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Planning board recommends rezoning of 6.23 acres on Colonial Boulevard to Commercial General
Summary
The Planning Board voted to recommend city council approve rezoning of about 6.23 acres at 4221–4231 Colonial Boulevard from Planned Unit Development to Commercial General; staff said the original PUD was written for a specific 84 Lumber build-out and the property’s PUD conditions were not met, so owners asked to revert to the surrounding zoning.
The City of Fort Myers Planning Board recommended approval March 5 to City Council for a rezoning of 6.23 acres at 4221–4229 and 4231 Colonial Boulevard, changing the designation from Planned Unit Development (PUD) to Commercial General.
Staff and applicant presentations Taryn Thomas, senior planner, told the board the PUD was originally created for construction of two buildings for 84 Lumber and several PUD conditions — including parcel combination — were never completed. “Prior to the PUD approval the property was B‑1 General Commercial,” Thomas said, noting the land would revert to its previous commercial designation under the code if the PUD conditions were not satisfied. Planning staff reviewed the request and recommended approval, finding the rezoning consistent with the comprehensive plan and land development code.
Applicant comments and board questions An attorney for the owner said the request would remove PUD-specific restrictions tailored to 84 Lumber and allow the parcels to be developed under the conventional Commercial General standard that surrounds the site. Board members asked for the original PUD document to be included in future packets when relevant; one member requested that staff include older PUD documents when a PUD rezone or repeal is under consideration.
Public comment and vote Three members of the public signed up but asked to speak about the next agenda item; the board returned to the Colonial item with no further public comment recorded on the rezoning itself. A board member moved to recommend approval; the motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously in favor. The board’s recommendation will go to the City Council for final action.
Why this matters The PUD included conditions tied specifically to an earlier development plan for the site. The change back to Commercial General would align the property’s zoning with adjacent parcels and allow a broader set of commercial uses under the city’s land-development code. Final authority for the zoning change rests with the City Council.
Next steps The planning board’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for consideration; any future site development or building permits would be processed under the Commercial General zoning and applicable site‑development review.
