Council reclassifies former Chamber building for commercial reuse; owner plans ophthalmology clinic

Bonita Springs, Fla. — The Bonita Springs City Council approved a second‑reading ordinance to change the future land use designation for roughly 1.3 acres at 25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive from public/semi‑public to general commercial. City staff said the change will let a new owner operate an ophthalmology clinic in the existing building after site improvements.

Mike Feegun of Community Development described the building’s history as the city’s Chamber of Commerce facility (established 1995) that sat vacant after the chamber relocated. He told the council the property is already in a commercial zoning district but the previous future land use category restricted uses to nonprofit and governmental functions; the redesignation matches zoning and broadens allowable uses.

Feegun said the owner plans to reuse the existing building and parking and will be required to bring some site elements up to code, including a sidewalk connection from the property across Chamber of Commerce Drive to U.S. 41. The Local Planning Agency reviewed and unanimously recommended approval in May, and the council had a first reading in June with no objections.

Council held a second‑reading public hearing; no members of the public spoke. On roll call the council approved the ordinance; staff said the owner has agreed to the required site improvements before occupancy.

Why it matters: The change is an adaptive‑reuse approach that allows a vacant public/semi‑public building to return to active commercial use, with required pedestrian and site improvements to meet city code.

Speakers on the record for this item were the Community Development presenter and council members during roll call. No additional permits or site plan approvals were taken at this meeting; the change affects future review and conditioning of site work and occupancy.