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2 days ago

Anchorage committee outlines guardrails for water taxis and ferries, sets joint May meeting with Murph The committee agreed on a framework for water taxi and ferry recommendations—including licensing, capacity limits and environmental safeguards—and will meet jointly with Murph on May 13 to finalize two priority recommendations for each service type.

Anchorage is setting the stage for water taxis and ferries with new guidelines that prioritize safety, capacity, and environmental protection—will these changes reshape local transport?

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1 week ago

Murph committee to draft environmental guidance for a potential water taxi or ferry; joint meeting set for May 13 The Murph committee will work with the Anchorage advisory committee to develop environmental guidance and wants/needs for a possible ferry, shuttle or water-taxi service; chair suggested contacting a seasonal operator from Ocean City, Md.

The Murph advisory committee is gearing up to revolutionize water transportation in Fort Myers Beach with plans for a ferry, shuttle, or water-taxi service—could this be the start of a new era for our waterways?

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1 week ago

Residents, committee members urge action after helicopters and barges disturb osprey and wildlife Committee members raised alarms about frequent low-flying helicopters and barges near critical wildlife areas, describing spooked osprey nests and urging follow-up with FWC and operators; staff said state partners are investigating.

Low-flying helicopters and contractor barges are wreaking havoc on critical wildlife areas, leaving local residents demanding immediate action to protect nesting birds and other endangered species.

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1 week ago

Town staff: collapsing algal bloom and low oxygen likely behind Buccaneer Lagoon fish kills; education planned Town staff told the Murph advisory committee that tests show a collapsing algal bloom and extremely low dissolved oxygen in Buccaneer Lagoon; officials plan outreach to condo owners and landscapers and will send samples to Florida Fish and Wildlife for further analysis.

A troubling algal bloom in Buccaneer Lagoon is linked to alarming fish kills, prompting town officials to take action for community education and environmental protection.

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1 week ago

Fort Myers Beach sends smoking-and-vaping-in-parks ordinance to May 4 second reading after public comment on litter and health At first reading the council heard legal and policy staff explain proposed ordinance 26-067 to prohibit smoking and vaping in town parks and county parks/beaches within town boundaries; public commenters emphasized litter and public‑health benefits, officials discussed enforcement and possible carve-outs for unfiltered cigars, and the council voted unanimously to schedule a second reading on May 4.

Fort Myers Beach is taking a bold step towards cleaner parks and beaches by proposing a ban on smoking and vaping—will this change help protect public health and the environment?

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1 week ago

Lee County property appraiser: taxable values likely flat for 2026 as 'just value' slips Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell told the Fort Myers Beach Council the county’s 2026 tax roll shows a slight drop in market ('just') value but that taxable assessed value will be essentially flat because of homestead and non‑homestead assessment caps; he outlined the timeline for draft and official numbers and urged homeowners to consider private appraisals for major rebuild decisions.

Lee County's property appraiser reveals that while market values are slipping, your taxable assessments will remain steady—find out how this impacts your property!

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1 month ago

Fort Myers Beach to consider smoking-and-vaping ordinance for parks and beach access areas Town staff outlined a draft ordinance to ban smoking and vaping in certain public parks and beach access areas consistent with the Florida Clean Air Act’s carve-out for beaches and parks; council asked staff to bring the draft back for first reading and public comment.

Fort Myers Beach is taking a bold step towards cleaner parks and beaches by drafting an ordinance to ban smoking and vaping in specific areas—could this be the change our environment needs?

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1 month ago

Fort Myers Beach committee seeks new role; explores neighborhood watch, CERT, call boxes and downtown barriers A joint meeting of Fort Myers Beach council and the Public Safety Committee aimed to redefine the committee’s purpose and pursue neighborhood-watch groups, a reconstituted CERT volunteer program, emergency call boxes and seasonal traffic/barricade options, with staff asked to return plans and funding options.

Fort Myers Beach is shaking things up with a plan to implement neighborhood watch programs and emergency response teams—are you ready to lend a hand in making your community safer?

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1 month ago

Mound House explores repairs, engineering review and fundraising to reopen underground exhibit Board members and public urged reopening the Mound House underground exhibit; staff said the exhibit has been aired and cleaned, a structural engineer will be consulted, and fundraising/sponsor options are being discussed to support repairs and updated visitor experiences.

The community is rallying to breathe new life into the Mound House’s underground exhibit, with innovative repair ideas and fundraising strategies on the table!

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#FortMyersBeachLeeCounty #FL #FortMyersBeachExhibits #CitizenPortal #CulturalRestoration #PublicEngagement

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1 month ago

Town staff explains Newton Park CDBG‑DR process as residents press for progress Town staff told the Mound House advisory board that Newton Park design work is advancing through CDBG‑DR procurement; staff said council approval to negotiate with a selected engineering firm is next and that fund release and county approvals lengthen the timeline.

Frustration grows as residents demand answers on the stalled Newton Park project, which is tangled in federal grant and procurement processes.

