SANIBEL

Some fear loss of Old Florida feel at Sanibel Causeway beaches

Fort Myers News-Press

Some beachgoers fear a Lee County plan to stabilize the iconic Sanibel Causeway beaches, create a new parking plan, and erect permanent buildings may dim the appeal of the few remaining Old Florida beachfronts in the region.

County commissioners Tuesday awarded a $2.3 million state-funded contract to Spectrum Contracting of Naples to perform the work and awarded a $216,000 engineering contract to supervise a shoreline stabilization project on Sanibel Causeway Island B.

It is part of a project approved by commissioners in December that is expected to cost $8.5 million and, for some, cause significant loss of a beach experience. Scores of trees have already been removed.

From earlier:Sanibel Causeway island beaches getting a makeover

Other news:Invasive pines yanked on Sanibel Causeway island

Commissioners said they have heard concerns from the public that the project to restore the shorelines and install beach erosion control measures comes with plans for formalized "structured" parking areas, restroom buildings — and new fees for visitors.

Scenes from the Sanibel Causeway on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. The county is spending $8.5 million on erosion control and other amenities including restrooms and parking on the Causeway.

Commissioner Brian Hamman said while supporting work to restore the beaches and control future deterioration, some fans of the causeway beaches may be upset about the changes that are coming.

"This is like one of the last Florida kind of tradition, where you can pull your car right up on the beach, throw the tailgate open and watch the sunset and play or picnic right there," Hamman said. "That's going to change once we switch to structured parking."

Visitors to the Sanibel Causeway catch a bit of Old Florida beach time at sunset near the stumps of non-native Australian pine trees recently removed by Lee County to make way for erosion control structures. Some fear the project, including amenities such as structured parking, drainage, pavilions, restroom enhancements, pathways, landscaping and signage, will diminish the experience.

Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass said he is concerned about the impact of a solid-surface parking lot that could lead to water washing across the islands.

He also told of hearing talk of beach parking fees, already pursued aggressively at Lee County beaches, on top of the $6 toll for pulling the family car onto the Sanibel Causeway.

As with Hamman, Pendergrass worries about "charging so much for parking that we're pushing people away" from visiting the unique beaches.

"They ask, 'Is it an effort to keep people from going there or is it an effort to improve the facility,'" Pendergrass said. "That's the perception by some people in the community — it's an effort by some to keep you from going there because they don't want to see you having a good time on a Friday night."

Erosion of the shoreline on the Sanibel Causeway beaches is being addressed in a $8.5 million project to prevent stretches of beach from being washed away. But county commissioners say they have heard from local people worried that the beaches will become expensive.

Deputy County Manager Dave Harner responded that the county is considering options when it comes to parking.

Harner said that the project includes elements such as stabilizing the shoreline and controlling runoff water, both from the park itself and from the bridge road.

"When you talk about paid parking, it goes in line with what we do at some of our high profile parks. So if you look at Bonita Beach, Bowditch Point, they're paid parking." Harner said.

Commission Chairman Kevin Ruane said the county needs to "vet out" the cost of operating the facility, noting that while he was a member of the Sanibel city council, parking at Sanibel beaches rose from $1 per hour to $5 per hour.

A fisherman throws a castnet for bait off of the Sanibel Causeway in Fort Myers on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. A blanket of light hazy fog limited visibilty in parts of Southwest Florida.

He said the feedback he gets from his former neighbors on Sanibel "is encouraging charging for parking."

Harner said the county administration would schedule a work session with the commission to discuss the shoreline stabilization project and its impact on visitors and local residents.

"It is something that we even enjoyed as a family, going out there, pulling the tailgate open, having a dinner and watching the sun set," Hamman said. "It's got some of the best sunset views out there."