Lee County considers big changes to development guidelines

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Lee County is considering significant changes to its land use codes, concerning some neighbors who fear that it could pave the way for development.

The county said it's designed to increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary regulations, while maintaining public health, safety, and welfare. County commissioners directed staff to amend the Lee Plan, which is a long-range planning document that guides growth, land use, and development. 

The amendments will not increase allowable densities, according to a staff report. However, it would eliminate some Lee Plan goals designed to protect the rural character of areas like Olga, Bayshore, and Alva.

The report said these areas would be moved under the Rural Community Preserves category. That protects the land from being converted to future urban or suburban areas.

By consolidating the land under one code, staff said it's easier to understand and implement.

"There's just a lot of opportunity to make it a more predictable document," said Mike Rozdolski, Lee County director of community development.

However, the changes would eliminate some unique protections  - including that new developments in Buckingham's commercial district provide a minimum of 30% open space. 

The proposal would also eliminate public input requirements for the land development code amendment process, according to the report.

That includes at least one public meeting for privately-initiated applications that propose changing a community plan. That exceeds what's currently required under state law, according to the report. 

More than 200 people attended a community meeting in North Fort Myers on Tuesday night to learn more.

"They're going to eliminate a lot, and we're just going to become another Miami," Cheryl Fischer of Buckingham said.

The county said it won't change the density or intensity of development. Rozdolski said the county has information and documents available online.

But with more than 100 pages, some say they're scrambling to understand what it means.

"This couldn't be less clear," Michael Hannon of Matlacha said.

The Lee County Planning Agency will consider the changes during a public meeting on Monday.

It will then go through several committees and public hearings before county commissioners eventually vote on it.