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Hacienda Lakes map
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The Collier County Commission meets beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the commission chambers at the county government complex, corner of Airport-Pulling Road and U.S. 41 East.
NAPLES — A large development could be coming to Collier County and creating new jobs, despite a sluggish economy.
Hacienda Lakes wants to build more than 1,500 homes, hotel rooms, retail outlets, medical offices, a nursing care center and a public school on its 2,200-plus acres east of Naples.
“We believe in the attractiveness of Naples and are confident that the area will continue to grow in the future,” said David Torres, president of Hacienda Lakes LLC. “The local economy, like the rest of the nation, is going through a difficult period with respect to unemployment rates. An increase in construction activity will go a long way in reducing unemployment.”
Hacienda Lakes plans to ask for a change in zoning for the 2,262-acre tract at Tuesday’s Collier County Commission meeting. The commission is expected to vote on the Hacienda Lakes rezoning request to change the land from agricultural and planned development to a mixed-use planned development.
In addition, two other applications are expected to be heard: a growth- management plan petition proposed by Hacienda Lakes and a development of regional impact (DRI) request. Both of these discussions were continued from September commission meetings.
Residential DRIs are development projects that consist of more than 2,000 units, although that figure can include commercial buildings. The development has gained approval from the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, which coordinates the planning of projects large enough to have a regional effect in its six-county territory.
The meeting is slated to start at 9 a.m. in the Collier County Commission chambers at the government complex, at the corner of U.S. 41 East and Airport-Pulling Road.
Fast facts
If approved, the homes would be built on 700 acres of the 2,262-acre tract on the east side of Collier Boulevard, where it intersects with Rattlesnake-Hammock Road. It would be in the area of Sabal Palm Road, but wouldn’t require moving the Swamp Buggy track.
“It seems to be adequate for the immediate and near future,” said Commissioner Jim Coletta, whose district includes the proposed development.
It’s only a matter of time before the economy recovers and when it does there will be a need for new homes, Coletta said.
If approved, the homes would be built on 700 acres of the 2,262-acre tract on the east side of Collier Boulevard, where it intersects with Rattlesnake-Hammock Road. It would be in the area of Sabal Palm Road, but wouldn’t require moving the Swamp Buggy track.
More than 1,500 acres of the tract would be left as a preserve area.
Hacienda Lakes is planning for 1,760 homes and a variety of commercial buildings for retail, office and medical offices. Homes will be of various types and prices, Torres said.
No building permits have been requested yet, he added.
If the rezoning petitions are approved, Hacienda Lakes would offer up a site development plan and submit plat applications. If commissioners approve, Hacienda Lakes then would request permits to move ahead with building, Torres said.
Construction is expected to start in 2012, once the developer gets through the multi-agency permitting process.
Hacienda Lakes developers haven’t done a specific job-creation study but believe that estimates by the National Association of Home Builders are accurate. The association estimates 324 jobs are created by construction of 100 single-family homes, Torres said.
The development is projected to occur in phases over eight years, with projected build-out in 2019.
Fast facts
Part of the proposal calls for a maximum of 327,500 square feet of retail space; 70,000 square feet of professional and medical office space, including a conversion of retail use to professional and medical office; 135 hotel rooms, including a conversion to a business park; 140,000 gross square feet of business park or education facility and a public school, according to a prepared statement.
Part of the proposal calls for a maximum of 327,500 square feet of retail space; 70,000 square feet of professional and medical office space, including a conversion of retail use to professional and medical office; 135 hotel rooms, including a conversion to a business park; 140,000 gross square feet of business park or education facility and a public school, according to a prepared statement.
Collier transportation planning staff has evaluated the requests and has included some transportation-related requirements, county principal planner Kay Deselem said in an email.
The development would require an extension of Rattlesnake-Hammock Road east of Collier Boulevard as well as other road improvements within the project that also will serve the public, Torres said.
The Rattlesnake-Hammock Road extension is expected to go about three-quarters of a mile east of Collier Boulevard, in addition to enhancements at the intersection, including a wider bridge, he explained.
Quotable
“Collier County (officials) needs to reassess what their role is going to be in protection of wetlands and listed species and take a more active role in protecting local environmental resources, instead of simply deferring to other agencies,” said Nicole Johnson, government relations director for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is concerned about aspects of the project.
“Collier County (officials) needs to reassess what their role is going to be in protection of wetlands and listed species and take a more active role in protecting local environmental resources, instead of simply deferring to other agencies,” said Nicole Johnson, government relations director for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
The proposed project could directly affect 460 acres of wetlands. The entire project site is within a primary habitat area for the Florida panther.
However, Johnson said the project is consistent with development and density-blending policies for that specific area.
Hacienda Lakes has made modifications to its proposal, such as pulling the developed portion of the project more into the urban area and abandoning a plan to relocate the Swamp Buggy Park to environmentally sensitive lands.
The Conservancy is pleased with the project changes that have been made, Johnson said.
__ Connect with Tracy X. Miguel at www.naplesnews.com/staff/tracy_x_miguel/
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Comments » 35
Sick writes:
So this just came to light today? How will we be able to decide if we like it or not when we just found out about it tonight?
