Punta Gorda City Council took the first step toward repealing its current Land Development Regulations during its June 4 meeting, but not before agreeing to seek expert legal advice on how to proceed.
In a 3-2 vote, Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to revert to the city’s 2023 LDRs, permitting less building height and density than current regulations. Council also unanimously authorized Interim City Manager Melissa Reichert to hire a land-use attorney to guide the process, with a second reading of the ordinance scheduled for July 2.
Land use has been a divisive issue in Punta Gorda, sparking political controversy and contributing to the 2023 and 2024 electoral defeats of four former City Council members, including then-Mayor Lynne Matthews. The controversy began when the former owner of Fishermen’s Village proposed building a large hotel and condominiums, projects allowed under the current LDRs. Those plans never moved forward after the owner filed for bankruptcy.
Four incumbents ran on platforms opposing the current LDRs, predicting they would destroy the city’s small-town charm.
Mayor Debi Lux, who was part of that movement, was elected to Council in 2023 and Greg Julian, Jeannine Polk and Janis Denton were elected in November 2024.
Justin Brand, president of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, told Council that of the chamber’s 721 members, 486 have Punta Gorda addresses and members expressed concerns the city is reverting to outdated restrictions that would hurt businesses. He said there is “less business today than the city had before Hurricane Charley 21 years ago.”
Polk, a former teacher and current business owner, responded that the city’s economic challenges go beyond land-use rules. She pointed out that all local schools qualify for Title I funding due to high numbers of low-income students. “People have the misconception that LDRs are going to create businesses. It’s all about economics,” she said, noting that Punta Gorda and Charlotte County lack the affluence seen in places such as Naples and Sarasota.
A number of residents who attended the meeting urged Council to proceed slowly and seek expert advice, while others applauded the potential overturn of the current regulations.
Resident Tim Ritchie, outspoken critic of the former City Council and the current LDRs, said “This was all rammed down our throats.”
Council member Melissa Lockhart, who also served on the previous Council, and Vice Mayor Greg Julian weren’t in favor of moving the ordinance forward before receiving more advice and information. They voted against the proposed ordinance.
Julian advocated for a surgical approach to revise only parts of the LDRs, while Lockhart raised concerns about the city’s compliance with state legislation.
The land-use attorney will be charged with reviewing the LDRs in addition to determining if they conform with the state’s Bert Harris Act’s land-use laws. Enacted in 1995, it addresses concerns that governmental regulations could unfairly diminish the value of private property without compensation to owners.
Interim City Attorney Steven Leskovich is drafting a Vested Rights Determination ordinance to protect property owners who began projects under the current rules.
Lockhart stressed the need for compliance with Senate Bill 250, a law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June 2023. It limits the ability of counties and municipalities to impose certain restrictions on construction and redevelopment efforts in areas impacted by hurricanes Ian and Nicole.
Reichert said a land-use attorney will provide “valuable guidance to advise the City Council of our city’s course of action to have LDRs in compliance with Senate Bill 250 and reflect the desires of the community.”
The next City Council meeting is June 18.
