Punta Gorda Board of Zoning Appeals continues AdventHealth parking-variance hearing to June 22

The Punta Gorda Board of Zoning Appeals voted May 29 to continue a quasi-judicial hearing on AdventHealth Port Charlotte’s request for multiple parking variances for a proposed hospital campus at 26072 Glascow Avenue until June 22, 2026, so the applicant can revise parking-ratio calculations.

Rachel Barry, who identified herself as a zoning official, told the board the application (V012026) covers an approximately 17.46-acre parcel and that Jake Pretzel of Catalyst Design Group is the authorized agent for AdventHealth Port Charlotte, Inc. Barry said the applicant seeks variances from Punta Gorda Code chapter 26 (sections 10.2A, 10.3A, 10.7B and 10.7C) tied to parking requirements to allow construction of the proposed hospital campus.

Barry told the board staff received a continuance request the previous afternoon because the parking ratios proposed by the applicant vary by phase — the applicant plans to increase parking in phases one and two and decrease it in phase three — and the numbers need to be recalculated and resubmitted. She also noted a typographical error in the staff report concerning the parking ratio for section 10.7B and clarified for the record that the report’s phrasing was reversed; staff advised the board to continue the item so corrected materials could be provided.

With the public hearing open, Michael Curley identified himself as a neighbor who lives behind the proposed hospital and asked only for a copy of the project plans or an outline to understand what is proposed. "I live behind the proposed hospital," Curley said, and asked for plan materials. Barry said she would provide Curley with project documents.

Charles Lewis moved to continue the hearing to June 22, 2026, at 2 p.m.; the motion was seconded, put to a voice vote and carried. The board set the continuance date and indicated the matter will return for further consideration after the applicant submits revised parking calculations.

The board did not take final action on the requested variances on May 29. The item will be on the Board of Zoning Appeals agenda at the June 22 meeting for further review with corrected parking data and any additional public comment.