Efforts to resolve a dispute between Charlotte and Lee counties over newly enacted parking restrictions on Boca Grande stalled Jan. 5, when a conflict resolution meeting ended within minutes without any agreement.
The meeting, which began at 10 a.m. at the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library, brought together top officials from both counties but quickly reached an impasse. Under state law, when a conflict resolution hearing fails, the next step requires the full county commission boards from both jurisdictions to meet jointly. If that meeting also fails to resolve the issue, Charlotte County would have the option to pursue legal action, County Attorney Janette Knowlton previously told commissioners.
Charlotte County Commission Chair Joe Tiseo and County Administrator Hector Flores sat across from Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane and Lee County Manager Dave Harner during the brief session.
The dispute stems from parking regulations implemented by Lee County in August that limit long-term parking on Boca Grande for people who do not live or work on the island or who are not guests. While the village of Boca Grande lies entirely within Lee County, Gasparilla Island is divided between the two counties, with the northern portion in Charlotte County and the southern two-thirds in Lee.
Since the restrictions were enacted, Charlotte County residents and business owners have repeatedly appeared at commission meetings urging county leaders to challenge the ordinance. Residents have said the three-hour parking limit prevents them from enjoying a full day at the beach without repeatedly moving their vehicles, while business owners contend the restrictions have reduced customer traffic and hurt sales.
Charlotte County Commission Chair Joe Tiseo, left, and County Administrator Hector Flores sit during a conflict resolution meeting with Lee County officials Jan. 5 at the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library. The meeting ended without an agreement on Boca Grande parking rules.
Nancy Semon
During the meeting, Tiseo said Charlotte County should have been included in Lee County’s discussions before the ordinance was adopted. He asked Ruane whether Lee County would consider pausing or narrowing enforcement while the counties conducted a collaborative study or pilot program. Tiseo also suggested allowing parking on alternating streets within the restricted zone as a potential compromise.
Ruane rejected those proposals, saying the restrictions are now codified as a Lee County ordinance and are not open for reconsideration.
Tiseo referenced a memo circulated by Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman to members of the Charlotte and Lee County legislative delegations and to both county commissions. The memo outlined the Gasparilla Island Conservation District Act of 1980, which Hamman said supports the parking restrictions and aligns with the act’s original intent.
Tiseo disputed that interpretation, arguing the act focuses on limiting development through building guidelines to preserve the island’s ecological and historic character, not on regulating parking.
Ruane countered that Tiseo’s reading was incorrect and said Hamman does not speak for the entire Lee County Commission.
Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, right, speaks with Charlotte County officials during a Jan. 5 conflict resolution meeting over Boca Grande parking regulations. The discussion ended within minutes after officials failed to find common ground.
Nancy Semon
Under the ordinance, island residents and employees must display a parking decal, while hotel guests, house guests and service providers are required to use a placard. All other visitors are limited to three hours of parking. Fines can reach up to $200 for parking violations and up to $500 for blocking driveways. Parking is prohibited entirely between First and 19th streets.
Ruane said Boca Grande has about 250 public parking spaces and argued that the underlying issue is population growth in Charlotte County. He described that growth as “astonishing” and pointed to the county’s approval of roughly 32,000 new housing units within several miles of the Boca Grande Causeway.
Tiseo responded that growth is “a naturally occurring event” and noted that “Florida is a growth state,” adding that residents should not be penalized for living in a fast-growing region.
The exchange grew increasingly tense as Tiseo continued to propose potential compromises and Ruane pushed back. At one point, Ruane said, “I represent citizens of Lee County.”
That comment prompted groans and brief laughter from members of the public, most of whom were Charlotte County residents. Ruane then warned, “If you can’t control your public, I’m going to leave.”
With neither side willing to yield, the meeting ended without resolution. Officials from both counties agreed to schedule a future meeting that will include their full commission boards, as required under the state’s intergovernmental conflict resolution process. A date for that meeting has not yet been announced.