Your top choice for compassionateIn-Home Care in Harbor Beach, FL

Some homeowners are worried Airbnb’s and short-term vacation rentals are taking over the community.

City leaders in Indian Harbour beach (IHB) are starting a new program to crack down on out-of-control properties, but state law makes regulating the surge in demand a challenge.

In an IHB neighborhood, some homes have yard signs with a simple message: No Airbnb in IHB.

"We’re just trying to figure out what can we do to protect our homes and protect our children," said Leigh McElroy who calls IHB home and is worried about the future of the small, close-knit town.

She isn’t alone.

"They’re constantly out back partying. we’ve had domestic disputes going on till 5 a.m.," said Adam Dyer who also lives in IHB. The father of four says out of six homes right by him, three are short-term rentals.

Both these homeowners say their streets are lined with short-term rentals and cars spilling into the street, blocking sidewalks. On the weekends and holidays, partying is constant.

"They’re just come and go – here one night, gone the next repeatedly," Dyer added.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Indian Harbour Beach voted to implement a new surveillance program to track rentals. The city can’t stop more from coming. but they want to know where the homes are and make sure they're operating up to code.

The new artificial intelligence system costs around $30,000 per year and also comes with a 24/7 hotline neighbors can call with concerns at properties.

"If you live in a nice quiet neighborhood, then all of a sudden, on one side or both sides of you is a different person three or four nights a week, your neighborhood has changed overnight," said John Coffey who’s the City Manager for IHB.

He’d like to see common sense legislation passed to help cities mitigate these issues but is hoping this new program will offer some relief for taxpayers.

The city estimates there are more than 200 vacation properties in the 2.5 square mile city right now.

"Out of every 10 houses, three to four homes are now Airbnb’s," McElroy added.

Because of the uncertainty of not knowing who is staying in nearby homes, the Dyer family doesn’t let their children go past a nearby stop sign when playing outside. They say it’s disappointing because the close-knit element of the city was what encouraged them to settle down there.

"We need to bring that community feel back because I think it’s something that’s worth fighting for," he concluded.

These homeowners would like to see density restrictions to limit how many single-family homes in a neighborhood could be rented out. That would require changing state law, so they’re asking local legislators to get involved in the issue.

Rick Neale

After a fisherman beat a shark to death with a hammer at an Indian Harbour Beach park, city officials are proposing a new set of fishing regulations designed to protect swimmers and surfers.

On Dec. 20, the unidentified fisherman caught the roughly 5-foot shark, fatally clubbed it with a hammer, and dragged its carcass back into the surf at or immediately south of Bicentennial Park — though ocean fishing is prohibited at the city's beach parks.

Video of the shark incident was captured by the nearby Harbour House Oceanfront surf cam, and the images went viral on Facebook.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues investigating the incident, spokesperson Ashlee Brahier Sklute said Thursday.

More:Police: Shark beaten over the head with a hammer at Indian Harbour Beach park

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Tuesday, the Indian Harbour Beach City Council will give first reading to an ordinance that would beef up surf fishing regulations at the city's two beach parks, Bicentennial and Millennium.

Historically, fishing and surfing have been prohibited by city code at both beach parks. However, police enforcement is problematic because officers have only two recourses: arresting people for misdemeanor code violations or trespassing people from the parks, an agenda memo said.

If enacted, Indian Harbour Beach's draft ordinance would:

“Obviously, there was a recent event that occurred that received quite a bit of notoriety and attention on the news," Mayor Scott Nickle said during the Jan. 10 City Council meeting.

“This person decided to bludgeon the shark to death with a hammer and did not even bother to take the shark away. Instead, he put the dead carcass back in the ocean," Nickle said.

"My concern with those types of activities, and that kind of thing in particular, is A. chumming the water, B. you’re putting a large fish carcass out in the ocean, which frankly is going to attract more large fish and sharks to the area — when people are out there surfing or there’s children out there swimming," he said.

"I certainly don’t want to see that mixture going on," he said.

