While Florida’s rapid growth has always been inspiring for developers and sun-seekers alike, Thursday’s Collier County Planning Commission meeting looks at two proposed developments that would, if approved, cause problems for the critically endangered Florida Panther and Collier County taxpayers alike.
The planned developments of Belle Mar and Longwater have already sparked unexpected comment from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which advised the planning commission to take a pause in considering the developments, as well as implement a more comprehensive planning approach.
April Olson is a senior Environmental Planning Specialist at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. She says "the projects would impact habitat of the endangered Florida Panther. They would result in severe traffic issues for Collier County. And we are concerned that taxpayers would be stuck paying for many of the costs associated with providing the villages with the necessary infrastructure and services."
Wildlife experts estimate there are between 120 and 230 adult panthers in all of Florida, and the projects would destroy about 2,000 acres of land that is essential for the continued survival of the species.
Olson also notes the influx of development would add even more traffic to an already heavily taxed infrastructure. Economically, Olson says that while the developments must cover the costs of infrastructure and services, she notes developers are underestimating the costs of providing services like fire departments, EMS, and school bussing, water and wastewater services.
"So the taxpayers could end up paying for this serious economic shortfall, or other priorities in Collier County will go unfunded," says Olson. The developer also has plans to combine Longwater, Belle Mar, and their third village, which is called River Grass, into a town.
Residents can attend the Collier County Planning Commission in person or online starting at 9 a.m. Thursday morning. Learn more at colliercountyfl.gov or call (239) 252-2526. You can also check the conservancy’s website atconservancy.org
Individuals who would like to participate remotely should register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q-n8SvqVTrWAOsue9IbXiA