Charlotte County Commissioners unanimously approved a planned development final detail site plan Tuesday for Harpoon Harry’s Restaurant & Sports Bar and Shops at Bayshore in Port Charlotte.  

The 16-acre site, 22801 Bayshore Road, will consist of a 33,354-square-foot Harpoon Harry’s and 24,569 square feet of retail space. Harpoon Harry’s will be relocating to the new site from its original waterfront location at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda.  

The property was zoned for planned development in 2022 and is less than two miles from Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor.  

Commissioner Christopher Constance pulled the item from the consent agenda for discussion to address his concerns regarding possible traffic congestion on Bayshore Road. 

Constance was concerned about traffic traveling north up Bayshore Road backing up due to no left turn lane with traffic moving south from Edgewater Drive. However, engineer Gary Bayne with Southwest Engineering & Design anticipates most of the traffic into the subject property will come from Edgewater Drive onto Bayshore Road. 

“That’s the area that we’re drawing from,” Bayne said. “I hate to use that term over the bridge, but a lot of people don’t like to come over the bridge to go to a restaurant here in Port Charlotte.” 

A traffic analysis determined the site doesn’t meet the threshold criteria for a left turn lane.  

Director of Public Works John Elias said he empathized with Constance’s concerns, but the county can’t require anything of the applicant, Southwest Engineering & Design, unless the traffic study identifies a need. 

“We’re hearing your concerns, but I think all indications are this isn’t tripping it, but the next thing that gets developed there will probably trip another turn lane,” he said. 

Commissioner Joe Tiseo said while the county wants safety, it also asked for this type of development since the site is in the Charlotte Harbor Community Redevelopment Agency area. 

“It’s not the fault of the applicant,” Tiseo said. “We actually asked for them to come and put stuff like this in there to revitalize the area, but we should be aware of safety conditions, things like that.” 

The waterfront project will include associated parking, stormwater retention and natural resources protection.