Bonita Springs agency approves future-land-use change for Tyson Eye Center reuse

The City of Bonita Springs Local Planning Agency voted unanimously May 22 to approve a comprehensive plan amendment that would change the future land-use designation for 25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive to neighborhood commercial, allowing adaptive reuse of the former Chamber of Commerce building by Tyson Eye Center.

The change was requested by Mark King, owner of the property, through agent Tom Slaughter of Cape Land LLC. Mike Fegan of Community Development summarized staff’s view that the existing zoning already permits commercial uses and the amendment simply aligns the future land-use map with on-the-ground reality. "The building is a nice building ... it’s one of the gems of the city, I believe," Slaughter said, describing the proposal as a reuse of the existing structure without new development.

The nut graf: the amendment removes a restrictive public/semi-public designation that staff said conflicted with the property's commercial zoning and the character of the US‑41 corridor. Agency staff and the applicant said there are no new buildings, no anticipated variances or site-plan changes, and that required minor nonconformities would be corrected before a certificate of occupancy.

Agency discussion and supporting details focused on compatibility and process. Slaughter told the Agency the property was vacant after the Chamber moved and that two neighborhood meetings were held with no attendees. Fegan said the original public/semi-public designation dated to a Lee County plan in the early 1990s and was retained when Bonita Springs became a city; changing it now reflects current use patterns. Slaughter and staff said parking, ingress/egress, signage and other site elements will remain as existing; any code nonconformities identified in the staff report must be addressed during staff review prior to occupancy.

Formal action: Chairman Steve Lohan moved to approve the amendment; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes. The applicant and staff were reminded that, if approved by the Agency, the amendment still must proceed through two public hearings before the City Council. Slaughter and Fegan emphasized the change does not itself authorize new construction or permit occupancy until staff reviews required corrections and issues a certificate of occupancy.

The Agency’s approval means the property’s future-land-use map designation will better match existing zoning and the intended medical-office reuse; the amendment now advances to City Council for two public hearings required by city procedure.