Lee County to vote on parking miss
At the Lee Board of County Commissioners meeting on Nov. 3, there will be a public hearing on a small change to the Gasparilla Island Parking Ordinance Amendment.
The item would amend the Boca Grande parking ordinance, which currently provides an exception for private vehicles parked between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays for attendance at local events. The carve-out appears to apply to the whole island.
The Amendment clarifies that any such parking on the Gilchrist Median during local events is subject to the limitations of Section 28-161.
The concern is that someone could interpret the general Sunday exception as allowing event parking on the Gilchrist median anywhere on the island, even when that parking does not meet the more specific requirements which are in Section 28-161.
At the Oct. 6 commission meeting, County Attorney Richard Wesch explained that the county wanted to clarify that the more specific Gilchrist median restrictions take precedence over the general Sunday exception. Commissioner Kevin Ruane directed staff to prepare the amendment.
The change will add a section to a line where “Private Vehicles parked between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays for attendance at local events” was mentioned. It will add the phrase “notwithstanding, any parking on the Gilchrist Median during local events is subject to the limitations of section 28-161.”
There are other items at the meeting including Powell Creek (Del Prado) marsh restoration for $765,000. There is also the addition to a contract with Miles Partnership LLLP, to maintain and extend the Lee County visitor guide book for an additional $35,000. Total expenditures for 2025-26 are $683,412 of a board-approved amount of $1,200,000.
One item includes an inter-county beach agreement with Collier County. It would approve a memorandum of understanding with Collier County to provide for temporary bathroom facilities at the Barefoot Beach parking lot during the restoration process there.
The full meeting agenda is at leecofl.portal.civicclerk.com/.
