W
here should our com-
munity be heading in the
coming years? How do
we keep Pelican Bay the wonderful
place that attracted us here? These
are questions that engage the Pelican
Bay Foundation’s Strategic Planning
Committee (SPC).
To help answer these questions, the
SPC periodically surveys members
who make up the residential segment
of Pelican Bay. The survey findings
are used to guide Foundation plans
and actions. The most recent member
survey was conducted in 2014 and led
to a restatement of goals and objectives
around seven areas of strategic focus.
Adopted by the Foundation Board in
2015 and summarized below, these goals
reflect the values expressed by Pelican
Bay members. They provide a common
frame of reference for thinking about
current issues and longer-term
directions for Pelican Bay.
GOAL 1
Protect Pelican Bay’s Unique
Appeal: Our Mix of Beach and
Mangroves with Member Access
In Southwest Florida, beach-
front real estate is the gold
standard for desirable locations.
Not only does Pelican Bay have
a location on the Gulf, but we
have the added feature of the
Clam Bay mangrove estuary at
our doorstep. To top it all off, our
members enjoy private access to
the beach and our beachfront
amenities. The value that members
place on this set of locational factors
came out clearly in the most recent
member survey.
There are several ways the Founda-
tion can protect these attributes.
One is to be a vigilant steward of the
Clam Bay conservation area, which
was set aside as a nature preserve and
recreation area when Pelican Bay was
developed. The Foundation has suc-
ceeded Pelican Bay’s original developer
as the “declarant” responsible for ensur-
ing that the deed restrictions to protect
Clam Bay are observed.
Another way to support this goal is
to maintain the secured access to our
private boardwalk and beach amenities,
which is necessary to maintain their
private character. A third is to maintain
preparedness for environmental
challenges, such as storms and sea
level rise, a growing concern for beach-
front communities.
GOAL 2
Maintain and Enhance Pelican
Bay’s Beauty and Ambiance
The “appearance, views and overall
beauty of Pelican Bay” were among
the most important reasons given
by members for choosing to live in
Pelican Bay. Members also value
living in a safe, well-maintained
community. An immediate concern is
how the community might change in
response to escalating redevelopment
pressures. This has led the Founda-
tion to assess its role in promoting
desirable development patterns
and architectural character. Other
related objectives include working
with homeowner associations and the
Pelican Bay Services Division (PBSD)
Maintaining a
Premier Community:
Seven Goals for Pelican Bay
By Mary M. Johnson, Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
49
Pelican Bay Member Guide 2018
PelicanBay.org
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