Alva residents worry about future of 561-acre ranch after builder exits

ALVA, Fla. (WINK)—A major development project in Alva is now in question after a key builder has supposedly backed out of a deal to transform a 561-acre ranch.

Lee County says development is still on the table. The applicant was granted an extension to submit additional information for a rezoning request, which is now due June 30.

For some Alva residents, that's not the update they were hoping for. The property features cattle grazing, lush green space, and homes sitting on multiple acres.

Sandy Mae, an Alva neighbor, described the area's character.

"It's very quiet, and most of the houses, and all are way off the highway," Mae said. "Everybody has seven to 10 acres. So we're spread out. And it's very quiet until the builders came along, and now it's pretty noisy."

That shift is now sparking concern, with signs popping up throughout the community reading "Keep Alva Rural" and "Preserve Our Rural Roots." One community member told WINK News he heard at a public meeting that D.R. Horton has backed out of the deal, though the company has not confirmed it.

Mae expressed concerns about potential impacts on development.

"It'll be too, too crowded and out where we are, Alva, we don't have shopping centers that are big or a lot of restaurants or malls or anything like that, it's just they can have it all in Fort Myers," Mae said.

WINK News reached out to D.R. Horton and the developer applicant to confirm the project's status and what's next for the property. Our team is waiting for a response.

The future of the 561-acre ranch remains unclear as residents await answers about what lies ahead for their community.