Ave Maria approved for 6,738 more homes despite concerns over timing

AVE MARIA, Fla. (WINK) — An expansion of Ave Maria is moving forward after Collier County commissioners approved plans Tuesday that will allow thousands of additional homes to be built in the growing eastern Collier County community.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the proposal, which adds more than 2,000 acres to the town and allows 6,738 additional homes. The approval increases Ave Maria’s total approved residential capacity from 11,000 homes to 17,738 homes.

The expansion also includes nearly one million square feet of additional commercial space, a proposed hospital, additional park space, affordable housing commitments, and transportation improvements.

Development representatives told commissioners the project represents the next phase of a long-term vision for eastern Collier County. They argued Ave Maria has succeeded in creating a community where residents can live, work, and access services closer to home rather than commuting into western Collier County.

County planning staff recommended approval, saying the expansion supports the long-term sustainability goals of the Rural Lands Stewardship Area program.

Not everyone agreed. Several neighbors and public speakers raised concerns about whether roads, infrastructure, and other services can keep pace with future growth. Ave Maria resident and 22nd district candidate Rich Evans said he believes infrastructure improvements should come before additional development.

“We need infrastructure before the development, that would be the preferred way to do things,” Evans said.

Commissioner Chris Hall echoed those concerns during the meeting and cast the lone dissenting vote.

“I’m not saying no to this project. I’m just saying not now,” Hall said before voting against the proposal.

Commissioner Bill McDaniel said the expansion is consistent with the county’s long-term planning efforts and noted Ave Maria remains only about halfway built out more than two decades after the community was originally planned.

“This is responsible growth. This is managing growth,” McDaniel said.

The approved plan includes future improvements along Camp Keais Road, a planned roundabout at Pope John Paul II Boulevard and Camp Keais Road, additional park space, transit accommodations, and land reserved for future community facilities.

Neighbors like Evans say they will continue to watch to ensure infrastructure and amenities keep pace with future development.

“We want more parks, more walking paths, frankly, park benches, we could use a few of those,” Evans said. “Take care of the existing residents.”

The expansion passed by a 4-1 vote, with Hall casting the only vote against the proposal.