The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency approved a special exception to allow the placement of an 8‑foot‑wide, 110‑foot‑long elevated boardwalk at Beach Access 41 (252 Estero Boulevard) and separately voted 5–1 to approve a variance increasing the code maximum dune walkover width from 6 feet to 8 feet. Because the variance vote was not unanimous, the variance will require a second hearing before the town council.

Jason Smalley, town planning staff, and Jordan Varvel, the county’s Johnson Engineering consultant, told the LPA the proposal is a like‑for‑like replacement of a pre‑storm elevated structure and that the county is pursuing FEMA reimbursement to help fund reconstruction. Varvel described construction as an elevated, timber‑and‑pile boardwalk with composite decking: "The entire boardwalk will be 8 foot wide..." he said, and the Mobi‑Mat currently in place would be removed.

Members raised concerns about whether approving an 8‑foot width would set a precedent for other dune walkovers. A member said the town code limit of 6 feet likely reflected a judgment about minimizing impacts and accommodating single‑wheelchair passage; staff responded that each variance is evaluated case‑by‑case and any future, larger requests would again come before the LPA or council.

The LPA also required conditions, including coordination with the town’s environmental program for any sea‑turtle monitoring; staff noted that if monitoring is required, the applicant (the county) would bear the cost.

The variance motion (reported as moved by John McClain and seconded by Don Suddath) passed 5–1; the special exception vote to allow like‑for‑like replacement over the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) passed unanimously. Because the variance was not unanimous, staff said the variance will proceed to the town council for a second hearing.

Next steps: staff will finalize permit details and the development order; if town council declines the variance, the project could proceed at the code‑allowed dimensions (a 6‑ft boardwalk) under the special exception, subject to final permitting and funding arrangements.