HomeAbout COTI

Since 1975, a consistent voice for Sanibel

The Committee of the Islands works to ensure good local government, protect the environment, and preserve the sanctuary character of our barrier island community.

Our Origin Story

How COTI began

In the early 1970s, Lee County's plans would have transformed Sanibel: ten times today's housing, a projected population of 90,000, and a four-lane highway down the island's center. Residents organized — and on November 5, 1974, 63.6% voted to incorporate as an independent city.

By July 1975, the leaders of that movement formed the Committee of the Islands, created to represent the interests of island residents.

The Foundation

The Sanibel Plan

One of the new city's first acts was creating the Sanibel Plan — a land use code built around the island's unique ecology, still guiding Sanibel today. Development would be far less intense than county officials once imagined, with maximum protection for sensitive areas like mangroves and wetlands.

When legal battles nearly bankrupted the young city, 124 residents — many of them COTI members — personally contributed over $300,000 to keep Sanibel afloat.

Read the Sanibel Plan →

Our Committees

Communication
Membership
Land Use/Governance
Adaption, Mitigation & Resiliency
Environment
Transportation

2026-2027 COTI Strategic Priorities

1. Sanibel Plan Update:
Actively participate in the civic debate regarding possible updates to the Sanibel Plan and encourage the community to do so. Identify positions on proposed changes by City Council, and advocate for or against those positions based on the Board’s belief in their consistency with the COTI and City of Sanibel vision statements.

2. Transportation:
Monitor the policies and projects the city is considering related to the transportation system, including the SUP, and advocate for solutions that the Board believes best serve the needs of the community and that reflect the priorities of sanctuary and small-town community as outlined in the COTI and City of Sanibel vision statements.

3. Resilience:
Monitor the policies and projects the city is considering related to community resilience, including issues related to adaptation of climate impacts and mitigation of future impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advocate for the islands to pursue solutions that can make the region a model of coastal resilience. This also includes taking positions in response to regional, state, and Federal policies related to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

4. City elections:
Track activities related to city elections, including the March 2027 City Council elections, and advocate for outcomes that the Board believes best serve the priorities of sanctuary and small-town community as outlined in the COTI and City of Sanibel vision statements.

5. Water Quality:
Be vigilant to the issues that impact local and regional water quality, including stormwater runoff, septic, wetlands, sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, and water conservation, among others, and advocate for solutions that support the healthy ecosystems, wildlife, and human health that are central to preserving our sanctuary island community.

6. Wildlife:
Consider impacts on wildlife in policies and positions taken by the Board in response to city, county, state and federal government actions, or inaction, and engage the community to take action in support of wildlife and their ecosystems. Promote a diversity of native wildlife and control of invasive species.

7. Organization Development:
Seek to secure a strong future for the organization through activities to:

Grow membership
Generate community engagement and participation by COTI members
Conduct outreach to convey COTI’s activities and value to the community

Five Decades of Advocacy

What we've accomplished

Fifty years of showing up — at council meetings, in planning sessions, and alongside our neighbors. Expand any item to learn more.

Founding & Early Wins 1975–1990s

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Rate of Growth Ordinance

In 1978, COTI developed and promoted the Rate of Growth Ordinance to manage the flood of building permit requests in Sanibel's earliest years as an independent city.

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Pond Apple Park

Opposed a major resort and shopping center planned for Bailey Road and Periwinkle. The project was abandoned, and after a voter referendum, the City acquired the land — now Pond Apple Park.

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Resort Redevelopment Code

Actively supported revisions to the Land Development Code that established the ground rules for redeveloping aging structures in the Resort Housing District.

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Architectural & Design Standards

Pushed for design standards for redeveloped resorts, which grew into broader legislation covering all multifamily, commercial, and institutional development on Sanibel.

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Commercial Bus Regulations

Led efforts to restrict commercial bus use on Sanibel, resulting in legislation regulating bus parking and loading/unloading at the City's beach parking lots.

Protecting the Charter & Environment 2000s–2010s

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Charter Amendments — "People Choice"

In 2005, COTI members wrote and passed the "People's Choice" charter amendments, protecting Sanibel's building height, density, and ground coverage rules from being weakened without voter approval.

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Sanibel Vision Statement

COTI led the effort to enshrine the Sanibel Vision Statement in the City Charter — a permanent hierarchy of values for future governmental decisions.

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Forever Green

Successfully lobbied for the "Forever Green" charter amendment, requiring voter approval before any environmentally sensitive City land can be sold.

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Dark Skies

Supported Sanibel's "Dark Skies" outdoor lighting ordinance and later fought to shorten a proposed five-year delay in implementation down to three years.

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Water Quality

Supported regional water quality efforts, including the 2017 Senate Bill 10 and subsequent land acquisition for water treatment infrastructure.

Modern Advocacy 2020s–Present

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Post-Disaster Build-Back

Helped pass the City's first post-disaster build-back ordinance, ensuring owners of non-conforming properties can rebuild after a natural disaster.

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Traffic & Congestion

Active in the Mayor's traffic working group, advocating for seasonal beach parking pricing, causeway tolls, traffic data collection, and limits on new large events.

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Shared Use Path Safety

Supported safety improvements at path intersections and advocated for cycling vehicle width limits to protect residents and visitors.

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Protecting Island Character & Mobility

Opposed unsupervised Segway use, sightseeing tour bus operations, and Low Speed Vehicle (golf cart) rentals on city streets — each a fight to preserve Sanibel's pace and character against added congestion.

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Lee County 20/20 Land Acquisition

Supported the continuation of Lee County's 20/20 land acquisition program and advocated for specific parcels appropriate for environmental preservation.

1975
Found on Sanibel

50 years
Of island advocacy

100%
Volunteer-run & nonpartisan

Get Involved

Join us by becoming a member. Participate in COTI Conversations and make your voice heard. Become a member of a COTI Committee and help us keep our community informed. The COTI Committees are: Environment, Land Use/City Governance, Transportation, and Adaption, Mitigation and Resilience (SanCap Resilience).

Learn About Membership

Interested in the COTI By-Laws? Read them here.