Make your Voice Heard and Help Protect Captiva

Urge Lee County Commissioners to say NO to increased density disguised as resiliency

The Issue

In June 2023, less than a year after Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, Lee County Commissioners proposed a plan that would radically change development limitations on Captiva. The proposal, supported by Timbers Resorts, which operates the resort on South Seas, would increase building heights on Captiva while opening the door for increased density and hundreds of additional hotel rooms on South Seas.

This proposal has near-universal opposition from local residents, who recognize the detrimental impact these changes would have on local infrastructure and traffic, evacuations, emergency services, and the environment. That’s why we are urging Lee County Commissioners to stand with local residents rather than developers and vote NO on this proposal.

The DeSantis Administration called out this shortsighted proposal as a “false flag” of resiliency. The reality is that, rather than strengthening resiliency, this proposal will only further strain local resources and reward a single property owner.

We urge you to join us and take action as we work to protect the character, integrity and safety of our barrier island. We must Protect Captiva.

Four Key Problems with This Proposal

The proposed amendments increase building height and open the door for hundreds of new hotel rooms on Captiva Island.

The Lee Comprehensive Plan amendments would increase allowable building heights from 2 stories to 3 stories above federal flood elevation standards, and up to 7 stories on South Seas. They also allow increased hotel density on South Seas – which could lead to hundreds of additional hotel rooms on the small island.

The proposed amendments jeopardize public safety and hinder evacuation efforts.

Evacuation routes were already stretched to the limit during Hurricane Ian. These new amendments are being proposed without any analysis of their impact on infrastructure, traffic, evacuation routes, and the environment, seemingly in violation of Florida’s Community Planning Act.

The proposed amendments are unnecessary to rebuild after Hurricane Ian.

Hurricane Ian left its tragic mark on our community, and many are still in the process of rebuilding their homes, businesses and livelihoods. Current ordinances already allow property owners to restore structures to their pre-Hurricane Ian size in compliance with updated federal flood elevation standards.

The proposed amendments benefit only one property owner – Timbers Resorts.

The increased hotel density provisions benefit only Timbers Resorts to the detriment of all other Captiva residents. The amendments would allow South Seas to have taller buildings than anyone else – up to seven stories above federal base flood elevation. The amendments also exempt South Seas from hotel density limits, meaning potentially hundreds of new hotel rooms.

Take Action

Mark your calendars for November 30 at 9:00am

Address:
Florida Southwestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, 33919, in the Nursing Building, Room AA-177.

The Lee County Legislative Delegation plans to discuss a local bill to create a Captiva Island Conservation Area to protect and maintain Captiva’s current building heights and density.

More Information on Delegation Meeting

Mark your calendars for December 6 at 9:30am

Address:
Board Chambers, 2120 Main Street in Downtown Fort Myers.

The Lee County Commission plans to discuss and vote on the proposed amendments.
Join us in voicing your opposition at the meeting.

Contact your County Commissioner
Now is the time to voice your concerns and opposition to your county representative through phone or email. Find your commissioner’s contact information here.

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About Our Coalition

The Protect Captiva Coalition was established in June 2023 by concerned citizens and organizations in opposition to increasing building height and density and opening the door for hundreds of new hotel rooms on Captiva Island. Our coalition includes more than 13,000 residents, organizations, and other individuals who are opposed to this shortsighted plan that will forever change the character and safety of Captiva.