Planning Board Approves Revised Old Marco Restaurant Plan

The old proverb which states “the third time’s the charm” may well be what is required to have a proposed new restaurant in Old Marco to cross the finish line for the owners of a vacant lot located at 1202 Bald Eagle Drive. That lot had previously been home to the Marco Resort and Club which was sold for $4,250,000 in September of 2020 and now shows ownership under Marco Club LLC with an address of 7996 Barrancas Avenue, Bokeelia, Florida.

The Planning Board on Friday, December 2nd would hear from representatives of the Marco Club LLC with a revised Site Development Plan (SDP) for the proposed new three-story restaurant. Marco Club LLC had previously requested a mediation of the city council’s rejection of their plan for a 268-seat restaurant on that site.

In May of 2022, the Marco Island City Council rejected an off-site agreement for shared parking with properties located at 1117, 1121 and 1123 Bald Eagle Drive (the site of the Marek’s Bar and Bistro). That property shows ownership by 1121 Bald Eagle Drive LLC out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The off-site agreement would have allowed the new owners at 1202 Bald Eagle Drive the ability to build a multi-story restaurant/bar with a capacity for 268 seats. 

On Tuesday, October 18th a mediation hearing was held in City Council Chambers at the request of the Marco Club LLC. The discussions on that day failed to reach any acceptable compromises on the matter and further discussions were to be held. Those further discussions were postponed, and the petitioners would come back to the city with an alternative plan to reduce the seating arrangement to a total of 168, versus the original 268 seats with the same footprint for the proposed building layout.

The site development plan is for a 7,480 square foot restaurant with 168 seats. The 37 and a half foot building will also have 37 parking spaces plus five onsite boat slips. Of the 37 automobile parking spaces provided, 12 spaces will be provided off-site across Lee Avenue (Lee Avenue is the roadway which runs into the Snook Inn property) at the end of Bald Eagle Drive. Section 30-484 of the City Codes allows for off-street parking on lots under the same ownership, as long as the lot is contiguous and not separated by an arterial or collector road (Lee Avenue is not a collector. Based on the 168 seats proposed, 42 vehicle parking spaces would be required. However, the applicant has provided five boat slips, a bike rack/bench, and recycling receptacle for which six credit are applied providing the petitioner with the necessary 42 parking spaces)

Luigi Carvelli from the Snook Inn Restaurant which abuts the proposed new facility would rise to oppose those plans based upon safety and traffic flow issues. He would point out the lack of consideration for employee parking. “These numbers fail to point out any considerations regarding where employees will park,” said Carvelli.

Michelle Pyle, a resident of the neighborhood, would also point out the already intolerable parking and safety issues being thrust upon local residents of the neighborhood. “This isn’t about a restaurant, it’s about safety which should be paramount in these considerations,” said Pyle after the meeting.

David Hyle from the Riverside Club would testify as to the situation regarding the traffic flow and safety issues. “Parking in this area is horrendous and is compounded by lack of enforcement. The street needs to be reengineered by the city before more intensity is added, if at all,” said Hyle before the meeting and during public comment. 

After more discussions between board members a motion was made by Nanette Rivera and seconded by David Vergo to approve staff’s recommendation to approve. It was passed by a 5-2 vote with only Board Members Nanette Finkle and Hayden Dublois opposed to approval.

An appeal of that vote may be going to City Council by adjoining property owners who felt enough consideration was not given to safety issues concerning the issues brought up. Those wishing to do so have 30 days to request such a hearing.