The Lee County Board of County Commissioners approved the rezoning of roughly 6.35 acres on Luckett Road from Commercial Planned Development to Industrial Planned Development (DCI202400039) on Nov. 19, adopting the hearing examiner’s recommendation with conditions. The decision follows public comment from an adjacent property owner who warned the change could increase flooding and urged the board to review the stormwater materials.

Ted Nicholas, an adjacent property owner who said he maintains two homes and a 55-and-older mobile home community next to the site, told the board, “This plan will flood me,” and asked whether the required stormwater report had been submitted. Staff clarified that a surface water management plan narrative describing current and post-construction flows is required for the rezoning record but that detailed engineering calculations and drawings are submitted later at the development order stage.

Josh Veilpot, speaking for the applicant, introduced engineer Joel Blitstead, who said the team provided a high-level overview at zoning and that detailed stormwater calculations will be required when the developer applies for a development order. Blitstead said the project’s on-site runoff would be captured via inlets or two private detention areas and that the applicant plans to improve an existing lake by providing a piped outfall to the Luckett Road system, which “will be permitted through the South Florida Water Management District as well as Lee County,” and should reduce the need for residents to pump lakes.

Staff noted the site is near the I‑75 interchange and that the proposed industrial footprint is similar to an already-approved RV sales use. To increase compatibility with nearby residences, staff recommended and the board attached conditions including additional screening and a non-required 8-foot wall to buffer adjacent homes. Board members also confirmed that the county’s code allows ancillary repair for vehicle and equipment dealers but not full-service repair on site; the applicant said major repairs would be shipped off-site.

An unidentified commissioner moved to approve the hearing examiner’s recommendation subject to the stated conditions; the motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion carried. The approval was a zoning decision; staff and the applicant must submit required engineering-level stormwater calculations and obtain the necessary permits at the development order and permitting stages.

The board’s action does not specify vote tallies in the hearing record. The applicant referenced the case number DCI202400039 in materials provided to the board.