WEEk Of JULY 31, 2024
VOLUME 62, NUMBEr 37
City’s planning commission moves forward Code changes By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Group signups open for annual global beach cleanup By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
A
s part of the Ocean Conservancy's annual International Coastal Cleanup, Coastal Watch will host volunteers to pick up garbage and debris on Sept. 21 on the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva. Coastal Watch technician Skye McDonald reported that it gives the island community the opportunity to be part of a day when over 17 million people across the globe honor their waters and coastlines. “It's become an islandwide tradition, with SCCF leading it since 1986,” she said.
Coastal Watch is part of the SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) family. This year, volunteers will tackle 25 beach stretches spanning about 17 miles along the islands. “With additional efforts from our amazing volunteers on North Captiva,” McDonald said.
The Sanibel Planning Commission recently approved some ordinances regarding Land Development Code amendments and moved them forward to the Sanibel City Council for consideration, with a recommendation for approval. At their July 23 meeting, the commissioners held public hearings on four changes to the Sanibel Plan proposed by staff to assist with redevelopment postdisaster. Planning Director Paula McMichael reported that the LDC amendments came out of the commission and council's joint workshop in June. The first ordinance dealt with nonconforming use and structures and an extension of the deadline to reestablish them. Prior to Hurricane Ian, the deadline for reestablishing a nonconforming use postdisaster was 12 months from the date of See PLANNING COMMISSION, page 18
IslanderInsIde
See BEACH CLEANUP, page 17 Coastal Watch will host the annual International Coastal Cleanup on Sanibel and Captiva's beaches on Sept. 21. Group signups for volunteers are currently open, with the deadline on Aug. 1./COASTAL WATCH
Legion marks Post’s partial reopening post-storm More restoration work to do By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
American Legion Post 123 on Sanibel is continuing to rebuild after Hurricane Ian in 2022. On July 4, it celebrated the reopening of the Post's front hall and restrooms, which includes new decorative flooring. Last week, two new pools tables, a TV and ceiling fans were installed. “The first day we opened was the road rally,” Legion Cmdr. Randy Carson said. The Post was devastated by the near-
AMERICAN LEGION POST 123
Timmy's Nook, at American Legion Post 123 on Sanibel, reopened last August.
Category 5 storm's surge and winds. “We had 6-foot of water,” he said. “It was a complete tear out.” “Everything inside was a total loss,” Carson added. With the assistance of a lot of volunteers, they began cleaning up the debris and clearing out the building in the months after the hurricane. Demolition of the interior took place in early 2023. Last August, they celebrated the reopening of the tiki hut out back, called Timmy's Nook. “We opened it up a year ago,” he said of See LEGION, page 17
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