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Commissioners approve Caloosahatchee Ridge RPD after debate over wetlands, mitigation and bus‑stop conditions
Summary
The board approved rezoning of roughly 102 acres (Caloosahatchee Ridge RPD) from agricultural to residential plan development; public commenter raised concerns about roads, water and wetland clearing, and staff and engineers described mitigation, indigenous open‑space rules and on‑site water‑management systems.
Lee County commissioners approved a rezoning to create the Caloosahatchee Ridge Residential Plan Development on about 102 acres west of State Road 31.
Beth Workman, principal planner, told the board the hearing examiner recommended approval with conditions, including a revised requirement that documentation from the Lee County School District demonstrate safe bus‑stop distances at the development order stage. Applicant representative Neil Montgomery and the project engineer explained that the site includes wetlands dominated by exotic vegetation that would be restored under state permitting and mitigation requirements; they said on‑site basins would pre‑treat runoff and that the wetland areas would help hydrate and filter outfall before any conveyance toward the river.
A nearby property owner, Herbert Nowak, testified in opposition, saying the area lacked roads and water capacity and expressing concern that clearing and mechanized construction could harm wetlands and green space. Workman responded that the land‑development code requires 40% green space on large residential projects with half of that typically indigenous preserve, and engineers said there would be no direct, uncontrolled discharge to the Caloosahatchee River per the water‑management permit.
Commissioners discussed conservation, mitigation and infrastructure; after a motion and second, the board approved the hearing examiner's recommendation with no objections recorded.
