FR EE LPA Approves TPI-FMB Application Downtown Proposal Passes 5 to 2
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FortMyersBeach.news FREE Volume 18, Number 7 By Islanders, For Islanders Fort Myers Beach, Florida February 16th, 2018 LPA Approves TPI-FMB Application Downtown Proposal Passes 5 to 2 After years on the drawing Spikowski and Town Community board, three different plan versions, Development Director Jason and more conversation and Green, then Public Comment. After conjecture than even the “Coconut a 30-minute lunch break, the LPA Telegraph” could process, the TPI- reconvened for questions, comments FMB Downtown Redevelopment and review before voting. Plan finally had its first Public Council Chambers filled Hearing before the Local Planning early for the meeting, with overflow Agency (LPA) in Town Hall on capacity provided in a tent outside Tuesday, February 13. After almost Town Hall. eight hours of presentations, Public TPI-FMB principal Tom Comment and LPA questions and Torgerson spoke first, with surprising suggestions, the panel approved the emotion. “Through all this time, TPI-FMB proposal by a 5 to 2 vote, this is the first time I have spoken with it now moving forward to Town in public,” he said, fighting back Council for the final determination. tears. “My business partner, John LPA Chair Hank Zumba, Dammerman, and I are residents along with Megan Heil, Dan Hughes, of Fort Myers Beach, and together Jane Plummer and Scott Safford would like to do good for this voted Yes, while Vice-Chair Dan community, by revitalizing the area at Hendrickson and Lorrie Wolf cast the base of the Sky Bridge in a win- No votes. The LPA will not officially win outcome. We would like nothing approve these Meeting Minutes until more than a favorable vote, so its March 13 session, meaning the members of the community can say, final matter will not go to Council ‘This is the project and these are the until some point after that. people we can trust, and now is the The hearing began with a time.’ I have done over 50 projects in TPI-FMB presentation, followed by my career, and have spoken at every reports from Town Consultant Bill one, and have never Tom Torgerson emotionally addresses the LPA before an overflow crowd. Cont’d pg.6 The Golden Coconut SCI Visioning Workshop Beach Kids Foundation Overflow Crowd Jams Honors Jenny Fraley Planning Session Roughly 100 people over- including developers. The Foundation for Lee School students and staff on Friday flowed the San Carlos Island (SCI) As participants entered the County Public Schools annually morning, February 9. presents its Golden Apple Award “This year’s recipient does Visioning Workshop hosted by the workshop, they received color-cod- to recognize and reward teaching not yet know she won,” Linda told Lee County Planning Department ed nametags and a questionnaire excellence. The Beach Kids the children at the beginning of the on Saturday Morning, February 10, that asked the following: What at- Foundation of Fort Myers Beach ceremony. “Lee County has their at the AMI Kids Center at 1190 Main tracts you to SCI? What makes it does the same for Beach Elementary Golden Apple, and we love our Street. There were 13 Lee Coun- unique from the rest of Lee Coun- School instructors with its annual Beach School teachers so much, ty Development Department staff ty? What does SCI contribute to Golden Coconut Award, this year we wanted to give something to members on-hand, to provide an Lee County? How do you see SCI honoring 4th Grade teacher Jenny them for all the work they do. Since overview, lead small group discus- evolving over the next 10 years? Fraley! Linda Beasley, the new we are an island, we came up with sions, and a final suggestion finding What would bring positive or neg- Beach Kids Foundation President, a coconut, so the Golden Coconut session. The Visioning Workshop ative changes? What type of de- who took over for founder and was born.” Linda then introduced was open to San Carlos Island resi- velopment if any would benefit SCI recently-retired Fran Myers, made Fran, who made two check dents, as well as the general public, and where would the announcement before a packed presentations. “Your teachers do Cont’d pg.19 auditorium of Beach Elementary so much for you,” Cont’d pg.11 EITA Meets TPI-FMB Taxpayer Association Hosts Development Team Tom Torgerson and his 8-hour session. Two hours TPI-FMB team had a busy day later, they were the speakers on Tuesday, February 13! at the February Estero Island That morning, after years Taxpayers Association (EITA) of planning, three different meeting at the First Baptist development designs, and Church before roughly 50 people months of discussion with and a live-stream audience. community members and Town “When I agreed a few Staff, they finally had their long- weeks back to speak this awaited first public hearing evening, I didn’t really give it for their TPI-FMB Downtown much thought,” Tom said, smiling Redevelopment Plan before the at the memory. “Then, when Local Planning Agency (LPA), I later told my wife, Mari said, ultimately receiving approval ‘you realize what day that is?’ It by a 5 to 2 vote after an almost took me a minute An overflow crowd attended the San Carlos Island Visioning Workshop Cont’d pg.14 hosted by Lee County. Photos by Gary Mooney. Page 2 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news February 16th, 2018 LET US BE YOUR CATCH OF THE DAY MATANZAS ON THE BAY has that special flavor that epitomizes Southwest Florida’s lifestyle and cuisine – from new menu offerings including fresh seafood to live entertainment and scenic waterfront views! This is the best place to enjoy all that Southwest Florida has to offer, just ask the locals! n Free Boat Dockage n Happy Hour Everyday n Indoor & Outdoor Seating n Live Music Daily n Call Ahead Seating Available n Upstairs Sports Bar Private Event Packages! www.MatanzasOnTheBay.com RESTAURANT • INN • MARINA 416 Crescent Street, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 CALL FOR WATERFRONT ACCOMMODATIONS (239) 463-9258 February 16th, 2018 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 3 LETTERS to the EDITOR STRAWS & Shelling Cruise, FOLKS (Friends of Lovers Key), One Flight Up Salon, Lagerhead Cycle Boats, Times Square Pete’s Time Out, I am disappointed that the town council, in crafting the plastic Beach Theatre, Dolphin Inn, Truly Scrumptious , Palmetto, Leoni’s, straw ban, apparently did not consider the burden that has been Beach Bubbles, #1 nails and spa Island Fit, Sun Hardware, Shear placed on our town folk that may have been heavily invested in Class Salon, South Beach Grille, Edward Jones, Gifts By The Sea, plastic straws. At the very least included in the ordinance should Skye’s Mexican &More, The Islander, Castaways , Sandbar and have been some sort of buy back program where the town would Individual donors: Tim Bloch, Anita Cereceda, Kelly Leary, Joanne offer to buy back the now outlawed straws in possession of the citi- Shamp, Tom & Mari Torgerson, Pat & Ellen Vaughan. zens to allow them to purchase legal paper straws. This would go a Many and great thanks to our island community! long way towards combating the illegal black market trade in plastic straws this ordinance is sure to spawn. In addition, in the interest Ellen Vaughan of public health, a “clean straw” exchange program should have Friends of the Mound House at least been set up to provide for the under served and addicted members of our community so that they aren’t scrounging on the ground for littered and used plastic or paper straws. For heaven’s sake where is this council’s humanity? Kirk Whitacre Fort Myers Beach MOUND HOUSE FRIENDS Friends of the Mound House sends a loud shout-out thank you to all the Fort Myers Beach residents, neighbors, and visitors who support our fund raising efforts. Our February 10th luncheon and silent auction was a grand success. Eighty attendees enjoyed a delectable lunch prepared and presented by the skilled South Beach Grille staff while biding on a wide array of silent auction items. The Friends netted in excess of $6,000 which will support Mound House Programming. The event was a sound first step toward the Friends 2018 goal: raise $25,000 for the Mound House. The next step in our fund raising plan is a live auction with a focus on art and more unique items. Tickets for the strolling dinner (aka hardy hors d’oeuvres) at the Women’s Club on Friday March 23rd are $75 per person. Specific details to come. The Friends would like to acknowledge the generous contrib- utors to our Silent and Live Auction donors— Businesses: Key West Express Ferry, Publix’s, Sunset Beach Tropical Grill, Good Time Charters, Salty Crab bar & grill, Charley’s Boathouse Grill, Florida Photo by Carol Figura Reparatory Theatre, Pure Florida Gulf cruises, Island Time Dolphin Page 4 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news February 16th, 2018 Beach Botany Guest Commentary: The Time is Now by Jim Rodwell My name is John Lallo, My wife Debbie a better place for all. and I have owned the property at 1005 Estero Now you might not know this but Tom Blvd, Ft Myers Beach, FL since 1990. We also doesn’t own TPI. Tom did own it at one time are the owners of J.D.Lallo Inc./dba/Pete’s Time but decided to turn over the business to his Out. employees under an ESOP. That’s right, Tom Debbie and I have heavily invested works for his employees and the proposed ourselves in our family-owned business back in development here would add another 500, to the 1990 by purchasing the business and property already 1800 employees to become Tom’s boss.