by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
At its November 10, 2026 meeting, the Sanibel Planning Commission considered an application for a variance to allow a dock and boat lifts to extend farther than 15 feet waterward past the mangrove roots and more than 33 percent of the width of the waterway, and to allow a dock and boat lift with a reduced setback from the east lot line at 5750 Sanibel Captiva Road.
Raychel A. Thomas with Pavese Law Firm submitted the application on behalf of George Erik Jobson and Maria Teresa Jobson (the property owners).
This application requests two variances: (1) to allow a boat lift to be installed more than 15 feet waterward of the mangrove roots and more than 33 percent of the canal width, and (2) to allow installation of a dock and boat lifts less than the required side yard setback for structures not placed equidistant from lot lines.
Even before discussion began, neighbors emailed their objections to the City.
From Jason Cohen: I understand the property owner’s right to have a dock and enjoy access to the water. However, we have concerns about the proposed size and placement of the dock, especially the plans to accommodate two boat lifts in a very narrow canal. Additionally, we have serious concerns about the width between the neighbor’s dock and the new proposed dock. Our primary concern is safety. The canal already requires careful navigation, and a dock of this size could significantly restrict the space available for boats to safely enter and exit. We want to ensure that the City carefully considers the impact on neighboring property owners and their ability to navigate the canal without unnecessary risk. To my knowledge, no other property owner on our canal has two boat lifts. We believe the proposed dock should be consistent with the surrounding properties and positioned in a way that maintains safe and reasonable navigation for everyone.
From Chris Prestigiacomo: My wife and I certainly support the property owner’s right to have a dock and enjoy access to the water, just as the rest of us do. However, we have concerns about the proposed size and placement of the dock, particularly the plans to accommodate two boats. …To my knowledge, no other property owner on our canal has two boat lifts. We believe the proposed dock should be consistent with the surrounding properties and positioned in a way that maintains safe and reasonable navigation for everyone. We are not opposed to a new dock, but we would ask the City to carefully evaluate its size, placement, and impact on navigation before approving the plans. The canal is already very narrow and can be difficult to maneuver.
From Louis Kahn: What I do know is that 15 feet waterward past the roots of the mangroves (which appeared to be the city’s standard when I applied for a dock and boat lift a few years ago) seems an appropriate distance for a dock and single boat lift for a less than colossal boat. To request permission for more than a single boat lift (side by side?) and for extension to “more than 33 percent of the waterway” is an obvious attempt to settle for something greater than the standard but still of inappropriate size. With the growth of the mangroves, safely transiting the canal would be difficult with construction blocking more than a third of the canal’s width.
Planning Commissioners had questions, too.
“I can’t support this at all,” said Commissioner Ken Colter. “It’s going to impact the neighbors and the safety of the canal.”
“All of the docks are parallel,” Commissioner Larry Schopp said. ‘This one is perpendicular, going farther into the canal. And they’re asking for two lifts when nobody else has two lifts.”
Sanibel features an extensive ecosystem where private docks sit directly alongside dense mangrove shorelines. Under local city ordinances and Florida laws, mangroves are heavily protected. New or replacement residential docks on the island must be carefully planned around existing mangrove fringes. Without a permit, just 25 percent of a mangrove’s leaf area can be trimmed.
Dana Dettmar, the City’s Environmental Biologist, said in her report that “a dense mangrove fringe is present along the shoreline of the subject property. The applicant proposes to use a natural opening within the mangrove fringe, which avoids mangrove impacts related to the access walkway. Aside from minor trimming, the applicant has indicated that the location of the terminal platforms and boat lifts will not result in mangrove alterations (i.e., destruction, defoliation, or removal), and the City’s Natural Resources agrees with this assessment. If unanticipated or unauthorized impacts occur as a result of the project, mitigation will be assessed during the final inspection.”
The canal in question is privately owned. Neighbors have argued that, given the size of the mangrove shoreline and the proposed two-boat dock, navigation through the 20-foot-wide canal would be very difficult, if not unsafe.
Dettmar said the design allows for a 20-foot canal and mangroves. Commissioner Kate Sergeant said, “This is the best option.”
Colter said, “We’re giving more [consideration] to the mangroves than the neighbors’ rights. The neighbors should count more.”
“Is this the minimum they could do?” asked Commissioner Erika Steiner.
Seeking revisions to the design before they could approve it, the Commission voted unanimously to continue the hearing to the December 15, 2026, Planning Commission meeting.
The applicant agreed to have a revised design ready by that date.
Attorney John Agnew suggested the Planning Commission might consider a Code amendment because more than 20 variance applications for docks have been submitted over the last seven years.