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1 month ago

Mound House board approves exhibit rearrangement to improve visitor flow The Mound House advisory board unanimously approved a plan to move timeline panels, the artifact case and donation stations to better orient visitors, after staff presented a detailed rearrangement meant to shorten tours and highlight the site's history.

The Mound House is transforming its exhibits to enhance visitor experience and showcase the rich history of Fort Myers Beach—big changes are on the way!

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1 month ago

Committee urges council to pursue funding and study for canal dredging after shoaling and navigation concerns Committee members highlighted extensive shoaling at the Buccaneer Lagoon entrance and other channels, called for temporary markers and public notices, and directed the chair to ask town council to pursue environmental study funding and multi‑phase dredging grants; staff estimated a study would cost roughly a couple $100,000.

Safety concerns are mounting as boaters risk grounding at the dangerously shallow entrance to Buccaneer Lagoon, prompting urgent calls for navigational warnings and funding for dredging solutions.

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2 months ago

Fort Myers Beach council hears officials: residential flood panels are not permitted under current guidance Technical staff and outside experts told the council that FEMA/FDEM guidance and Florida building code treat dry floodproofing attached to residential structures in V and coastal A zones as noncompliant; staff said five prior permits are being rescinded and the town will publish public guidance and require applicants to consult floodplain and building staff.

Fort Myers Beach officials are cracking down on residential flood panels, warning that their installation could jeopardize community insurance and compliance with critical safety standards.

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2 months ago

Fort Myers Beach advisory committee urges operator to relocate helicopter landing barge from Estero Bay nursery After more than a dozen residents raised wildlife, noise and property concerns about a floating helicopter-landing barge in Estero Bay, the Marine and Environmental Resource Task Force voted unanimously to ask the town to work with the operator to find a less intrusive site.

The Fort Myers Beach advisory committee has taken a stand for local wildlife, urging the relocation of a controversial helicopter landing barge that threatens dolphins, manatees, and community peace.

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3 months ago

Fort Myers Beach approves 0% SRF loan amendment to finance stormwater projects Council authorized Amendment No. 5 to an SRF loan to cover about $5 million for the Andrews site contract, roughly $2 million in additional stormwater projects and a $1.5 million contingency; finance director said repayments begin in 2029 and the loan carries 0% interest.

Fort Myers Beach has just approved a groundbreaking 0% interest loan to tackle crucial stormwater projects, ensuring better drainage and flood prevention for the community!

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4 months ago

Fort Myers Beach council unanimously approves land‑use changes, development agreement and dune‑related contracts The council unanimously approved a set of land‑use actions and administrative contracts Dec. 15, including a variance to restore an 8‑foot dune walkover, two CPD amendments allowing additional signage and outdoor alcohol consumption, adoption of a development agreement for Old San Carlos Boulevard, and contract changes to complete dune plantings and survey work.

Fort Myers Beach is making waves with unanimous council approvals for exciting new developments, including a beach walkover and outdoor alcohol consumption!

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4 months ago

FWC: Fort Myers Beach shorebird season ‘extremely successful’; staff proposes wider herbicide pretreatment FWC shorebird staff told the Fort Myers Beach advisory committee the 2025 nesting season was “extremely successful,” reporting snowy plovers hatched nine chicks (eight fledged) and Wilson's plovers fledged 10 chicks; staff proposed expanding pretreated areas to the colony’s historical footprint to reduce invasive vegetation and sand spurs.

Fort Myers Beach's shorebird nesting season has soared to success, with snowy plovers achieving a remarkable 100% hatch rate this year!

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4 months ago

Charter review panel debates mayor selection, role definition and removal process The Fort Myers Beach Charter Review Commission spent much of its Dec. 2 meeting debating whether the mayor should be selected by the council or elected by voters, how long the mayor should serve when no election occurs, and how removal or forfeiture should be handled; staff were asked to draft clarifying language for the next meeting.

The Fort Myers Beach Charter Review Commission is split on whether the mayor should be chosen by the council or directly elected, sparking a heated debate about accountability and stability in local governance.

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4 months ago

Magistrate: remove ground‑floor plumbing, submit revision after unpermitted work at 126 Anchorage At a Dec. 2 Fort Myers Beach code hearing, Special Magistrate Monica Schmecker ordered owners of 126 Anchorage to submit plumbing‑removal plans and complete required inspections after town staff found unpermitted enclosed walls and a ground‑floor bathroom that violate floodplain rules; owners were given a one‑week submission window and 30 days toward substantial compliance.

A Fort Myers Beach magistrate has ordered the owners of 126 Anchorage to fix unpermitted plumbing and submit plans, or risk fines and further enforcement actions.

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4 months ago

Fort Myers Beach council adopts amended comprehensive plan 2045 after joint LPA edits After a series of late edits agreed at a joint Local Planning Agency meeting, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council on Dec. 1 unanimously adopted Ordinance 24-10, updating the town's Comprehensive Plan 2045 with changes affecting public benefits, coastal conservation, housing and transportation policy.

Fort Myers Beach Town Council has officially adopted the revised Comprehensive Plan 2045, introducing significant changes that will shape the future of public benefits and coastal conservation.

