The Sanibel Planning Commission unanimously (with Commissioner Erika Steiner recused as she is on the Community Housing & Resources board and Commissioner Ken Colter absent) voted to recommend Sanibel City Council authorize a conditional use permit to increase density for the Riverview Apartments below-market-rate housing (BMRH) project.
CHR proposes a redevelopment of the Riverview Apartments located behind 7 Eleven on Periwinkle Way (although without roadway frontage) and increased density for BMRH for 15 units in a single multi-family structure, three stories over parking, and associated facilities including 20 off-street parking spaces, mailboxes, trash, and recycling.
The building design is consistent “Island-style” architecture, as required by the Land Development Code, exhibiting “Old Florida” design elements such as porches, balconies, and a pitched roof with overhangs
The lot is surrounded on three sides by commercial developments – 7 Eleven (north), Fish House (west), VCA Animal Hospital (east) – and to the south is the Sanibel River. The property consists of approx. 0.95 acre. Access to the property is provided via a 20-foot-wide easement through 7 Eleven to Periwinkle Way. The property was developed pre-city incorporation with 10 dwelling units (four efficiency and six one-bedroom apartments) in a single multi-family structure. The units were dedicated to the BMRH rental program starting in 1982. The property would be permitted up to three dwelling units based on the development intensity map of the Sanibel Plan. The Riverview Apartments were destroyed by Hurricane Ian, and, in 2023, the building was demolished with intent to redevelop new below-market-rate housing units…