Indian Harbour Beach does not have an animal cruelty ordinance. If approved Tuesday, the City Council would consider a second, final reading of the fishing regulation ordinance on Feb. 28.

In 2019, the FWC prohibited chumming from the beach while fishing for sharks or other fish species after a multi-year lobbying campaign led by former Melbourne Beach mayor Jim Simmons. Simmons was surfing in March 2014 in Melbourne Beach off Avenue B — one block north of popular Ocean Park — while a group of beachcasters used a kayak to dump "buckets of blood and guts and grouper heads" into the waves 30 feet of his surfboard.

The FWC defines chum as "fish, fish parts, other animal product, or synthetic products created or intended to chemically or otherwise resemble animal products placed in the water for the purpose of attracting a marine organism."

Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1

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For more than three decades, Melo's Italian Ristorante in Indian Harbour Beach was a place for family celebrations, intimate dinners and celebrity sightings.

Carmelo Puleio, who owned the restaurant for 33 years, cooked his final meal there March 7. The restaurant closed in the fall, but Puleio wanted to end with a final meal.

"Melo's been wanting to retire for about a year, year and a half," said his wife Lisa, who worked at the restaurant for 30 years. "When COVID came, it made it easier to do it now."

Carmelo Puleio was born in Italy. That's where he learned to cook. He moved to New York, then traveled south to open a pizzeria in Indialantic in 1985. A few years later, he opened Melo's.

"All these years, Melo's always been in the kitchen cooking," Lisa Puleio said. "He did all the cooking, and I ran the front. He cooked everything from scratch, the bread, the salad dressings, the sauces."

Puleio kept cooking last year, even after the pandemic closed restaurants to everything but takeout and delivery.

As restrictions eased, customers returned, but the Puleios had the building up for sale. It was purchased by Aloha Pet & Animal Hospital next door, Lisa Puleio said.

"We've actually been closed since September," she said. "Sunday night, we had a handful of customers come in for last meal at Melo's."

Susan A. Romano was among those attending the dinner.

"What made Melo’s so special to my family and me was the immeasurable warmth of the owners and staff," Romano said. "We first went there for the delicious food, but we continuously returned for the incredible service. Melo is a magician in the kitchen and created the most delicious meals from seafood to steak to pasta. No one, and I mean no one, makes grouper bites like that man."

Romano said her family celebrated countless milestones at the restaurant, and regularly brought out-of-town guests there.

Other Space Coast visitors to dine at Melo's included Liza Minelli, Carol Burnett, Tony Bennett and John Oates. Stars performing at the King Center in Melbourne often stopped by the restaurant for an Italian meal after the show.

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"It was nice to see those stars come in there," Lisa Puleio said, but their regulars were the real VIPs.

Getting to know their customers has been the best part of the job, she said.

"A lot of them we became friends with," she said. "That's the one thing we'll really miss about it. I still have Melo cook for me, so I don't lose out as far as that."

Now that the restaurant is closed, the Puleios hope to travel and spend more time with their grandchildren.

"While we are sad that this Brevard institution is closing for good, we’re so happy for Carmelo and Lisa as they begin a new and exciting chapter of their lives," Romano said. "They will be missed."

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WATCH: Are you looking for an ideal luxury independent living facility for yourself or a loved one? Greg Kennedy, vice president of Zon Beachside Assisted Luxury Living, located at 1894 S. Patrick Drive in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, talks with Space Coast Daily’s Giles Malone about the exciting new residences that will soon be available at this world class community on Florida’s Space Coast.

THE RESIDENCES AT ZON BEACHSIDE: A 45 UNIT LUXURY INDEPENDENT LIVING FACILITY BREAKS GROUND IN INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, FLORIDA

BREVARD COUNTY • INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, FLORIDA – Zon Beachside Assisted Living & Memory Care and Zon Management recently broke ground on The Residences at Zon Beachside in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, a 45-unit luxury Independent Living Facility scheduled to open in the Spring of 2023.

