Planning Board Meets New Senior Planner

The Marco Island Planning Board’s June 3 meeting began with Chairman Jason Bailey’s introduction of Travis Kendall, the city’s new senior planner. 

Kendall has 21 years’ experience, including 16 years in planning and zoning. Kendall replaces Mary Holden, who left her position to relocate. In recent months, the city’s planning staff has undergone several other personnel losses.

During citizen communications, Edward Issler stated his opinion on the importance of the Planning Board members’ positions. Issler reiterated the board’s responsibilities as it related to specific issues affecting the city, such as the recent approval of a variance petition for a new restaurant in Old Marco. Area residents had voiced concerns that the variance would potentially increase parking and traffic issues. The Planning Board approved the variance with a 7-0 vote, even though it did not adhere to the Land Development Code and lacked other zoning requirements.

When the variance proposal was presented to the Marco Island City Council, councilors soundly rejected it by a 6-1 vote. In support of its decision, council cited the lack of a good traffic safety analysis, as well as the concerns of area residents. On this matter, Issler opined that the Planning Board relied too heavily on city staff, and that the board did not conduct adequate research to ensure proper oversight.

The next matter presented was a request by a resident of the Tropical Isle Condominiums at 845 Collier Court for a Resolution to allow a vessel to protrude in the waterway by an additional 10 feet beyond the 30-foot limit. 

After reading the Resolution and the subsequent staff report, the board had many questions, including whether the applicant was asking for the boat to protrude into the waterway or to construct an entirely new dockage facility.

The board questioned the impact of the boat extending 10 additional feet on the waterway’s navigability. The board also inquired as to the dock’s ownership, as many condominium associations require property owners to petition to use dock facilities, which may be common elements of the condominium. 

The Planning Board tabled the matter and requested that staff place it on the July agenda so that the petitioner and a representative from the condominium association could be present to provide additional information and answer questions.

The Planning Board heard a request to rebuild a screen enclosure at property located at 82 North Barfield Drive. The property owner’s representative explained that the original screen enclosure was built four feet off the seawall; the current requirement is 10 feet. The old screen enclosure was destroyed by Hurricane Wilma and not replaced by the prior owner. The property’s new owner would like to reconstruct the screen enclosure to provide a safe environment for his grandchildren. The request to reconstruct the screen enclosure with the original four-foot set back was approved.

The Marco Island Planning Board’s next meeting is on July 1 at 9 AM in Council Chambers.