Fort Myers sets March 16 hearing on outdoor storage areas

Fort Myers is considering changes to land development rules that would give the city’s administration more flexibility to approve outdoor storage uses in commercial and industrial areas.

A public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Land Development Code is set for March 16 during City Council’s regular meeting.

Fort Myers Community Development staff proposed the changes to address the growing need for commercial outdoor storage and display areas in nonresidential zones. The proposed amendments would give administrators the ability to consider and approve outdoor storage space without lengthy public hearings for rezoning or planned unit developments.

Under the proposed changes, the Community Development Director could consider deviations that allow limited outdoor storage on up to 65% of a property, and to allow it in the front half of the property with appropriate buffering and screening, city meeting documents said.

It also would add a new Commercial Intensive Non-Residential zoning category for outdoor storage, increasing the allowable area for outdoor storage, including parking for construction or fleet vehicles.

The amendment would remove language prohibiting storage less than 15 feet from a right of way and allow for landscaping to replace walls for screening and buffering, among other changes.