Ave Maria expansion proposal could add thousands of new homes

A major expansion proposal for Ave Maria is drawing mixed reaction from residents ahead of a Collier County commission meeting Tuesday.

County commissioners are expected to discuss a proposal that would add more than 2,000 acres to the Ave Maria Stewardship Receiving Area and allow 6,738 additional homes in the growing eastern Collier County community.

If approved, the total number of allowed homes in Ave Maria would increase from 11,000 to more than 17,000. Plans also call for nearly 1 million additional square feet of commercial development.

The proposal would also increase the number of daily vehicle trips allowed in the community from 4,320 to 5,620.

Most of the proposed expansion would happen east of Camp Keais Road.

Residents Gulf Coast News spoke with said they have mixed feelings about the future growth.

Juan Calero said he moved to Ave Maria about five years ago because of the town’s quiet atmosphere.

“I moved mainly because of the small town feeling and the close-knit community,” Calero said.

Calero worries more development could increase traffic and impact the environment.

“It’s definitely not going to be good for the environment,” Calero said. “It’s going to be a lot of traffic.”

Environmental groups are also raising concerns about possible impacts to Florida panthers and wildlife corridors.

Matthew Schwartz, executive director of the South Florida Wildlands Association, said the proposed expansion areas overlap with important panther habitat and wildlife corridors.

“If the roads are just choked with cars, they can’t move through the habitat,” Schwartz said.

However, some business owners believe the additional growth could benefit the community economically.

Monica Long, manager of Stella Rose Way in Ave Maria, said the town’s recent growth has already helped bring in more customers.

“I think that as many people as will come to Ave Maria will help us grow as a business,” Long said.

Collier County commissioners are expected to discuss the proposal during Tuesday’s meeting at the Collier County Government Center.