Parking finally on Lee agenda
Lee County has posted the agenda for the next Board of County Commissioners meeting, on which there is an item to “Direct to Public Hearing Gasparilla Island Parking Ordinance Amendments.”
The item is number 43 on the administrative agenda for the 9:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday, April 1. It specifies that if voted through, commissioners would direct the amendments to a public hearing on April 15, 2025.
Among the changes would be to limit parking to two hours in a newly defined “downtown” Boca Grande, as well as an increase in signage and fines. Parking on the Gilchrist median would be limited from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. The synopsis reads:
Directs to public hearing on April 15, 2025 amendments to the Gasparilla Island Parking Ordinance that: limits parking to two hours in Downtown Boca Grande, the Gilchrist Avenue median to Sundays from 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., along the southside of 5th Street West between Gilchrist Avenue and Park Avenue, and along East Railroad Avenue north of 7th Street; identifies additional locations for signage for parking enforcement; allows for towing and impoundment of vehicles; and, increases parking violation fines of up to $150 and $300. Also provides staff with direction to impose fees, tow away zones, and time limits at the 5th Street Beach Access in accordance with the Lee County Parks and Recreation Ordinance 06-26, as amended, and to install signage necessary for the enforcement of the proposed amendments to the Gasparilla Island Parking Ordinance.
Historic Parking in Boca Grande, Matlacha
On the consent agenda for Tuesday is a direction to public hearing for amendments to Lee County Land Development Codes. Within this item is a drafted change to Chapter 22 Article III – Designation of Historic Districts and Resources, which would provide relief from zoning regulations.
The staff note specifies that the amendment would, “Add route for administrative relief from parking requirements in historic districts that allows a 20 percent reduction in parking spaces subject to availability of public parking and pedestrian accommodations within ¼ mile the property in question.”
The Boca Grande Health Clinic has been seeking a variance for parking spaces, as the county’s code requires 51 spaces.
The full agenda as well as the draft ordinance and amendments can be found at leecofl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/20/files/agenda/249.
All stories related to parking in Boca Grande, including the most recent ordinance, are available as well at bocabeacon.com/parking
Direct Links:
- Draft Ordinance (dated for April 15 meeting)
- Draft Amendments with staff notes
- Direct to public hearing
