[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6115827,"mediaKeyId","2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4","parentId",2736180,"title","Council joins regional talks on Bonita‑Estero rail‑trail; directs staff to work with partners on USDOT letter","audioSeconds",1119,"startMs",3873000,"endMs",4992000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4&start=3873&end=4992","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4/thumbnail_3873000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115827/Bonita-Springs-City/Lee-County/Florida/Council-joins-regional-talks-on-BonitaEstero-railtrail-directs-staff-to-work-with-partners-on-USDOT-letter","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115827-d9a4d6a3000c492b75aa0cca21a83a50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140169&Signature=KHHcMYJIJDfChgWYz1qeliMfMAPu7B2vVZNZ-Rh90A9cVxSxp8km21s~noOkfjxNTwuP-RSMsfUYavl9ZFEvmEMTjjJSy1U-jNwAUpXOTZAZr-y4xe5MC-NFMQxHtpfgmBaV3OU0kjC0X5uUL0YZ7FT2kdIANcYWrRM9PVqtrpDOVvhIKO6Z1dz-N-N-YbgotLSRbxRnWAV0KEkI8UZM2eOxqUThJROX8e-4Hb~jHfGh5bzFa8iy-zOwWr5p1WU5xXPJDgQa4kN2Jdrzf4MHX2KHtMobQGauYN2YVxEkj4T01VcJ6A77U3EFlBJSQB9w4Uvvg90NEwZsB9vMPeD5qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bonita Springs, FL","date","2025-03-20T02:57:36Z","article","Council members heard an extended update on regional funding discussions for the proposed Bonita‑Estero Rail Trail and voted to direct staff to coordinate with the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) and partner jurisdictions on a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (internal guidance referenced to DOT staff was said to risk previously awarded bicycle infrastructure funding).

City staff and outside partners reported that the three jurisdictions — Bonita Springs, Estero and Collier County — met to discuss a memorandum of agreement that would allocate responsibilities for acquisition, future construction and maintenance. Participants encouraged a near‑term financial commitment from each jurisdiction to strengthen grant applications. During the meeting Estero’s representatives were reported to be prepared to consider large commitments (discussed informally in the meeting as $15–20 million). Collier County staff discussed a distinct, roughly $14 million figure tied to a 1.4‑mile segment within Collier County; Collier officials argued there is a strong local justification related to right‑of‑way needs for county road connections.

Council members and staff cautioned that the purchase price estimates discussed during the meeting varied by calculation method (total corridor purchase price, mileage allocations and mitigation costs were all flagged as variables), and that any city commitment would be subject to a future appraisal, mitigation accounting and a formal financing decision by council.

After discussion the council voted to direct staff to work with Estero, Collier County and TPL to prepare a joint letter to DOT urging continued support for bicycle and active‑transportation funding and to request that department staff consider locally demonstrated need and regional benefits. The agenda motion carried on a roll call vote; Council member Carr recorded the sole no vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Bonita Springs, City council meeting, March 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council discussed regional plans to acquire the Seminole Gulf railroad corridor for a Bonita‑Estero rail‑trail, reviewed preliminary funding scenarios and voted to direct staff to work with Estero, Collier County and the Trust for Public Lands on a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation.","taxTitle","Bonita Springs City, Lee County, Florida","taxId",3827,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115832,"Council approves Riverside Park phase 1 work; Parks director outlines multi‑year CIP including pool and soccer projects",2643,2883000,5526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4&start=2883&end=5526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4/thumbnail_2883000.jpg","/articles/6115832/Bonita-Springs-City/Lee-County/Florida/Council-approves-Riverside-Park-phase-1-work-Parks-director-outlines-multiyear-CIP-including-pool-and-soccer-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115832-066725de3786b0652c5eb0126bc69817/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140169&Signature=CBazAp8E93~8FuXsnm~pakBMZds71XzVCPm1Le7Z1vOhKulLB6bJC0kB9r43HQ5CrQpVCJJ89GxixKVZSJMIAJzg-A2-H2jpyWxu8rdYGqTo-GPaaUCR-paQP-NDQB92V80H~QLqPLLV4I~sC2-Je1wGKksf3n0nyG2RjeiG4597h6iPKP-0KN86EAhuMPq96BQEKfBt3sQ3Mu1h~vwZ9U-eFdndi-ePsWwIkxQAZpSt0KRVp6p-u0ewMq9tBIU~r6rMKCIpqhox4x3LvwOG8zDudkMd4WQUHfKjTuNG4GWJ4pCVHF61rHTgDIp0OXrCsa2WygE4bqAbLMvCmxsF~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bonita Springs City Council approved a resolution to accept a construction manager’s proposal from Envirostruct for phase 1 of Riverside Park renovations, a package that will update perimeter circulation, lighting and other exterior improvements meant to preserve event use and improve durability.

Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Perino reviewed a broad parks capital improvement program. Perino outlined completed improvements at the baseball complex (phases 1–3, which included drainage, ADA access, dugouts, lighting and restrooms) and said phase 4 would add two T‑ball fields, expanded parking, upgraded batting cages and continued pedestrian connections to Pine Avenue. She described a proposed replacement of the lap pool with a competitive lap facility plus a resort‑style component and a zero‑entry kiddie area, and said the city has engaged Kimley‑Horn on concept work and hopes to present a concept proposal for council review at a future meeting.

Perino also presented the Leitner Creek youth soccer complex (adjacent to the dog park), described efforts to upgrade Marnie Fields and Kent Road soccer fields, and said the city is exploring phased conversion of heavily used fields to artificial turf after drainage upgrades. She noted the city received a $500,000 CDBG grant for a citywide parks master plan and described hurricane‑related restoration needs at boardwalks, the Lyles Hotel, community park lighting and landscape repairs.

On the Riverside Park bandshell project Perino said South Florida Water Management District permitting complexities required splitting the work into two phases; the council approved the phase 1 contract so exterior improvements and lighting can proceed without delaying the event lawn work. Council conducted a roll call vote to accept Envirostruct’s proposal; the motion carried unanimously.","Council approved a resolution accepting Envirostruct’s proposal to begin phase 1 of Riverside Park renovations. Parks Director Nicole Perino also presented a multi‑year capital improvement program that included baseball complex phases, a proposed new pool, a youth soccer complex and other park upgrades and hurricane restoration work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115836,"City reports near‑99% compliance in code cases; 2,300 rental properties on three‑year inspection cycle",541,893000,1434000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4&start=893&end=1434","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4/thumbnail_893000.jpg","/articles/6115836/Bonita-Springs-City/Lee-County/Florida/City-reports-near99-compliance-in-code-cases-2300-rental-properties-on-threeyear-inspection-cycle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115836-740952a58d47e685b34e42720905c1fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140169&Signature=Oi~MGAK0xpXDpTQtpy9vJj~~ZV1JxKxxgPl~inEtkuDF5Y7PlSZg-MekDDH23yrDr9RRIGM0xEas7lmwuEK3hafjeJxdXnZAcq8pq88XRNNSBRISV6bzUMn2vdsfkP7FIs2BtDRCBPMLu4EHOIh1gpjuGnUBZuST17-P4B7zVACxBdpaNFLLxlU~Un-vNYUIyD3l59l4tUMYzxtBuSMCAL9yesPCZQktHpwq1AGdXZNAGd237~oK-VoYhJwe1p6Adq0UuWZBFZqju-Lq7YxRjcd4GnTQPpy~4WIH5I1-R5XP4VT8YgeHXB~Qej6HcLQ~-5q9Gyizjc9YRxn6L-l0-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bonita Springs’ Neighborhood Services department told council it conducted nearly 24,000 responsive activities in 2024, processed roughly 1,500 formal code cases that generated about 8,000 inspections, and achieved what the department described as a high compliance rate following hearings.

Tony Backus, director of Neighborhood Services and Emergency Management, presented the annual report and said the department’s work splits among code enforcement, permitting/licensing, and emergency management. Backus said inspectors handled property maintenance, unpermitted work and other code issues, and that the department holds six special‑magistrate hearings a year as part of the formal enforcement process.

Backus described the city’s residential rental permit program: about 2,300 rental residences are inspected on a three‑year cycle (with some exceptions for HOAs). He told the council that 54% of initial rental inspections passed last year; that implies roughly 1,200 re‑inspections for rentals and a higher total number of inspections related to rental regulation.

Numbers presented for formal code enforcement showed about 66 cases that reached hearing in 2024, with 10 cases recorded as noncompliant after hearing — an outcome the presenter characterized as about 99% compliance among cases that reached an imposition hearing. Backus also explained that repeat offenders are treated more stringently and may face higher daily fines and additional enforcement steps.

