Plan Updates, Sidewalks and Seawalls Dominate Planning Discussions

The Marco Island Planning Board dispatched several light issues before diving into the contentious issue of seawall construction and the disruption to neighborhoods around the island. However, before they dealt with that issue, they first heard from Daniel Smith, the city’s Director of Community Affairs, and Mary Holden the Senior Planner for the city. 

Both updated the board on the progress being made to bring onboard FGCU as the city’s contracted consultant to work with staff and the board as they create an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The plan itself is over 10 years old now and is due to an update. 

The board held a more in-depth discussion regarding that project when they discussed a proposed “white paper” that board member Joe Rola was in the process of formulating. Another board member, Ed Issler, also indicated his desire to present a similar paper on his views regarding certain aspects regarding zoning. 

Board member David Vergo reminded members that the vision which was originally held by the Mackle Brothers had long ago gone by the wayside from when it was proposed over 50 years ago. Smith also commented that the future that laid ahead was more important to plan for, and that should be the focus. 

Proposed Parking Changes to Bald Eagle Questioned 

Bob Gloodt, a resident of Vernon Ct. in Old Marco, came forward to question why the city was looking at doing a project on Bald Eagle Drive that would extend from Pier 81 in a northerly direction to Palm Street. He complained that the project would effectively remove 90% of the greenspace found along both sides of Bald Eagle to have it paved over to provide for parking. 

The project he was referring to is a result of a long-discussed issue regarding parking which has impacted that area since the city changed the parking requirements for restaurants almost 6 years ago. The scope of work being proposed in 2020 will require the removal of trees which were planted on the west side of the street in that area and have them replanted elsewhere around the island. This would allow both sides of the street to have the swales reconfigured, improvements to drainage, updating of the water lines in that area, the installation of new 5-foot sidewalks, re-setting of the lighting fixtures and the installation of pervious pavers to allow for parking and appropriate run-off of stormwater. The existing pavement would also undergo a milling process and that material will be re-laid to provide a new surface to the roadway. 

The issue of parking in that specific area has become a bone of contention since the city changed the rules governing parking for restaurants. Prior to the 2010 change to the city ordinances by the Planning Board and City Council, a restaurant owner was required to have one parking space per every four (4) seats. With the change came the new calculation which only required one (1) parking space per every 200 sq. ft. of space. 

Although the board was sympathetic to his concerns, they advised Mr. Gloodt that the issue would be coming back before the council for approval in funding the project, which was part of the Ad Hoc Parking Committee’s overall recommendations and approved by the council last year. 

Seawall Issue Discussed 

Like the bad penny that continues to turn up, the divisive issue regarding the impact of seawall construction and the abuse of staging and construction permits was once again before a city committee. However, it appears this time a potential solution may be on the horizon. 

Board members were stunned when it appeared early on in the discussions that no representatives of that trade were present to plead their case. However, Steven Sokol, owner of Blue Marlin Marine Construction appeared shortly after those discussions began. 

Paul Winter, the owner of 1200 Orange Court, had come forward earlier in February at a council meeting to complain about the utilization of the lots near his residential home that are being used as a manufacturing site for the cement seawall panels. Those panels were being utilized at other construction sites around the island by that manufacturer and the truck traffic, dirt, noise and debris were a negative impact on that neighborhood. 

However, Sokol was able to answer a number of questions by board members, the most important of which lay in the cost impact if seawall manufacturing was done off–island, rather than on residential lots. Sokol replied that it would be a “wash,” and would have little or no impact on his pricing. Blue Marlin presently has its panels poured off-island by a manufacturer off U.S. 41, as do several other contractors. 

The issue of seawall construction is more complicated than just fabricating panels. As the empty lots on Marco are sold off, the availability of sites to store debris, barge in panels and other dock material are quickly evaporating. 

How to deal with that subject may be a more perplexing issue than the manufacturing of those panels themselves. City staff will come back to the board with suggested language to deal with the manufacturing of panels in residential neighborhoods, but expect a wider discussion on the other concerns in the future.