After hearing from 52 members of the public opposing the South Seas rezoning application, the resort will attempt to rebut the opposition’s testimony and exhibits on April 8. Captiva and Sanibel witnesses demonstrated that the increase in density from 272 to 628 units on the applicant’s property (causing a total increase from the allowable 912 units on the resort to 1268 units) — along with increased building heights — would violate the building limits of the Lee Plan, would worsen the crisis-level traffic congestion and threaten public safety during hurricane evacuations and medical emergencies, and would create untold environmental damage. The County, which supports the South Seas application, will present its rebuttal case immediately after the resort.
At the conclusion of the public testimony back on March 21, the Hearing Examiner stated that she would provide her own questions about the South Seas project which South Seas and the County should answer by April 8. The Hearing Examiner’s questions to South Seas and the County were provided by email to participants in the hearing, and they can be read here.
After South Seas and Lee County conclude their rebuttal case, the Hearing Examiner may take two to three months to issue a recommended decision to the Board of County Commissioners. The Commissioners will then decide to accept, reject or modify the recommendation during a public hearing. Public opposition to the South Seas rezoning application will not be heard again until it reaches the Board of County Commissioners sometime in the summer or fall. We will keep you advised of any proposed hearing dates.