Revised Ordinance Allowing Boat Lift Covers Heads to Council

The Marco Island Planning Board assembled for the month of April’s only scheduled meeting to take on an extremely light agenda. In doing so, the board completed its work on the long awaited “dock and lift canopy cover” ordinance changes.

The Marco Island Code of Ordinances, Section 54-116 prohibits “the construction of new boathouses, boat covers, gazebos or similar covered structures.” 

Late in 2021, residents came before city council asking them to allow the use of a canopy device (“boat lift cover”) to protect their marine craft from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Approximately three dozen residents came out in support of their cause. They found that council was sympathetic to their suggestions and sent the issue to the Planning Board for consideration.

The Planning Board initially had given a thumbs up to the canopy concept, but many were confused when city staff brought back a recommendation for rejection and maintaining the status quo. That would draw a huge crowd to the subsequent council meeting, where council rejected staffs’ recommendation, and directed them to adjust the verbiage in the present ordinance.

On April 1, the Planning Board received newly-crafted verbiage adjusting the language in the current ordinance. The change will allow the use of the protective canopies, in addition to other designs, to protect marine craft.

The amended ordinance will soon be forwarded to city council for final approval.

The Planning Board also approved a plan to remedy a potential problem arising from the recent approval of a boat dock layout at 911 Ruby Court that unintentionally impacted an adjacent home at 179 Copperfield Court. The neighbors and city staff agreed upon the proposed remedy to the issue, which was approved by the Planning Board.

The Marco Island Planning Board will meet next at 9 AM on May 6, in the Community Room in Police Department Headquarters. The public is welcomed to attend.