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Naples Park rezone (Mercado West/White Sands) continued to Dec. 9 amid neighborhood opposition
Summary
A proposed rezoning for a former Burger King parcel on Tamiami Trail North to allow 28 luxury condominiums (RMF-16, 50-ft cap offered) drew sustained opposition from Naples Park residents over height, privacy and precedent; the commission agreed to continue the public hearing to Dec. 9 for further engagement.
The commission continued a contentious rezone application for a 1.86-acre parcel on Tamiami Trail North — described in testimony as the former Burger King site — to Dec. 9 after extended public comment and commissioner discussion.
Applicant counsel Rich Yovanovitch and planner Bob Mulhare presented renderings and a site plan for a 28-unit RMF-16 condominium project. The petitioner offered a condition capping building height at 50 feet (the existing C-3 zone height) and argued the conversion from commercial to urban residential aligns with the county growth-management plan. He also warned that if the board denied the rezoning the parcel owner could pursue a by-right option under the Live Local Act that could allow up to 47 units and taller buildings.
Residents from Naples Park pressed the commission to reduce density and height, with one speaker urging RMF-6 as a compromise to preserve neighborhood character; several raised concerns about privacy, tree-buffer maturity and the project's visibility into backyards. The board acknowledged confusion among residents about public notices and a name change (the project has been referred to as "Mercado West" and other names), and Commissioner Hall requested extra outreach. The board voted to continue the matter to the Dec. 9 meeting to allow the applicant and commissioner Hall to meet with residents and for any clarifications staff identifies.
No final land-use action was taken at this session; the continuation preserves the public-hearing record and allows additional neighborhood engagement before final action.
