Tag Archives: City Council

Sunny Memorial Day Weekend on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on by
Reply

Sunset-cropped

What’s Happening at SanibelSusan Realty

SanibelSusanLogoEven before the arrival of the holiday weekend visitors today, we had a fairly active week at SanibelSusan Realty. The office fielded several listing inquiries, had some showings, got a new lot listing, and I was out showing property several days to both prospective condo and home owners.

One of these buyers was interested in beach turtle nesting and heard that the islands had not had any nests this year. I referred him to my blog last week and said that nesting may be a little late this year, much like the rainy season which has not really begun yet. Florida has been getting rain on the east coast and inland, but the islands need rain. Sunny days are expected right into next week, with temperatures up to 90 degrees – perfect for the incoming vacationers!

sundial-logoSpeaking of vacationers, when I was at Sundial Resort mid-week, they said that they have over 150 check-ins expected today. Their new front lobby area has now been fully remodeled and it reopened this week, as did the new restaurant and bar. The open balcony for alfresco dining is complete too, while work is continuing on the upper conference room level balcony.

Sanibel Moorings Condominium ResortAt Sanibel Moorings, this morning, their reservationist told me that they are “full” for the weekend. All good news for businesses on the islands!

Teammate Dave was out photographing our new listing on Buck Key Road yesterday and snapped a few photos of a soft shelled Florida turtle in the bayou and the below bird’s nest with babies (possibly anhinga). (Look carefully to see them through the vegetation.)

Birds nest on Sanibel Bayou (photo by David Anderson)

Birds nest on Sanibel Bayou (photo by David Anderson, May 2013)

Regarding turtle nests and as follow-up to last week’s blog, more nests were reported today by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s (SCCF) turtle patrol. There now are two on the east end, 24 west end, and seven on Captiva, plus a total of 51 false crawls.

Snowy Plover chick (photo by Roberta Schuldenfrei May 19, 2012)

Snowy Plover chick (photo by Roberta Schuldenfrei May 19, 2012)

SCCF also posted that another Snowy Plover nest was laid this week, for a total of nine this season. If you are on the beach, watch out for these tiny chicks. The photo above by our photographer pal, Roberta Schuldenfrei, shows just how small these babies are.

Four of the Snowy Plover nests have hatched so far and a Wilson’s Plover nest also hatched this week.

Here are a few other island news items followed by the activity posted over the last seven days in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

City Enhances Lightning Prediction System at Island Parks

Sanibelcityseal logoTeammate Elise jumped this week when the new audible horn which is part of the City Lightning Prediction System was tested at the Community Park across the street from our office. Another horn has been installed at the Ball Field Complex on Sanibel Captiva Road next to the school.

As a storm is approaching a visual warning (orange flashing strobes) and an audible warning (horn will sound once for 15 seconds for “red alert” and will sound three times for 5 seconds for “all clear”). The system operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Upgrading Sanibel’s Commercial Properties

croppedfrontSanibel City Council held a workshop this week about its ongoing concern about redevelopment and upgrading of the island’s commercial districts. Currently any business use that is not specifically listed in Sanibel’s code is prohibited from opening on the island – or at least without a variance or amendment. That restriction has posed problems for Council as it works on ways to stimulate the island’s commercial areas and encourage owners to renovate.

Council began by looking at permitted uses, non-conforming structures and uses, on-site parking requirements, and interconnectivity between commercial areas and setbacks. Prior to 1985, only 26 permitted uses in commercial districts were listed as part of the land use plan. If a use was not listed, the planning commission could approve the use provided it was found to be similar in character, size, intensity and impact to those listed.

With the adoption of the land development code in 1985, the list of permitted uses was expanded to 100 and the Planning Commission no longer could approve uses not listed. Today, there are businesses that were not envisioned back then and the process to define a new use for a specific property is both time-consuming and expensive. For example, recently an applicant wanting to teach ballet classes, which is not a listed use, was discouraged because of the high cost (as much as $7,000) of the long (5- to 6-month) process. Other examples of non-permitted uses that have been abandoned include a doggy day care and a micro-brewery.

Commercial redevelopment is a challenge because major issues are involved. Some older structures are nonconforming under current codes, and some are hampered by setback rules. Council members want to streamline the application process and lower the cost, but indicated that they do not want to give carte blanche for all business uses. Some, particularly those with outside impact, could require public hearings.

Council also is considering parking space requirements and seeking ways to encourage connectivity between commercial centers. The topic will be discussed further during Council’s June 4 meeting.

Is a Central Civic Core in Sanibel’s Future?

