by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Sanibel City Council established two steering committees in July 2025 – the Sanibel Plan Update Steering Committee and the Transportation Master Plan Steering Committee.
The City was awarded a grant in April 2024 to update the Sanibel Plan and develop a Transportation Master Plan. They have put out a request for proposals to solicit consultants.
The two newly formed committees held their first meetings on August 20, 2025, without the consultants. They elected officers and approved the 2025-2026 meeting dates. The meetings are open to the public, and there will be an opportunity for public comment.
Planning Director Paula McMichael is the designated liaison for the Sanibel Plan committee, and Deputy Planning Director Craig Chandler is the liaison for the Transportation committee.
Calli Johnson DuPont was elected Chair of the Sanibel Plan Update Steering Committee, and Eric Pfeifer was elected Vice Chair. Meeting dates for 2025 are September 17, October 15, November 19, and December 17, all at 9:00 a.m. at MacKenzie Hall. The committee will meet monthly through December 2026.
Bill Millar was elected Chair of the Transportation Master Plan Steering Committee, and Pasquale Russo was elected Vice Chair. Meeting dates for 2025 are all at 1:30 p.m. in MacKenzie Hall – September 17, October 15, November 19, and December 17. This committee, too, will meet monthly through December 2026.
The recommendations that these committees ultimately make will have to go before the Planning Commission, then to City Council, then to the State of Florida to ensure compliance with statute, and then back to City Council.