otherwise be removed promptly.
4. The applicant shall obtain any approvals required from other governmental agencies, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and United States Army Corp of Engineers, prior to commencement.
5. No mangrove trimming/alterations shall be authorized under the Development Permit without approval from Natural Resources. Any future trimming to maintain dock access or views of the water requires a separate annual mangrove trimming permit. If unanticipated impacts occur as a result of the project, mitigation may be assessed during the final inspection.
6. All Brazilian pepper, melaleuca, earleaf acacia, air potato, java plum, exotic inkberry, lead tree, and mother-in-law’s tongue shall be removed from the lot, and the site is to be kept permanently free of these exotics.
7. Conditions contained herein are in addition to the requirements of the Sanibel Code. The applicant is required to comply with all regulations of the City of Sanibel. Some conditions stated herein reflect the current code requirements applicable at the time of approval of this permit. After the issuance of the completion certificate for this development or upon expiration of the development permit, any subsequent development must comply with the regulations in effect at that time.
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