Farmers marketA Tampa-based consultant recently performed a study to determine the potential for creating a core civic area on Sanibel. It would encompass the library, town hall (farmer’s market area), BIG ARTS, and the historic village. A survey determined that there is the potential for 30-some acres of developable land.

Sanibel library signThis project is not budgeted and will need City Council approval before going further, but initial talks include moving the Community House as part of the plan and relocating the City’s Public Work’s Department. The Center 4 Life, on Library Way and in need of renovation of expansion, also is being considered for relocation to the civic core. Stay tuned on this subject, it also will be discussed at the June 4 City Council Meeting.

Senator Hopes To Delay Flood Insurance Increases

AssociatedPressLogo-largeAn Associated Press article posted yesterday and sourced to “The Advocate” provided follow-up on my blog posting last week about flood insurance. It says:

“Sen. Mary Landrieu filed legislation this week to delay flood insurance increases for many residents and businesses in southern Louisiana that officials fear could begin skyrocketing at the end of the year. The National Flood Insurance Program reauthorization was approved last year. Landrieu, D-La., had an amendment that was defeated that would have stalled premium increases of 20% or more annually for some residents in the program.

“The new “Strengthen, Modernize and Reform The National Flood Insurance Program Act” would indefinitely delay the hikes until six months after Congress receives an affordability study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The bill also protects properties that are currently “grandfathered.” Landrieu tells The Advocate she has not yet decided on how she will try to move the bill forward. “It could be stand alone. It could be amended onto another bill,” she said. “It could be part of the appropriations process, of which I’d have a good bit of influence on since I chair the committee.” Landrieu chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA’s funding.

“The insurance fear is that proposed flood maps will cost residents and business owners a lot more in the congressional effort to make the flood insurance program more self-sustainable. The proposed flood maps are still under federal review but more parts of the state’s coast are becoming high-risk velocity zones, or V-zones, where insurance rates increase more. The program also is going to start phasing out “grandfathered” rates next year. The NFIP allows homeowners and businesses in flood zones that have trouble getting private insurance to obtain policies backed by the federal government.

“Nearly 500,000 people in Louisiana participate in the NFIP. The program has been in financial distress with a loss of more than $20 billion, largely due to payments made after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Landrieu said balances must be found to ensure the insurance is “affordable, accessible and self-sustainable.””

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 17-24

Sanibel
CONDOS
2 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #241 1/1 $309.9K, Pointe Santo #D24 2/2 $635K.
2 price changes: Sundial #G205 1/1 now $315K, Sanddollar #B104 2/2 now $869K.
9 new sales: Blind Pass #E201 2/2 listed for $399K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #A102 2/2 listed for $399K, Island Beach Club #P3A 2/2 listed for $460K, Sandpiper Beach #103 2/2 listed for $595K, Pointe Santo #C32 2/2 listed for $599.9K, Loggerhead Cay #133 2/2 listed for $649K, Pointe Santo #C26 2/2 listed for $669K, Pelicans Roost #206 2/2 listed for $799K, Nutmeg Village #101 2/2 listed for $919K.
6 closed sales: Sundial #G104 2/2 $412K, Island Beach Club #P1A 2/2 $438K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #6-2 2/2.5 $455K, Oceans Reach #1B4 1/1 $595K, Pointe Santo #C3 3/2 $800K, Compass Point #183 2/2 $1M.

HOMES
1 new listing: 1066 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $550K.
2 price changes: 261 Ferry Landing Dr 2/2 half-duplex now $1.02M, 2520 Harbour Ln 3/2.5 now $1.421M.
4 new sales: 1409 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 half-duplex listed for $299K, 966 Greenwood Ct S 3/2.5 half-duplex listed for $349K, 696 Durion Ct 3/2.5 listed for $635K, 919 Almas Ct 3/2.5 listed for $1.049M.
4 closed sales: 1639 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex $360K, 1342 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $550K, 1339 Par View Dr 3/2 $625K, 6009 Clam Bayou Rd 4/3 $750K.

LOTS
1 new listing: 4626 Buck Key Rd $199.9K (our listing).
2 price changes: 1118 Sand Castle Rd now $199K (our listing), 1540 San Carlos Bay Dr now $1.35M.
1 new sale: 4309 Gulf Pines Dr listed for $299K.
1 closed sale: 6141 Starling Way $410K.

Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings or price changes.
1 new sale: Tennis Villas #3138 2/2 listed for $395K.
1 closed sale: Bayside Villas #5308 3/3 $504,999.

HOMES
No new listings.
1 price change: 16645 Captiva Dr 8/9/2 now $3.749M.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 59 Sandpiper Ct 3/2 $735K.

