The rezoning application for the North River Road site has been officially withdrawn. This outcome reflects the commitment of everyone who insisted that our rural landscape deserves better than unchecked density. We must remain attentive to future land use proposals in Alva.
November 28, 2023
Final supporters
Neal Communities, a home building company based out of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is proposing a new residential development along North River Road just east of State Road 31 in Alva, Florida.
In May of 2023, Neal Communities purchased the Owl Creek property consisting of 345 acres. The developer is currently under contract for the adjacent 788 acres of the Duke+Cary+Povia property. The sale is pending purchase based on Lee County Utilities Future Water/Sewer service area approval as well as rezoning approvals from rural wetlands to Residential Planned Development (RPD) in order to increase the allowable density.
In total, the proposed development on this agricultural and environmentally sensitive land will consist of almost 1,500 residential units in a clustered development format on 1,133 acres of land with the smallest proposed homesites containing 40 feet of road frontage.
Neal Community has stated that the goal is to develop a portion of the subject property into what the developer refers to as “attainable housing” to include the manufacturing of “budget conscious homes” with “cost efficient floorplans” and “simplified and value-engineered” product designs. (https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2023/sep/04/attainable-housing-homebuilder-plans-646-homes-to-start/)
If approved, this clustered-home development will triple the population of the north side of Alva with the construction of ONE residential community.
The already stressed infrastructure cannot support this massive development. Additionally, this proposed development would further threaten the environment in the Northeast section of Lee County which will have widespread consequences. Of the 1,133 total acres, there is over 190 acres of wetlands on this property, countless species, indigenous habitats, and historic archeological sites.
The proposed planned development is inconsistent and incompatible with the heritage and rural character as outlined in the Lee County Comprehensive Plan.
The Lee County Comprehensive Plan for Northeast Lee County Community Plan in Goal 27 states, “Maintain, enhance, and support the heritage and rural character, natural resources, and agricultural lands.” (Ord. No. 11-14, 18-18). In addition, the Lee Plan for North Olga Community Plan in Goal 29 states, “Promote and support the unique rural character, heritage, economy, quality of life, and natural resources in the North Olga Community Plan area.” (Ord. No. 11-21, 11-18)
It is the position of the majority of the community of Alva and the Northeast Lee County surrounding areas that this proposed development, not only fails to honor any of the long-established goals within the Lee County Comprehensive Plan, but also represents an irresponsible overdevelopment of the last rural corridor of Southwest Florida with far-reaching impacts to infrastructure, resources, the culture, and the environment.
(PLEASE NOTE: THE DONATE BUTTON AT THE END OF THE PETITION IS FOR THE iPetition.com PLATFORM, NOT THE ALVA CAUSE.)
We, the undersigned residents of Lee County, Florida and concerned citizens, are OPPOSED to the planned development of the Duke+Cary+Povia and Owl Creek Properties by Neal Communities as currently proposed.
Photo Credit: J. Kennedy
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 14, 2023
October 11, 2023
The momentum surrounding our opposition to the North River Road development is building as we approach five hundred signatures. Please direct others to this portal so our collective stance remains visible to the county planners reviewing these rezoning requests.
Reached 100 supporters
September 19, 2023
305 Comments
While researching a move from Ft Myers to Alva. Have also researched the set up from the Lee County commission to change zoning from AG2 to residential without a local agreement from the residents is a disgrace to the residents of Alva.
I am vehemently against the development plan for the “Duke Farm Stewardship District in Alva. There are plenty of other recently developed communities within 5 miles of this proposed location, and our infrastructure is already insufficient! Please stop paving our paradise!!
I saw this kind of building explosion destroy many rural areas in western Michigan. I moved here to get away from that kind of land grab and destruction by companies that are from another part of the state. Neal's encroachment into Alva must not be allowed to proceed.
Lee County Planning & Growth this is all about developer greed and this type of development costs county taxpayers due to the services required by new residents. Since this is not consistent with the Comp Plan this development must be denied. Leave this beautiful natural area alone.
We are not opposed to development, we are for smart development that falls inline with our rural community. One home per acre of buildable land. This excludes all wetlands, access roads, walkways and such.
DEFEND THE WALL COMRADES!
Lee County must stop rezoning rural lands that are part of Lee County Plan.
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The rezoning application for the North River Road site has been officially withdrawn. This outcome reflects the commitment of everyone who insisted that our rural landscape deserves better than unchecked density. We must remain attentive to future land use proposals in Alva.