Council members asked about enforcement options for life‑safety conditions, repeating offenders, revocation of rental permits and the city’s authority to inspect units more frequently than the three‑year cycle when evidence of problems is received. Backus said the staff can mandate more frequent inspections for problem properties and that the city manager has authority to revoke rental permits in persistent nuisance cases.","Neighborhood Services presented a 2024 workload report showing nearly 24,000 responsive activities, roughly 1,500 formal code cases and high compliance after hearings. The city’s residential rental permit program covers about 2,300 properties on a three‑year inspection cycle; 54% of initial rental inspections passed last year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115841,"Council adopts rezoning to preserve existing duplexes at Williams Road and Sun Aqua Lane",206,482000,688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4&start=482&end=688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4/thumbnail_482000.jpg","/articles/6115841/Bonita-Springs-City/Lee-County/Florida/Council-adopts-rezoning-to-preserve-existing-duplexes-at-Williams-Road-and-Sun-Aqua-Lane","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115841-02661d3875ac727540a5c71935e3ee32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140169&Signature=SF8cP7dp55lBIixV5dIDsNnkqTjCot1ZZBUip7QI7JCcrTyebjYsh2QYxZsC7PJbiKphl2KaHoZMm7YxBtmnGBbHHkjsxuDy52o0xkZ9-ickh4KXRwUHeim~8IHVOWnTsq7fZ6LhEJemZLDVzyjxcihfUv08f7agyqoMHZ8Qe5B531f0~BOxsg1aaqwqraCzWQObFkLrIFb7MStNn~F2Ro3BN-~UyFZ6UEG4mLgAMS9BZ2vsIgRvA2DcKF6lB4Z7WVpNA~viDXiPiSlwb0E1sXmuM2YlfeB4bCguVj~~r41PxTslay1SZVVZAQJmU1MUVLR1FVI4IFCBnNVmgCDFUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bonita Springs City Council voted unanimously on the second reading to rezone about 1.04 acres of property that includes duplexes at 27036/27020 Williams Road and 27001 Sun Aqua Lane from Two‑Family Conservation (TFC‑2) to Residential Planned Development (RPD).

City planning staff told council the change is intended to remove numerous nonconforming issues for 10 duplex units built between 1969 and 1976 and to provide a single set of development regulations for the parcels. Mike Fegan of Community Development said there is no new construction proposed and that the RPD would preserve the existing duplex structures; the zoning board had unanimously recommended approval at its January hearing.

Council took public testimony under a quasi‑judicial hearing format and confirmed witnesses were sworn. There were no public comments opposing the item at the meeting. A motion to approve carried on roll call.

The ordinance text as read to the council listed the three addresses and described the rezoning from TFC‑2 to RPD, providing conditions for any potential future development to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood.

The council did not identify a specific effective date in the discussion recorded during the meeting; the ordinance text read at second reading refers generically to an effective date.","The City Council on second reading approved rezoning about 1.04 acres of pre‑existing duplex properties from Two‑Family Conservation (TFC‑2) to Residential Planned Development (RPD), removing multiple nonconforming issues and preserving the existing structures with no new development proposed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115822,"Residents of Imperial Harbor urge action after recurring roadway and yard flooding",205,6385000,6590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4&start=6385&end=6590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736180-f1587d650d0ad44e991cdbecea625ef4/thumbnail_6385000.jpg","/articles/6115822/Bonita-Springs-City/Lee-County/Florida/Residents-of-Imperial-Harbor-urge-action-after-recurring-roadway-and-yard-flooding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115822-0d036b08e9c50f21d964e07b0b206442/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140169&Signature=lfwc8qiIYOF-uO282ekEjWCZFVfjwASsGC8i-80PnyfhOo6gffkG9WFtqwxZNhPFIu0L1V4XQ7sZt9s~AXP8JM1sLOWfz9Q~f8~1xHYMmFsp5QVyS2CMxuyXK9yDVfa8beEUOdPK005gw5AL19EYgu10HYaij8tJn2kCpbwQ5M-yrVir5WWinic-RI-piSDzGND92JK9-sC4Mh96CAyU-Nf~uBk4MWlIGOFyZi97lIpAsVF4Mq90j8RU4i6i8AWyMeEFmP7ulv8BbDWu61yAGjl1-Ihfy-ootFTS9oAPJbH0wPr5esZ2Hisc0BIRco-MVY6oFbeWkv9ydBFWoChU4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents of the Imperial Harbor 55+ community addressed the council during public comment to request faster action on persistent stormwater flooding that affects Squire Lane and adjacent yards.

A resident identified as Nardine said the community’s drainage pipes are clear but the golf‑course pond and aquatic vegetation have reduced conveyance so stormwater has nowhere to go; she said surface water now stands for days and in some instances reaches lanai areas. Madeline Foster, another resident on Squire Lane, described recent summertime storms that left streets impassable and storm shallows that she said are growing worse each year. Both speakers said they have contacted public works and city staff but want an expedited remedy; the transcript records that Public Works staff (Jason) has inspected the site and been responsive but that vegetation and pond capacity remain concerns.

Council members acknowledged the reports and staff said they will continue site review and follow up with the residents. No formal council action was recorded during public comment.","Two residents of Imperial Harbor described repeated summer flooding that leaves standing water in yards and streets; they asked the city to clear drainage obstructions and address pond conveyance tied to adjacent golf course vegetation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council joins regional talks on Bonita‑Estero rail‑trail; directs staff to work with partners on USDOT letter

Council approves Riverside Park phase 1 work; Parks director outlines multi‑year CIP including pool and soccer projects

City reports near‑99% compliance in code cases; 2,300 rental properties on three‑year inspection cycle

Council adopts rezoning to preserve existing duplexes at Williams Road and Sun Aqua Lane

Residents of Imperial Harbor urge action after recurring roadway and yard flooding