There has got to be some info that was available to us prior to tonight no?
Or do big deelopers call Collier on a sunday and say throw us on the schedule for 2200 acres next tuesday?
How will we have time to review what I am sure is 300 pages of zoning and consider all the issues by tuesday at 9 a.m.?
Guess I better start reading and call off work tomorrow and tuesday to be able to voice my opinion.
Thanks for the heads up NDN without you we would have never known. And this would have ended up in your "What's going on at the corner of...????" Column you write.
np writes:
Isn't this area near Picyune Strand, too close for comfort? Fakahatchee Strand? If i lived back there this project would make me very nervous and sad.
Human encroachment will not solve long term problems in dire economic times. There would have to be better ways to boost local economy such as cleaning up our mess back there and maintain its pristine state with an able workforce . We need to build upwards NOT outwards.
wolfgang1 writes:
More Greedy Developers with Greedy Developments out to ruin our quality of life...coming ever so closer to Miami. Who needs this monstrosity east of 951??? It will be 8-10 years before all of the foreclosed, soon to be foreclosed, and short selling inventory in Golden Gate can be absorbed. And now they want to build this mega development? Mr. Colletta needs to stop agreeing with every quick buck developer who wants to build Miami Jr. and stand up for keeping our quality of life above that of the east coast.I hope the rest of the commissioners have the guts to shoot this lame horse!
Sick writes:
Maybe thats why we just found out about it?
A big secret until 2 days before the vote.
Not to mention I'm sure there is a mitigation procedure. As there is with anything and everything these days.
RealNaplesNative writes:
The amount of un-sold homes in this county is already staggering. Half completed communities are rampant so why would we need another community to take up land so close to all of our protected areas? Hasn't this county approved one to many communities ripping down beautiful forest and nature areas? Enough is enough.
cornandbeans writes:
Good news. This use to be Toll Bros until they puked 10s of millions in a lost cash down payment. This is big money. Why not let them spend it.
Big money tried to convert the swamp at Treviso Bay into a gold mine and it cost them over 100 million dollars. Now it's Lennar's to clean up and build.
Go for it. The Texas cougars all ready have 80% of Collier County. Keep them in the Picyune, give everything else to humans.
I think it's a riot that rich people try to turn a swamp into a silk purse. They have waisted their money for 100 years.
Let them have their most recent folly. The locals will profit!
cornandbeans writes:
RealNaplesNative-
If you keep looking in the rear view mirror, you will wreck and miss the parade right in front of you.
This winter will be a strong snap back from an oversold condition.
suzy7 writes:
Yep, dig out the foreclosure signs, should be about 150 here in 4-5 years, just what Florida's economy needs, more homes. We only had home building and low paying tourist industry jobs before recession.
We are in USA's best climate, best location, and cheap to live here year round and Florida can not attract high Tech or more industry then more Real Estaters????? BS!!!!!!
BleuJGourmet writes:
idiots.......oh i forgot, collier is corrupt lol, all we can say is watch out............the swamp is very deep in places.........
haymaker writes:
A 2,200 acre ATV park? This is unbelieveable!
Mohammed_Goldberg writes:
Don't forget the proposed flyover for US 41 and Collier Blvd. The development of more homes means more traffic on Collier Blvd, more demand on the already overloaded water and sewer resources. With year round water restrictions in place, development should be halted until the water situation is rectified.
Beachglow writes:
TIMING IS WRONG, WE DON'T NEED IT, AND SINCE THE JOB MARKET IS SO BAD, WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD OCCUPY THE HOMES ANYWAY?
THIS SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED NOW OR FOR THAT MATTER ANY TIME SOON. TOO MANY HOMES ON THE MARKET AND THESE SO-CALLED 300 JOBS ARE JUST TEMPORARY.
FORGET IT!!!
rtsspeaks writes:
This will require a new road built east of Collier and right through Florida Panther land. New construction gives our politicians new tax money to spend and grease the wheels of government.
We don't need no stinking Florida Panthers!!!!
AmyWojcik writes:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/j...
This is an article from back in June telling everyone about. Don't pretend like this is a shocker. There has also been a sign on Sabal Palm since last season. If you ever go down and buy oranges at Naples South, you will see it. Criticize all you want, but this is not a sneak attack by any means.
PictureLadyHere writes:
Slow down!! Haven't they seen the Collier Blvd skeletons of commercial developments that were never finished; the vacant businesses; vacant houses; the foreclosure signs and Oh right, don't forget Treviso Bay!
cornandbeans writes:
There are cougars all over the southern US . The few left in the everglades is because they weren't supposed to be here in the first place. If Florida doesn't have a single cougar that doesn't mean they are extinct. Alligators and snakes, sure. Cougars? Nah.
woodstocker writes:
If it's your land, you should be able to do with it as you choose. If you don't want development, buy up the land, DUH
ChevyGirl writes:
Call Me Dick, Really??? Do you honestly think this is the first time this project is seeing the light of day? There are procedures to follow when presenting any type of development / ordinance change to the Board, it takes months of prep to get on the agenda.