November 28, 2023
Final supporters
Neal Communities, a home building company based out of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is proposing a new residential development along North River Road just east of State Road 31 in Alva, Florida.
In May of 2023, Neal Communities purchased the Owl Creek property consisting of 345 acres. The developer is currently under contract for the adjacent 788 acres of the Duke+Cary+Povia property. The sale is pending purchase based on Lee County Utilities Future Water/Sewer service area approval as well as rezoning approvals from rural wetlands to Residential Planned Development (RPD) in order to increase the allowable density.
In total, the proposed development on this agricultural and environmentally sensitive land will consist of almost 1,500 residential units in a clustered development format on 1,133 acres of land with the smallest proposed homesites containing 40 feet of road frontage.
Neal Community has stated that the goal is to develop a portion of the subject property into what the developer refers to as “attainable housing” to include the manufacturing of “budget conscious homes” with “cost efficient floorplans” and “simplified and value-engineered” product designs. (https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2023/sep/04/attainable-housing-homebuilder-plans-646-homes-to-start/)
If approved, this clustered-home development will triple the population of the north side of Alva with the construction of ONE residential community.
The already stressed infrastructure cannot support this massive development. Additionally, this proposed development would further threaten the environment in the Northeast section of Lee County which will have widespread consequences. Of the 1,133 total acres, there is over 190 acres of wetlands on this property, countless species, indigenous habitats, and historic archeological sites.
The proposed planned development is inconsistent and incompatible with the heritage and rural character as outlined in the Lee County Comprehensive Plan.
The Lee County Comprehensive Plan for Northeast Lee County Community Plan in Goal 27 states, “Maintain, enhance, and support the heritage and rural character, natural resources, and agricultural lands.” (Ord. No. 11-14, 18-18). In addition, the Lee Plan for North Olga Community Plan in Goal 29 states, “Promote and support the unique rural character, heritage, economy, quality of life, and natural resources in the North Olga Community Plan area.” (Ord. No. 11-21, 11-18)
It is the position of the majority of the community of Alva and the Northeast Lee County surrounding areas that this proposed development, not only fails to honor any of the long-established goals within the Lee County Comprehensive Plan, but also represents an irresponsible overdevelopment of the last rural corridor of Southwest Florida with far-reaching impacts to infrastructure, resources, the culture, and the environment.
(PLEASE NOTE: THE DONATE BUTTON AT THE END OF THE PETITION IS FOR THE iPetition.com PLATFORM, NOT THE ALVA CAUSE.)
We, the undersigned residents of Lee County, Florida and concerned citizens, are OPPOSED to the planned development of the Duke+Cary+Povia and Owl Creek Properties by Neal Communities as currently proposed.
Photo Credit: J. Kennedy
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 14, 2023
October 11, 2023
The momentum surrounding our opposition to the North River Road development is building as we approach five hundred signatures. Please direct others to this portal so our collective stance remains visible to the county planners reviewing these rezoning requests.
Reached 100 supporters
September 19, 2023
305 Comments
Infrastructure is not in place. Look what is happening to the two bridges, SR 78 and the potential destruction of Bayshore with the increased traffic with heavy trucks…The developers only care about building all this and leaving the mess for the rest of us to fix…
While researching a move from Ft Myers to Alva. Have also researched the set up from the Lee County commission to change zoning from AG2 to residential without a local agreement from the residents is a disgrace to the residents of Alva.
I am vehemently against the development plan for the “Duke Farm Stewardship District in Alva. There are plenty of other recently developed communities within 5 miles of this proposed location, and our infrastructure is already insufficient! Please stop paving our paradise!!
I saw this kind of building explosion destroy many rural areas in western Michigan. I moved here to get away from that kind of land grab and destruction by companies that are from another part of the state. Neal's encroachment into Alva must not be allowed to proceed.
Lee County Planning & Growth this is all about developer greed and this type of development costs county taxpayers due to the services required by new residents. Since this is not consistent with the Comp Plan this development must be denied. Leave this beautiful natural area alone.
We are not opposed to development, we are for smart development that falls inline with our rural community. One home per acre of buildable land. This excludes all wetlands, access roads, walkways and such.
DEFEND THE WALL COMRADES!
Lee County must stop rezoning rural lands that are part of Lee County Plan.
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Infrastructure is not in place. Look what is happening to the two bridges, SR 78 and the potential destruction of Bayshore with the increased traffic with heavy trucks…The developers only care about building all this and leaving the mess for the rest of us to fix…