Residents of Fort Myers Beach voiced strong opposition to a proposed development project during a recent government meeting, citing concerns over building height and community impact. The discussions highlighted the contentious history surrounding height regulations in the town, which was established partly to address such issues.

One resident, who lives directly across from the proposed site, emphasized that height has been the most divisive topic in the community, recalling that the town was created to manage these concerns. He argued that the project exceeds the de facto standard of three stories established by previous developments, such as the Margaritaville project, which included community benefits like parking and public access.

Another resident echoed these sentiments, warning that allowing the proposed height could set a dangerous precedent for future developments. He urged council members to maintain existing height restrictions to preserve the character of Fort Myers Beach.

Matthew Wadd, a board member of the Estero Island Beach Club, raised procedural concerns regarding the development's approval process, claiming that the board had not followed its bylaws and that the project lacked proper owner consent. He called for the agenda item to be tabled until these issues were addressed.

Anthony Ashford, another resident, pointed out discrepancies in the proposal, particularly regarding its compliance with the town's floor area ratio (FAR) regulations. He cautioned that increasing the building's intensity could exacerbate traffic issues, urging the council to reject any allowances for height increases.

The meeting underscored the community's commitment to preserving the town's character and adhering to established regulations, as residents rallied against the proposed development, seeking to protect their neighborhood from what they perceive as overreach.