Preserve the PUD:
Save the Cocohatchee Bay Preserve

Urgent Action Needed

Commissioners voting 3/24/2015: 

 

1.  Sign the petition (link)

 

2. EMAIL and CALL The County Commissioners who will be voting 3/24

• Donna Fiala:    (239) 252-8601       DonnaFiala@colliergov.net

• Georgia Hiller  (239) 252-8602        GeorgiaHiller@colliergov.net

• Tom Henning   (239) 252-8605         TomHenning@colliergov.net

• Penny Taylor   (239) 252-8603           PennyTaylor@colliergov.net

• Tim Nance     (239) 252-8604          TimNance@colliergov.net
   

3.  Attend the County Commissioners meeting on March 24, 8:30 when this matter is scheduled for a vote. 

Collier Co. Government Center- Commission Chambers (3rd floor)

3299 Tamiami Trail East, Naples FL 34112 

 

 

Background

In the past few months, area residents watched in horror as Lodge-Abbott Associates, a Detroit-based billion-dollar developer began clear-cutting acre after acre of pristine natural woodlands and mangrove wetlands west of Vanderbilt Drive as they prepare to build five 17-20 story residential towers collectively housing approximately 600 new condominiums.

 

The extensive building project we see today results from a $287 million lawsuit initiated by Lodge-Abbott after initial disapproval by the county. The lawsuit was settled in 2008 by the Board of County Commissioners to avoid the uncertainty and extensive cost of the litigation. A part of that settlement allowed the developer to build an exclusive private golf course on the east side of Vanderbilt Drive and just north of Wiggins Pass Road or to leave the land in its current natural state.

 

About one year ago, Lodge-Abbott requested that the county agree to reopen the settlement agreement because the developer had found the market demand for golf in Collier County was not what it once was and because construction of yet another golf course was not considered a profitable enough use of this property. Initially, the developer requested permission to build 280 dwelling units, certain amenities and road access from US 41 on the land proposed for a golf course. The furor over this request resulted in a HUGE outpouring of opposition from local residents. Shortly thereafter Lodge-Abbott came forward with yet another plan for the 175 acre property, some 62 luxury single-family homes on half acre lots. That is the proposal that was recently approved by the Collier County Planning Commission and forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for their approval.

 

The vote by our county commissioners is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 24. The commissioners must first agree to reopen the Cocohatchee Bay PUD Settlement Agreement potentially meaning that all aspects of the settlement and PUD could become subject to renegotiation. This could include the developer’s waiver of rights to sue the county in matters associated with the settlement. Secondly, the commissioners would then have to agree to rezone the 175 acres in question from a golf course to residential housing.

 

Here is the problem. Once the county agrees to reopen the settlement agreement, there is no guarantee that Lodge-Abbott will build its 62 luxury homes and not continue to request further changes until it obtains the most lucrative use of the property possible. If the current settlement agreement as approved by the courts stands as written, Lodge-Abbott would be committed to either building a golf course on the property, something they have said they do not want to do, or leaving the property in its natural state with no rights to sue the county over its enforcement of the agreement.

 

Lodge-Abbott’s record has not been good. They have bulldozed and clear-cut hundreds of acres with little regard for the habitat in preparation for their five condominium towers. They have already sued the county and won significant variances to county zoning regulations allowing much higher density, taller structures and only 100 foot setbacks between the buildings. Now, they want more. They have shown little regard for the neighborhood in the past and have demonstrated no reason to be trusted now. Why substitute the certainty of the settlement agreement for the complete uncertainty of rezoning especially given this developer’s past conduct?

 

Now is the time for action.

 

Now is the last chance we may have to stop this developer.

 

Now is the last time opportunity we have to convince our county commissioners of what is best for our neighborhood.

 

Attend the new Neighborhood Information Meeting on February 26 at the Naples Grand Beach Hotel (Orchid Room) near Clam Pass at 5:30 PM. 

 

Help us all speak with one voice.  Attend the Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 24 when this matter is scheduled for a vote to be sure they know what we want. We must act now!