LOTS
Nothing to report.

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions. If your property currently is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.

VeteransHappy Memorial Day Weekend!

from The SanibelSusan Team (Susan, Dave, Elise, & Lisa)

Gearing up on Sanibel & Captiva Islands to say, “Happy Birthday, USA”

Posted on by
Reply

The SanibelSusan Team is fired up for more island visitors and hopefully more real estate activity over the upcoming holiday week. Some of my mates are off on Wednesday for the 4th, but SanibelSusan will be in the office offering water and a cool respite to those parade-watchers who annually gather outside our front door. If you are in the neighborhood, bring your lawn chair too, the area in front of the SanibelSusan Realty office is a terrific vantage point for the morning festivities. See the schedule of events below and some real-estate related news items, followed by the week’s report of the activity posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service. 

July 4th Holiday Schedule of Island Events

7 to 9 a.m. Pancake Breakfast before the parade at the Sanibel Community Church (1740 Periwinkle Way, next to Jerry’s Center) to benefit the Sanibel campus of Summit Christian Preschool which is at the church.

9:30 a.m. Parade beginning at Tarpon Bay Road & Periwinkle Way (Bailey’s Center) ending at Periwinkle & Casa Ybel Rd (Jerry’s Center). Theme is “Sanibel is #1”.

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Post-Parade Celebration at Jerry’s Center with free snow cones, hot dogs & soda, water slides, dunk tank, bounce house, & face painting, with donations   for The Boy Scouts of America.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Backyard Barbeque at Bailey’s Shopping Center, right after the parade, featuring live music, beer, hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, & other foods.

noon Road Rally starts at The Timbers (703 Tarpon Bay Rd), sponsored by the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club. Theme is “Rallying for Island Youth”.

6  to 9 p.m. July 4th Celebration at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club with children’s games & contests including a putting competition & pool party. Food & beverages available, including pig roast, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, cotton candy, & ice cream. The fireworks are visible from here too. (Parking $5)

7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunset Fireworks Cruise aboard the Lady Chadwick, with Danny Morgan performing. Call Captiva Cruises for reservations 472-5300.

Dusk Fireworks at the end of Bailey Rd. with free parking on the causeway.

Post Tropical Storm Debby

I am thankful to report that the sun is out once again and southwest Florida has returned to its normal summer weather routine – bright blue skies, with occasional big white popcorn clouds followed by an afternoon shower, then clearing, and magnificent sunsets. Other than some damaged turtle nests, a downed tree at West Wind Inn, a couple of roadways flooded for a few hours, and a bit of erosion in front of The Mucky Duck Restaurant on Captiva, Sanibel and Captiva came through the storm unscathed. (Check out the web cam at The Mucky Duck.)

The photo above was taken on Tuesday at the Lighthouse Point beach, while the photo below was taken the next day from the beach at West Wind Inn, as the storm was subsiding.

The photos below were posted on Facebook by Judie Zimomra, our terrific Sanibel City Manager. They are good examples of what the causeway bridge looked like during Debby’s wind and rain, and then just after.

Dave and I were out showing Sanibel canal-front property off Dixie Beach Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon just before high tide. It was surprising how quickly that roadway flooded during just the hour-plus that we were out there. Dave took these about 3 p.m. By the next day, it was dry.

A quick drive through the island on Wednesday revealed some erosion on the sandy road to the lighthouse and a small section of Woodring Road – nothing that a little fill or some riprap wouldn’t resolve.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Visitors Center Ranked #1

With more than 96% of reviewers giving high ratings, the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center received a #1 ranking by TripAdvisor. With over 190,000 annual visitors, the Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. TripAdvisor is an online website designed for travelers to review and rank places and businesses visited, including reviews and advice on accommodations at hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals, flights, travel guides, etc.

Evaluation of The Sanibel Plan 

An article posted this week by “Island Sun” reporter Anne Mitchell advises that the Sanibel Planning Commission is nearing the end of its months-long elevation of The Sanibel Plan. The state requires a report from all municipalities every seven years to determine whether amendments are necessary to reflect changes in state requirements. Changes such as population shifts, visitor numbers, the economy and development are considered. The result is that the 7-member commission has been going through the plan before sending any proposed amendments on to the City Council. According to the report, City Council reviewed service standards last year and retained current levels. Services reviewed included drainage systems, roads, libraries, schools, fire stations and water supply. A population projection indicates little change in the next ten years. Sanibel currently has a population of 6,470, which could increase to between 6,700 and 6,900 in 2022 (data from University of Florida Warrington College of Business Administration, the Bureau of Economics and Business Research (April 2011) and the Sanibel Planning Department). Seasonal population could increase from 11,730 in 2011 to about 12,120 in 2022. On the topic of future land use, changes reflect factors such as acquisitions by The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (i.e. land removed from the commercial sector and placed under conservation lands.) Only ~35,000 sq. ft. of commercial remains undeveloped, based on the Commercial District Map. The capital improvements segment notes that Sanibel “has essentially reached build-out and is in a redevelopment phase,” with over 92% of dwelling units permitted having already been built.

