Boca Community Access Alliance

10/04/2025

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As reported in this week’s Boca Beacon

Lee County opens up official portal for island Parking Committee

■ STAFF REPORT

Lee County has opened up the official portal to apply for the Boca Grande Parking Committee. The committee was announced Aug. 5, and applications were expanded to a wider audience in September.

The application is online.

The landing page for the commission is up to date, and shows that all the committee positions are vacant. It also contains the number for the parking committee staff liaison. People can apply at any time. Each commission member has the right to appoint three members to the committee.

The county told the Beacon that applicants are welcome to submit a resume with their application. It is not required, but always welcome. The top of the application also says where to mail or email the completed paperwork. Appointments to the committee will be made at regularly scheduled board meetings. That agenda item is always listed under “Commissioners’ Items/ Committee Appointments.”

Steps include: 1. Go to leegov.com 2. On the top, or the page near the upper left, you will see the word GOVERNMENT in white. Hover over that and select the dropdown menu item called Advisory Committees.

That takes you to County Commission Advisory Committees.

3. Then look in the middle of the second paragraph on the landing page for the hyper link to “Advisory Committee Search” 4. Then look in the searchable box on that landing page. You will see Boca Grande Parking Committee.

Click to highlight it and then hit the box “Retrieve Committee Info”

There are applications online in both Word and PDF format on the Advisory Committee page.
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Visit Leegov.com to find useful information for residents, businesses and visitors of Lee County in Southwest Florida.

09/17/2025

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Lee County Board of Commissioners voted to expand a newly created Boca Grande Parking Panel to 15 members, with each of the five c ...

09/13/2025

There’s still time to request a seat on the panel. We learned that you must be a resident, renter or business owner on Boca Grande. You must email Lee County Commissioners to request the seat prior to the BOCC meeting on September 16th and plan to attend the BOCC meeting.

Lee County will vote Tuesday on forming a Boca Grande parking committee. Critics argue the proposed members don’t represent all residents and visitors impacted.

09/10/2025

We are officially on hold until commissioners finish their talks with Lee County. Updates will come here only when there is actual news or action needed.

09/09/2025

Charlotte county commissioners are asking Lee county for a resolution to permanently restore parking on the numbered streets.

✅ They are drafting a resolution to restore parking.
✅ They voted for the county attorney to research SB 180 for an injunction if Lee County refuses to work together for a resolution.
✅ They voted to move forward with a resolution then reassess legal action after 30 days

Big win today. Thank you to all who supported the efforts 🎉🎉

09/09/2025

Today is the day! Please plan on attending the commissioner’s meeting and let them know how you feel about the parking ban. They need to hear from their constituents. Here is some helpful information if you would like to speak at the meeting.

09/08/2025

📢 Community Update: Tomorrow’s Charlotte County Commission Meeting

When & Where:
📍 Charlotte County Commissioners Meeting Room
🗓 Tuesday, Sept 9
⏰ Arrive by 8:30 AM for the 9 AM meeting

✅ Instructions for Speakers

9 AM Session (Agenda Item M-2):

Arrive early (8:30 AM) to get a seat.

Fill out a speaker card when the room opens.

During our item, walk up to the podium when there’s an opening, share your name, and speak for up to 3 minutes.

1 PM Session (Public Comment):

No card needed.

Simply arrive at 1 PM and step to the podium when it’s your turn.

State your name before your comments.

Support in the Room:

Attendees may raise their hands in support when others are speaking.

Clapping is not permitted. Instead, use the sign language gesture for applause (wave both hands in the air) — this is an accepted way to show agreement during meetings.

🗣️ Speaking Points (Choose 3)
When speaking, please select three points from the categories below. Keep it calm, respectful, and solution-focused:

Economic & Tourism

Harms Charlotte County businesses on- and off-island.

Loss of tourism revenue in Placida, Cape Haze, Rotonda, and SGC.

Loss of GIBA toll revenue (could mean higher tolls).

Loss of storm recovery dollars for shoreline restoration.

Charlotte County takes the economic hit while Lee shields “approved visitors.”

Fairness & Ordinance Issues

Discriminatory “invitation-only” parking privileges.

Excessive fines (900% higher than Charlotte County norms).

Redefinition of “vehicles” blocks e-bikes and even shuttle/bus drop-offs.

Safety & Access

Residents pushed to Gasparilla Island State Park and Stump Pass.

Milton Pass has made Stump Pass unsafe — strong currents where families used to swim.

No lifeguards present → urgent need for “No Swimming” signs.

Cross-County / Legal

Ordinance creates a cross-county problem.

Home Rule powers have limits — ordinances can be preempted.

Florida Supreme Court affirms customary use rights for beaches.

Political / Leadership

Residents feel ignored by county, state, and governor’s offices.

Commissioners can take the high road and act now.

“Deeds are more meaningful than words.”

🌟 Solutions to Include in Your Comments
Please try to mention some (or all) of these solutions when you speak:

Begin interlocal agreement talks with Lee County.

Add an Interlocal Agreement item: extend A-Passes to all Charlotte County residents — it is discriminatory to only extend this to Gasparilla Island residents.

Ask for a Charlotte County Attorney review of the ordinance.

Ask if the attorney can file an injunction while the review is underway.

Request commissioners follow up with Senator Ben Albritton and Representative Danny Nix on their reviews and next steps.

Request a formal follow-up from Charlotte County Commissioners.

Explore shuttle option:

Restart Charlotte County’s Englewood Beach shuttle and move it to Boca Grande.

✅ Key Reminder: Keep your comments factual, respectful, and solution-focused. We’re here to protect access, support local businesses, and keep our community safe.

09/08/2025

Speak Up 🗣️ Charlotte County!

09/07/2025

Community Update: We Need Your Voice on Tuesday, 9/9! 📣

Thank you to everyone who joined the Sept. 3rd meeting– it was a very positive step forward. 🙌 Together, we are showing how important it is to protect fair and equal beach access for all.

➡️ The next step is the Charlotte County Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 9th.
We need as many community members as possible to speak! You’ll have 3 minutes to share your perspective.

You can choose:
🕘 Morning Session (starts at 9:00 AM) – under the Englewood/ Boca Grande Beach Access agenda item. Please note: you may have to wait 3–4 hours before being called to speak.
🕐 Public Input Session (1:00 PM) – a quicker format where you simply stand, state your name, and share your comments.

📩 Please email us at [email protected] and let us know:
1. If you will attend
2. Which time slot you prefer (9 AM or 1 PM)

Your voice matters. Together, we can make a difference. 💙

— The BCAA Volunteer Team

09/06/2025