MERTF calls on council not to issue walkover permit

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

T h e T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h Marine Environmental Resources Task Force voted 7-0 at its last meeting to call o n t h e T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h Council not to issue a building permit for the controversial 298-feet boardwalk approved for a special exception permit by the town in March next to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area

The resolution approved by MERTF calls on the council not to issue a permit until all litigation initiated by the Florida Audubon challenging the approvals, has ended

The Florida Audubon sued the town in April following the council’s approval of the permit

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Surrounded by destruction all around, the Fort Myers Beach Public Library survived Hurricane Ian intact though its losses were not light

Approximately 9,500 books, DVDs, CDs and other items were destroyed by the 14-feet high storm surge which flooded the first floor of the library Every book on the first two levels of shelving for every bookcase on the floor was ruined, Fort Myers Beach Public Library Assistant Director John Lukow said That includes books that had been donated by the community to the library for its November book sale fundraiser

“The whole lobby area was flooded from the storm surge,” Lukow said.

Following the meeting by MERTF, the town council acted to reverse an earlier decision directing the town attorney to issue an indemnification letter to the two property owners seeking to build the boardwalk while litigation continues with the Florida Audubon. The indemnification letter was going to be sent by now former town attorney John Herin Jr in the case that the town issued a building permit for the walkover while the litigation continued Herin had advised the council not to issue the building permit while the litigation was in progress Herin advised that if the town did pursue issuing the building permit anyway, that an indemnification letter should be issued to protect the town in the case the town lost the lawsuit and the walkover had to be removed The town could be liable for damages if the walkover was erected while litigation was in progress

Town councilmembers John King and K a r e n W o o d s o n h a v e p u s h e d f o r a speedy issuance of the building permit

See WALKOVER PERMIT, page 12