By Richard Luthmann
London Bay Development Group’s ambitious redevelopment plans for Fort Myers Beach face stiff opposition from local residents concerned about the impact on their narrow and shallow canals. The developers, who bought the former Outrigger Resort and Charlie's Boathouse Grill for $38.2 million last year, are proposing a mixed-use hotel and condominium project that includes water taxis to shuttle guests from their Estero Bay property to Fort Myers Beach.
Residents of the Bahia Via and Curlew Street canal areas are speaking out against the water taxi plan, saying the canal is already too narrow and shallow for increased boat traffic.
"We have a smaller boat here, and we have to go in and out on proper times for the tides," said Dawn Miller, who lives on Bahia Via. "It’s a narrow canal. It’s all residents. It’s single-family homes!"
The proposed water taxi route would pass through this residential canal, which has alarmed many living there. Residents are worried that the water taxis, expected to run every 30 minutes, would disrupt their peaceful neighborhood and erode their privacy.
"There is zero privacy," said Miller, adding that the increased traffic could make navigating the canal even more challenging for residents.
London Bay’s project includes two high-rise towers, with plans for hotel rooms, condominiums, and public amenities like a beach bar, rooftop bar, and full-service restaurant. However, the developer’s proposal to use water taxis to transport guests to the beach has become a flashpoint in the community.
Another Bahia Via resident, Joe Daniels, expressed concerns about the project's impact on local regulations and town planning.
"I’m all for having something built again at the end of the canal; I miss the Outrigger, I miss Charlie's and everything we lost in Ian," Daniels said, referencing Hurricane Ian's destruction. "But I wish that the current company would follow the regulations and rules that are set by the town."
Another issue concerns the height of the proposed condos. London Bay is seeking approval to build towers as high as 17 stories, far exceeding the town’s four-story limit. London Bay’s President and CEO, Mark Wilson, defended the height deviation, citing other high-rise towers built before the town's incorporation.
“Nobody is going to take this parcel and do a two-story building over parking,” Wilson said in a public presentation in February. “It would be a travesty for the land.”
One local couple joked, “We can’t wait to greet the taxis while we sunbathe on Curlew Street!”
Despite the opposition, some residents see potential benefits in the water taxi proposal, particularly as an alternative to beach traffic. However, whether the service would be open to the public or reserved exclusively for guests of London Bay’s developments is unclear. The developer’s other property, a luxurious 507-acre Estero Bay community with Ritz-Carlton Residences, could be a source of the water taxi passengers.
Miller and other residents fear the developers are using the water taxis to compensate for the new resort's insufficient parking.
“They don’t have ample parking for what they’re planning, and that makes me believe they want to boat in their staff as well,” Miller said.
To change the developers’ plans, Miller organized a community meeting where concerned residents discussed alternative solutions, such as rerouting the shuttle service through more expansive waterways like Fish Tale Marina. However, according to a statement from London Bay, no definitive plans have been made for the shuttle boat service or the development of the old Charlie’s property.
The development group recently requested an indefinite continuance for their application to Fort Myers Beach’s Local Planning Agency (LPA). The decision allows the developers time to address feedback from town officials and residents. The project’s formal review, initially scheduled for Friday, will be rescheduled, and the LPA will hold public hearings on four ordinances related to the project’s comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, and height limit deviation.
The proposed development has already generated significant interest in the community. London Bay plans to transform the area into a resort destination with public amenities like a shaded park, bike and golf cart parking, and beach showers. However, residents remain concerned that their quiet canals could become busy commercial waterways.
"They want to run a boat every 30 minutes to bring people from their Estero property," said Miller. "Everybody knows how much property there is for sale on Fort Myers Beach right now, so how’s that going to stop them from making commercial space in residential areas in other canals?"
The redevelopment of the Outrigger Resort property is just one of several large-scale projects transforming Fort Myers Beach in the wake of Hurricane Ian. London Bay’s $200 million investment in the area aims to create a luxury destination with hotel rooms, condos, restaurants, and recreational amenities. However, the company’s efforts to blend the new resort with the local community are meeting resistance, particularly from residents who see the water taxi plan threatening their way of life.
The debate over the water taxi service highlights Fort Myers Beach's broader challenges as it rebuilds after the hurricane. Balancing economic development with preserving the town’s character and residential areas will require careful consideration by town leaders and developers alike.
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said he had not seen London Bay’s proposal but acknowledged that the redevelopment of the Outrigger property would significantly change the area. Public hearings and further discussions will determine whether the developers' vision for Fort Myers Beach's future aligns with its residents' needs and desires.
As the town awaits the next steps in the approval process, residents like Miller remain determined to protect their canals from becoming commercial waterways.
"It’s a substantial amount of people that will be coming to our town using our canal," Miller said. "And we’re going to do everything we can to ensure our voices are heard."
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