Sanibel Planning Commission: Waterside Inn Redevelopment, Code Changes

The Sanibel Planning Commission will review the proposed redevelopment of the Waterside Inn and several amendments to the City's Land Development Code during its Tuesday, October 13, 2026, meeting. The public hearing begins at 9:00 a.m. in MacKenzie Hall at City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road.

Benchmark General Contractors submitted the application for the Waterside Inn redevelopment, located at 3033 West Gulf Drive in the Resort Housing District, on behalf of property owner Waterside Inn Holdings LLC.

The commission also will consider amendments to provisions governing development permits, nonconforming uses and structures, and below-market-rate housing. It will review resolutions recommending the City Council adopt ordinances updating conditional use authorization and extending deadlines for long-form development permit applications and waivers for nonconforming commercial structures to December 31, 2027.

Further agenda items include extending the deadline for reestablishing nonconforming uses or structures destroyed by Hurricane Ian. The commission will also examine proposed amendments to Chapter 102 of the Land Development Code concerning below-market-rate housing.

Residents can view the full agenda online. The meeting will be streamed live on the City of Sanibel’s Facebook page and a provided Vimeo link.