Planning Board Approves Three Projects

Three separate projects came before the Planning Board at their August 2nd meeting. 

The County Tax Collector’s Building on Winterberry Drive is being rebuilt. A building permit to fix the damage from Hurricane Ian was requested in May 2023 but couldn’t be approved as the repairs exceeded the FEMA 50% threshold – the structure was deemed substantially damaged. The only remaining option was to tear down the old building. The new facility will provide the same services as before, with 24 parking spaces and ADA accessibility ramps for ease of entry. There is a temporary Tax Collector Office on Marco at 650 E. Elkcam Circle. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The site plan for the new structure was approved.

The YMCA of South Collier – Marco YMCA is asking for an amendment to the 2004 Site Development Plan.

Their proposal is to add a two-story, 16,815 sf. building, 30 ft. in height. The proposal also reconfigures the existing angle parking spaces from 45 degrees to 90 degrees, adding additional parking to meet parking code requirements. The plan as proposed shows an additional pickleball court, however, any expansion of pickleball or more intense activity other than Conditional Use Resolution 04-32 would require approval by the City Council as a conditional use. For the last several years, there has been a public desire for a “Senior Center” on the island and the YMCA has been working with community leaders, which led to this proposal. The new building proposal includes a senior center, multi-use activity rooms, a small café, restrooms and a reception area on the first floor. The second floor includes fitness rooms, meeting rooms, and locker rooms. An outdoor patio and garden area are proposed between the existing YMCA building and the proposed Active Life Center.

Staff recommended the Planning Board approve the Site Development Plan with the following conditions: 

1. Remove the pickleball court from the site plan. Any increase in intensity beyond the 2004 Conditional Use approval requires a new Conditional Use approval. 

2. Revise the site calculations (Impervious allowance) for the SDPA meeting Code to include only the Community Facility zoned property and approved Conditional Use per Resolution 04-32.

 3. Obtain an environmental survey prior to any site work to verify the presence of protected species or lack thereof. 

4. Vibratory compaction shall not be allowed within the right-of-way.

The Planning Board unanimously approved the presentation. It goes to City Council for their review and approval.

A rezone request came for property located at 531 S. Collier Boulevard at the corner of Wells Sawyer Way (north of Stonewall’s Restaurant). The property owned by Salute Properties, LLC/Carvelli Family is currently zoned C-1 Commercial and is requesting a C-3 Commercial designation – the same as the property just to the south of the current vacant land. They are proposing to merge the properties to allow for a better site proposal for a new restaurant. They have owned these same properties for a number of years and are now prepared to move forward. 

Neighbors came forward in support of the zoning request - the Neighborhood Information Meeting was held July 31st - understanding that they would have input on the next stage in the process which deals with the site development plans. Those plans will have to come before the Planning Board for approval.

The board unanimously approved staff recommendations and sent them to City Council for review and final approval.