The appointment by the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council of former Local Planning Agency (LPA) member John McLean to the Fort Myers Beach Council has left a vacancy on the LPA.
The town announced that the deadline to apply for the LPA seat is March 16. The link to the application can be found on the town’s website under its advisory boards page at:
https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25076/Advisory-Committee-Application-Form.
Applicants for the LPA seat must be residents of the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Each application must include a short biography and short explanation as to why the applicant wishes to serve on the local planning agency.
The LPA serves in an advisory role to the Town Council on matters related to land use, zoning, development regulations, and the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The LPA’s role is largely to make recommendations to the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council on votes concerning major land use issues, land use changes and developments.
While the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council is not obligated to follow the LPA’s vote, the LPA’s decisions can be seen as a guide by councilmembers in their voting. In 2024, the LPA voted against recommending the controversial Seagate Development Group condo tower though the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council voted to approve the project anyway.
McLean, who was on the LPA at the time of the vote, was one of two LPA members who voted in favor of the Seagate project. The approval by the town council of the Seagate plans has been part of ongoing litigation between the town and neighboring property owners.
The LPA holds monthly meetings at the Town of Fort Myers Beach Town Hall usually on the second Tuesday of each month.
Fort Myers Beach Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at Nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
To reach Nathan Mayberg, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com