Thirty years ago today, Fort Myers Beach became an incorporated town. Previously, it was part of unincorporated Lee County.
The anniversary marks three decades of its self-governance on Estero Island.
Before its incorporation, the county made decisions about zoning, planning, and development. Now, the town makes its own decisions.
As Southwest Florida grew in the 1980s and 1990s, the town heard concerns from residents about infrastructure capacity, development, and the protection of its coastal and environmental resources.
That’s when residents organized to incorporate, allowing them to control land use, planning, and community decision-making. In 1985, a public referendum was put forth, and voters formally established the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
The town plans to hold a public ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary, and details will be announced at a later date.