As far as panthers go, there are only 100 that are tagged therefore there are many that we are unaware of. The panther population has actually incresed over the past decade, and again these are the number of tagged panthers.
As far as this particular development goes, it ain't needed! With so many developers struggling to sell their product , why on earth would another invest millions at this point in time... it's just plain ol bad timimg!
jean writes:
This has got to be stopped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who is going to buy these houses? This will be a failure before it begins. Demolish the forest and then what? Maybe 10 years down the road. Maybe. No rhyme or reason for this development.
nicasa writes:
Good point Kay Deselem!
garnet1995 writes:
please take care of matters now of unoccupied strip mall, condos ,houses, before you build another unoccupied strip mall condo delvelopemnent....jobs created is always the builders defence
nicasa writes:
It does not make economic sense. The proposed plan places additional strain on the already overdeveloped housing market and requires an expansion of the county's current infrastructure to service a new area. With home prices at their lowest in 15 years, and with a community still feeling the impacts of the largest foreclosure crisis our nation has ever seen, WHY would we approve this development?
I have been living here for over 25 years and the last 10 years has been disheartening. Some of us moved to the area because of the natural beauty and sparse development.
livinginnaples writes:
I agree garnet...our area is saturated with abandoned homes and condo units. The forclosures are NOT being processed, they remain on the dockets and until the banks actually finalize their foreclosure inventory and we find the BOTTOM of the market, these albatrosses continue to drag the market down and drag on the enconomy as well. Look at the corners in our county and you will see what businesses are making money....BANKS and PHARMACIES. The are on virtually every corner in this town. Collier really doesn't need more projects like this. Certainly not at this time.
ChevyGirl writes:
A question to the Commissioners from those who would be impacted by this development..... What is the benefit of allowing this development to pass, other than creating jobs in the short term?
bana writes:
Put up or shut up.
Save your own miserable lot.
Company144 writes:
Great reply wolfgang1. Now make sure you go to the meeting and stand up to Colletta and the others who just want to OK anything that brings new money in.
thirdeye writes:
ummhmm yep...bring it on,this will bring jobs to many people
wes writes:
They're most likely just looking for easy approvals in these times and will sit on it as an investment. Easy cash return for some paper shuffling.
Going to any meetings is total waste of time. When they approved that last re-zone it was all over. The Baker Act allows for any other similar type of re-zone applications to be approved and besides, it's jobs, jobs, jobs anyway.
It puzzles me because there are general jobs for the semi-skilled elsewhere. If you came to a place because of construction work, one should expect to move and follow the work elsewhere when it plays out like now. What's wrong with Texas (it's a suburbanite neck's paradise) or Montana or Dubai even. Places where there aren't any endangered species to impede the typical suburbanite's manifest destiny for total convenience all the time no matter what.
Why trash a place in desperation and take away it's unique ecology and dump on the community's future even further for some quick promises? These mirages will come to light all too soon in the form of more crummy typical curb appeal type development in a race to the bottom.
wes writes:
Excuse me. Not the Baker Act- that's what they do with drunks- but the Baker Law. A supreme court ruling a few years back that prohibited denying re-zone requests when similar requests have already been approved.
kakman writes:
The Cougars are not extinct. They just moved west to Handsome Harry's.
cornandbeans writes:
George Bauer - the guy that owns the land - is a good man.
http://engineering.wustl.edu/alumniaw...
He's limited the development to half what Troll Bros wanted, and he isn't shutting down Sportsman Park.
This development should be passed, and Maybe, sometime in the future there will be a spring training camp at Sportsman Park!!
haymaker writes:
Have you tried the new panther Bar-B-Que on the East Trail?
Have one of their special bald eagle cheese fondue niblets that you spear with actual feathers and the manatee steaks served on hot sea turtle shells are to die for!
And then the warm PETA bread is scruptious dipped in hot hummingbird puree!
Now you got a meal deal!
Scientific name:
Mmmmmmmm gud!
tlykos#237303 writes:
The article states that this issue was continued from a September BOCC meeting. Therefore, the developer did not just call up on Sunday and ask to be thrown onto the agenda.
voltihs writes:
What bank would be nuts enough to finance this project given the economy and glut of housing already on the Collier market. Just because interest rates are at an all time low doesn't mean you can get a loan. Low interest rates are even more incentive for banks to tighten the rules because there's less money in it for them.
Localbusinessman writes:
Earlier versions of this project have been on the drawing boards for more than 10 years. This property was purchased by Toll Brothers who defaulted on the purchase several years ago and turned it back to the original owner who is now finally moving the project forward. Most of this land had been previously impacted and is certainly not virgin wetlands. The project will generate $millions in impact fees used to pay off the 951 and other road expansion which has been already built in anticipation of these developments and which we are all now paying for out of the general fund. It will also generate $10's of millions in new property taxes, provide much needed jobs for the construction sector and provide affordable senior living in the immediate vicinity of the Physicians Regional Hospital, currently underutilized by the local community. From someone who has actually looked at this plan, it is my opinion it is very well thought out and the kind of plan that will get the local economy moving again.
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