Sanibel City Hall overflowed Tuesday with residents commenting on a new restaurant they say could change the island just a little too much.
In most places in rapidly growing Southwest Florida an application for a 250 seat restaurant would pass almost unnoticed.
But Sanibel Island aims to be a sanctuary with residents fiercely protective of its image as an unspoiled paradise.
So there was lots of opposition at the Planning Commission hearing to discuss relocating Doc Ford’s restaurant to a more central location.
Heading the opposition was island author and Realtor Charlie Sobczack who lives close to the new site.
“It is going to jam up that corner of Sanibel to the extent that the people of Sanibel will regret forever the day that permit was issued,” said Sobczack.
The new site also borders Pond Apple Park conservation area to the west. Some residents said the increased traffic would be detrimental to the bobcats, gopher tortoises and other wildlife that inhabit the park.
Restaurant owner and Sanibel City Councilman Marty Harrity and author Randy Wayne White, creator of the Doc Ford character who lends its name to the restaurant are for the move.
Harrity said he wants to move because he doesn’t want to renew his lease far away from the busy center of Sanibel.
Harrity, also claims any other type of business in the same location would generate an equal amount of traffic.
“We did a traffic study and you know what, for whatever use is going to be there the traffic’s going to be about the same,” said Harrity.
The Lee County Department of Transportation reports that traffic on the island increased 4 percent in March this year with more than 355,000 vehicles coming on to the island between mid February and mid March.
City planners essentially approved the conditional use with amendments allowing the restaurant project to be considered by the Sanibel City Council.