On August 13, the Planning Commission approved permits for Richard Johnson to open a grocery store called “A Bit of Bailey’s” at 975 Rabbit Road, marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Charley. Johnson, a tenant under Rosalita’s Cantina Rabbit Road, received unanimous support from the Planning Commission, with a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Kate Sergeant recused herself due to a business interest in the center, and Commissioner Paul Nichols was absent.
One significant condition of approval is the requirement to add 10 more bicycle parking spots, increasing the total to 30, due to the expected increase in traffic. This condition is one of 14 stipulations set by the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Lyman Welch requested a traffic study to assess the impact of the new grocery store on the area. Welch emphasized the need for additional data, such as an engineering study, to ensure the proposed use wouldn’t adversely affect traffic. Johnson responded by stating that while they did consider vehicle access alongside bicycle and pedestrian access, the projected increase in traffic would be minimal. He also noted that a portion of the square footage is dedicated to administrative offices rather than retail, which he believes would further mitigate traffic concerns.
Johnson highlighted that the store would primarily serve the western side of the island, with hopes of attracting customers from the east as well. He drew comparisons to their Captiva store, which is larger but has not significantly impacted traffic. Johnson concluded by expressing confidence that the new store would reinvigorate the Rabbit Road area without exacerbating traffic issues, particularly since Rosalita’s peak traffic occurs later in the day, while Bailey’s would attract customers earlier.
The 2.89-acre property at 975 Rabbit Road is located within the General Commercial District and Mid-Island Ridge ecological zone. The Rabbit Road Center, a commercial development built in 1979, currently houses several businesses, including a 210-seat restaurant (Rosalita’s) and a vehicle rental service (Sanibel Carts & On Island Jeeps). “A Bit of Bailey’s” will occupy units three through five, previously home to Sanibel Skin Spa.
In addition to the grocery store, the project includes the addition of a new trash and recycling facility and the designation of a loading zone near the back entrance of the center. The property owner, Rosalita’s Cantina Rabbit Road, is responsible for maintaining the existing parking spaces and restoring the landscape buffers.
City staff recognized that the Rabbit Road Center’s proximity to the shared use path and several large neighborhoods would likely result in a significant portion of customers arriving by bike or on foot. As such, they recommended the establishment of an improved interconnectivity path from the southwest parking lot to the shared use path and an increase in bike parking facilities to accommodate no fewer than 30 bicycles.
The parking allocation at Rabbit Road Center is as follows:
- Rosalita’s restaurant requires a minimum of 84 spaces for its 210-seat capacity and carryout services.
- The vehicle rental business needs 10 spaces for employees and vehicle inventory, plus an additional eight for customer parking.
- A vacant unit, based on previous use, requires 13 spaces.
- This leaves 68 spaces for “A Bit of Bailey’s,” with an estimated need for 32 spaces. The store is expected to have no more than 10 employees on a shift, leaving 58 spaces available for customers.
City staff also evaluated the parking requirements for the retail space, determining that the 5,700 square-foot grocery store would need a minimum of 29 spaces. Additionally, the availability of delivery or pick-up services would reduce parking demand during peak hours, addressing potential concerns about parking overflow.
During the meeting, local resident Barbara Joy Cooley expressed support for Johnson’s application, recalling a time when the Rosalita’s center was a bustling hub without any issues related to use intensity. However, Commissioner Ken Colter voiced concern about the addition of a third grocery store on the island, questioning the long-term impact and the possibility of the store becoming permanent. Johnson acknowledged the uncertainty, stating that it was too early to predict whether “A Bit of Bailey’s” would remain a permanent fixture.
Other conditions of approval include restoring vegetation and landscape buffers, removing unpermitted shell/stone and hurricane debris, and enhancing the interconnectivity path to facilitate access for bicyclists and pedestrians from units three through five to the shared use path.
