The new plans for the Beach Theater on Estero Boulevard were getting a lot of love when we posted them on our Facebook page Thursday. Owner Steve Boge will submit his 2-level restaurant and bar idea to the LPA Tuesday. Here’s what he hopes to get approved.
The property at 6425 Estero Blvd was, for many years, the only movie theater on the island. Boge is proposing redeveloping the property as a restaurant and bar on the first level above flood and a bar with games and entertainment area on the open ground floor. The second story above flood will be used for storage and office space. There are no plans to continue showing movies.
Boge is also proposing changes to the building exterior, including: a deck with shade structure for restaurant seating on the first level above flood, that extends toward Estero Blvd approximately 15 feet, a wall along the rear of the building on the first floor to block sounds and light from the bar and entertainment area to the adjacent single-family residential property, a buffer with a fence along the property line adjacent to the single family residential property, and landscaping.
Boge will be asking for special exceptions to allow outdoor entertainment, to be able to serve alcohol outside, and for outdoor seating. He’ll need to ask for those due to the proximity of residential neighborhoods. Based on his plans, current town code would require Boge to have 115 parking spaces. He’s asking for a variance to allow him to have 33 spaces. The space under the building, which Boge wants to convert to an outdoor bar, was used for parking for the theater…