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4 months ago

Anchorage Advisory Committee adopts objectives; members begin ferry and Mound House coordination The committee adopted three priorities — full mooring-field functionality, promotion/education and partnership with related projects — and discussed coordinating with the Arches development and the Freeland family on a required ferry service and Mound House docking options.

Big changes are coming to Anchorage as the Advisory Committee sets ambitious goals for a fully operational mooring field and explores exciting ferry services!

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4 months ago

Anchorage Advisory Committee urges education, better tracking as mooring-field use rises The Anchorage Advisory Committee heard a staff update showing increased anchorage use and two sunken vessels in removal, and it pressed for rental-operator education and more predictable enforcement of slow-speed and no-wake rules. Members emphasized outreach to rental companies and public education rather than primarily punitive measures.

The Anchorage Advisory Committee is tackling rising concerns over mooring safety and environmental risks, pushing for education over enforcement to protect our waters.

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4 months ago

Debate over marina policy shows split on whether to allow limited residential at Fort Myers Beach marinas Council members debated adding limited residential capacity to marina land‑use categories to keep marinas economically viable while others warned it would expand development rights; staff will return numeric options and caps for the Dec. 1 hearing.

Fort Myers Beach is at a crossroads as council members debate whether allowing limited residential options at marinas could threaten their future viability or expand development rights.

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4 months ago

Fort Myers Beach holds joint LPA/council review of proposed comprehensive plan; debates density, marinas and public‑benefit rules At a Nov. 25 joint meeting, Fort Myers Beach officials reviewed updates to the 2045 comprehensive plan. Debate centered on future land use rules — height metrics, marina density, accessory dwelling units and the definition of public benefits — and staff will return edits before a December vote.

Fort Myers Beach's town council is locked in a heated debate over the future of land use, including height restrictions and marina regulations, as they shape the crucial 2045 Comprehensive Plan.

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4 months ago

Mound House advisory board approves collections management policy, sends it to town council The CELCAB advisory board voted unanimously to approve a detailed collections management policy and send it to the town council, endorsed the town employee Brianna Vaquero as the museum registrar/collections manager, and reviewed funding from the Friends of the Mound House to support programming and conservation work.

The Mound House museum is taking significant steps to preserve its historical treasures with a newly approved collections management policy, ensuring the integrity of its artifacts for future generations.

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4 months ago

Town awards pool design to Fort Myers firm; staff say $5 million in HUD/CDBG-DR funds available, interviews ahead Staff notified the advisory board that the pool design contract was awarded to Opulent Outlines LLC and that HUD/CDBG-DR procurement rules require a selection committee and two interviews; staff said roughly $5 million is available for the project but the design will determine final construction costs.

Exciting news for Bay Oaks! The design contract for a new pool has officially been awarded, sparking plans for a project that could redefine our community space.

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5 months ago

Town staff warns of stepped-up lighting reviews as sea turtle disorientations persist; major renourishment totals reported Town staff told the Marine and Environmental Resource Committee it will more closely review exterior lighting visible from the beach under existing sea‑turtle conservation and lighting codes; staff also reported 113 loggerhead nests in 2025, 5,465 live hatchlings, 29 nests disoriented by lights, and a beach renourishment placement of 927,448 cubic 

Town staff is ramping up reviews of beach-visible lighting to combat sea turtle disorientations, as new data reveals both successes and challenges in nesting outcomes.

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5 months ago

LPA approves special exception for 8‑ft, 110‑ft boardwalk at Beach Access 41; width variance heads to council after 5–1 vote The LPA approved a special exception to replace a pre‑storm elevated boardwalk at Beach Access 41 (252 Estero Boulevard) and voted 5–1 to grant a variance to increase width from the 6‑ft code maximum to 8 ft; because the variance vote was not unanimous, the variance will proceed to town council for final action.

The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency has taken a bold step by approving an 8-foot-wide boardwalk at Beach Access 41, but a crucial variance vote now heads to the town council for final approval!

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5 months ago

Fort Myers Beach and Lee County School District explore deal: town offers lease of historic campus while requesting ~$12M toward a new resilient school At a Chapter 164 conflict‑assessment hearing, Fort Myers Beach leaders pressed the Lee County School District to honor an interlocal agreement to reopen Fort Myers Beach Elementary on its original site; the district cited repeated storm damage, reduced island residency and high per‑pupil costs. After public comment, the town proposed leasing the 80

Fort Myers Beach officials are fighting to save their beloved elementary school from demolition, emphasizing its role as a vital community symbol of resilience after years of hurricane damage.

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5 months ago

Votes at a glance: council approves redevelopment, code tweak, audit, meters and permits On Nov. 3 the Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted unanimously on several items: adoption of Ordinance 25‑17 (First/Beach Baptist redevelopment), adoption of Ordinance 25‑18 (expedited LPA hearing for like‑for‑like special exceptions), acceptance of the FY2024 audit, approval of a cellular water‑meter amendment, approval of a special‑event noise‑wa

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council made significant strides on Nov. 3, approving a groundbreaking redevelopment plan and streamlining post-disaster recovery efforts in a unanimous vote!

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