Bonita Springs zoning board approves rezoning for Old 41 commercial plan development

The Bonita Springs Zoning Board voted 6-0 to approve a request to rezone roughly 10 acres on Old 41 to a new Commercial Planned Development that would allow up to 39,500 square feet of commercial retail, about 80,000 square feet of indoor self-storage/mini-warehouse uses and roughly 70,000 square feet of light industrial uses.

City staff recommended approval subject to the conditions outlined in the staff report. Mary Thornburg, Community Development, told the board that staff "does recommend approval subject to the conditions outlined." The board recorded a roll-call vote after a motion to approve the rezoning and carried the motion 6 to 0.

The applicant, represented by attorney Francesca Passadoma, said the project would replace an existing landscape supply operation and would remove existing structures. "Our firm represents FREP, Old 41 Development, LP, in this petition to rezone a parcel from its existing commercial plan development to a new commercial plan development, to modify the master plan, reduce commercial square footage, eliminate outdoor storage and sale uses, and add indoor self storage and light industrial uses," Passadoma said. Connor McBroom of Forager Real Estate described the developer as locally invested and committed to building the project.

Planner Patty Kulak summarized the proposal and key design features. She said the plan calls for six buildings, with two retail-facing buildings along…