More Americans Expect Home Prices to Rise

An article posting on HousingWire earlier this month covers a recent Fannie Mae survey and has some positive news. It says:

            “More Americans are optimistic that home prices will inch up over the next year, and they expect prices to rise at least 1.4% in that timeframe. That marks the highest amount ever recorded in Fannie Mae’s monthly National Housing Survey. Thirty-four percent – also the highest ever recorded – of 1,000 respondents in the May housing survey say they expect to see a boost in home prices in the next year. Forty-one percent say they think mortgage rates also will rise over the next year.
            ““Both indicators suggest the potential that consumers may consider moving off the sidelines to purchase a home,” according to the survey analysis. Survey respondents also say they expect rental prices to continue to edge up over next year, projecting a 4.1% increase in that period.
            “Still, a slowdown in the pace of new jobs and income growth is creating a plateau in consumer sentiment that might delay a full recovery in the housing market, according to Fannie Mae’s survey. Fifteen percent of those surveyed reported that their household income is significantly lower than it was 12 months ago, which marks a record low in the annual survey.
            ““Our May consumer data show that Americans are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach about buying or selling a home,” says Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist. “This is not surprising given their assessment that their income during the past 12 months and their personal financial expectation for the next 12 months have leveled off. … Current jobs data are reminiscent of the spring slowdown that continued into the summer months during the last two years.
            ““If this pattern continues, we do not expect to see any significant upturn in consumer sentiment during the summer, and a meaningful housing recovery likely will be delayed once again.”” 

Florida’s Frank Gregoire’s Testimony

Frank on the The Hill 06-28-2012

Frank Gregoire is a long-time friend and colleague from St. Pete, also active in our Florida Realtors® leadership team, but from an appraiser’s side of the real estate business. Frank yesterday represented the National Association of Realtors® at the nation’s capitol speaking to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing, and Community Opportunity before the Appraisal Oversight Hearing. His testimony is an excellent overview of the myriad of problems encountered today in the appraisal business and how they hinder real estate recovery and home ownership. Titled, “Appraisal Oversight: The Regulatory Impact on Consumers and Businesses”, I encourage you to read it: http://appraisersblogs.com/appraisal/statement-of-frank-gregoire-nar-before-appraisal-oversight-hearing/

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 22-29:

Sanibel

CONDOS
1 new listing: Villa Sanibel #2H 2/2 $495K.
1 price change: Sundial #H211 1/1 now $275K.
2 new sales: Captains Walk #F7 2/1.5 listed for $227K, Sundial #E305 2/2 listed for 835K.
4 closed sales: Seashells #37 2/2 $250K (our listing), Lighthouse Point #217 3/2 $302K, Signal Inn #2 1/1 $330K, Pine Cove #102 3/2 $775K.
 
HOMES
2 new listings: 656 Anchor Dr 3/2 $685K, 848 Limpet Dr 3/2.5 $1.299M.
4 price changes: 2991 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $389.9K, 2130 Sunset Cir 3/2 now $487K, 1511 Angel Dr 3/2 now $679K, 1206 Par View Dr 3/2 now $699K.
2 new sales: 531 Piedmont Rd 2/2 listed for $319K, 1086 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed for $544K.
4 closed sales: 1657 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 half-duplex $325K, 1360 Eagle Run Dr 5/3.5 850K (short sale), 926 Whelk Dr 4/3 $1.148M, 1069 Bird Ln 4/3.5 $2.4M.
 
LOTS
1 new listing: 9426 Sage Ct $279,555.
1 new sale: Beverly Ln listed for $149K.
1 closed sale: 568 Lighthouse Way $1.175M (with house).
 
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings or price changes.
1 new sale: Tennis Villas #3224 1/1 listed for $260K.
2 closed sales: Marina Villas #901 2/2 $475K, Lands End #1664 3/3 $1.31M.
HOMES
1 new listing: 15301 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 $2.5M.
No price changes, new or closed sales.

LOTS
Nothing to report.

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions. If your property currently is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.

 

Happy Birthday, USA, & best wishes for a terrific 4th of July!