The Captiva Community Panel (CCP) was updated on the stormwater management study taking place for the island, legal efforts related to South Seas and Lee County, and more at its recent meeting.
On Nov. 11, Stormwater Committee Chair and former Panel Member Jay Brown reiterated that the county’s consultant is currently working on a stormwater model to address rainfall and flooding.
He reported that they are expected to finish in April.
Brown continued that once the county has the consultant’s draft report on potential solutions for the identified problem areas on Captiva, it will reach out to the community to seek input on the plan.
Also during the meeting, Panel President David Mintz provided an update on behalf of Protect Captiva — the coalition seeking to maintain longtime building height and density limitations on the island.
He reiterated that a petition for writ of certiorari was filed in court by the Captiva Civic Association (CCA), R.L.R. Investments and Royal Shell Vacations, 12 separate South Seas condominium associations, and eight separate South Seas timeshare associations. That is ongoing, with no updates.
Mintz reported that the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) case continues, along with the lawsuit filed by the resort against the CCA. Again, all parties are waiting on the courts.
The final legal effort entails Circuit Court Judge James Shenko’s finding that a settlement agreement between the CCA and county limiting density at South Seas to 912 units is valid and enforceable.
He reiterated that the resort and county have appealed his ruling, which triggered an automatic stay, making the finding not applicable for the time being. Concerned about South Seas filing permits while the appeal is under review, the CCA asked Shenko to vacate the automatic stay, which he could not.
However, the judge was able to impose the condition that the county and resort must advise the CCA at the time buildings permits are requested or received or if it looks imminent that permits will be issued.
Mintz reported that in response, South Seas and the county filed a motion to appeal the condition imposed by Shenko. The appellate court has issued its ruling, allowing the condition to stand.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Mintz gave an update on the Rauschenberg property on Captiva that is up for sale.
He reported that it is his understanding that the Rauschenberg Foundation completed its first round of offers, whittled down the remaining bids during a second round, and now is likely on its last round.
Mintz believes that there are now three offers on the table — not including the one submitted by the Captiva Island Fire Control District — and that the island-friendly investor’s offer is one of those.
He is optimistic that the investor’s offer on behalf of the community will be accepted.
– Island Water Association (IWA) General Manager Diana Wilson gave a presentation on a recently completed Water Revenue Sufficiency Study, including the outcomes and proposed rate and fee adjustments. Looking at resiliency and capacity over a 10-year timeframe, rate adjustments in 2026, 2027 and 2028 — the first increase in 16 years — is recommended.
However, the IWA board withdrew its proposed rate increase the day after the panel’s meeting upon learning that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection had added $34.67 million in system resiliency projects. It directed its consultant to update the rate model accounting for the new funding.
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