The Residences at Zon Beachside will be an additional senior living offering located conveniently next to the Zon Beachside Assisted Living & Memory Care facility, enabling residents to age in place.

Offering apartments ranging from Studios to 2-Bedroom Suites combined with resort style living, The Residences located at 1898 South Patrick Drive in the beachside community of Indian Harbour Beach is ideally located for the extensive amenities of the island and is just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and steps from the intracoastal.

The Residences will offer several dining options for residents including The Forge Restaurant for an unparalleled experience with onsite aged meats combined with a fusion of classic and contemporary options every evening.

Additionally, residents can enjoy the Flywheel Deli during the day and while dining poolside.

Extensive amenities include the Mathers Tap Room with nine self-pour options, Aces Card Lounge, Hobby House Craft Center, Mind & Soul Studio, Fit4Life Fitness Center, Seagrapes Market and 24/7 concierge service.

“We are excited to bring The Residences at Zon Beachside to the local community,” said John Trewhitt, President of Zon Management, the developer and manager of the community.

“Our market leading reputation is built on offering exceptional amenities, unmatched care and industry leading technology. These attributes will be the cornerstone for this new independent living facility at Zon Beachside.”

Zon Management, with founders John Trewhitt and Greg Kennedy, developed Zon Beachside Assisted Living & Memory Care in 2016. The community has grown from 84 units to 123 units through multiple expansions by developing a best-in-class operational model.

A focus on quality, service and technology are the hallmarks of Zon Management.

For additional information, visit TheResidencesatZonBeachside.com, ZonBeachside.com or contact Greg Kennedy at 321-777-8840.

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By VISIT FLORIDA staff

Your Guide to beaches near Port Charlotte, FL

Editor's note: Port Charlotte beaches and parks are listed geographically from north to south.

Beaches with this symbol have beach wheelchairs available, either provided as a courtesy, or available for (prearranged) rent and delivery from private companies.

Unspoiled and free from crowds, the naturally beautiful beaches near Port Charlotte, FL range from the barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico to the shores of Charlotte Harbor. This area is world-renowned for tarpon fishing. If you are eager to see fish up close, charter a boat and enjoy the sport first-hand. Port Charlotte beaches off Charlotte Harbor are also a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, shelling, and simply relaxing.

Englewood Beach

Englewood Beach is located near the Charlotte-Sarasota County line. Beachgoers will find taupe-colored sand and tufts of sea oats growing along the dune line. There is also a path leading to a more secluded white-sand beach.

Port Charlotte Beach Park

Port Charlotte Beach is a harbor beach highlighted by its popular complex, which features a beach club with boat ramp, fishing pier, grills, a pool and sporting activities like tennis, volleyball, basketball and horseshoes. Across the harbor from the complex, you'll find the quaint shops and tantalizing restaurants of Fishermen's Village. It's one of the more popular beaches near Port Charlotte, FL.

Stump Pass Beach State Park

At the southern tip of Manasota Key and Peterson and Whidden Islands, Stump Pass has 1.3 miles of shoreline perfect for shelling, picnics, sunning and surf fishing. The soft sand is practically untouched and very secluded. Nearby nature trails provide short walks through subtropical vegetation.

Don Pedro Island State Park

Located in Charlotte County between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island has approximately one mile of white beach and elevated sand dunes. There is swimming in the Gulf. In the summer, you can see the nests of Loggerhead sea turtles, but take care not to disturb them.

Boca Grande Beach

Set on the southern tip of Gasparilla Island, this park overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, and comes equipped with picnic areas, grills and restrooms. This is a nice place to rest and perhaps spot a tarpon rolling through the summer waters.

Gasparilla Island State Park

The Port Charlotte beaches off the Gulf of Mexico provide year 'round excellent saltwater fishing in the waters adjacent to the park and in the deep waters of Boca Grande Pass. There is a two picnic area near the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, built in 1890 and the oldest building on Gasparilla Island. Enjoy time swimming, shelling and picnicking around this area. There are dangerous currents in the pass; however, so swimming is not permitted in this area.

Wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-serve basis.