Just days before a scheduled meeting with the Lee County Hearing Examiner, representatives from the proposed Calusa Cay shopping complex withdrew a request for rezoning.

The developer of the project had been seeking approval to rezone 26.77 acres from its current agricultural/commercial zoning to commercial use only, however, the project had not gained support from the county staff or the Pine Island Civic Association. The proposed use of the property would be for commercial and retail businesses.

While the Pine Island Civic Association had conditionally approved of the first proposed use of the property, during a recent meeting the majority of the membership voted not to support the developer’s current plan for rezoning. According to a report from Phil Buchanan, the membership rejected the building plans because it no longer met the requirements of the PIne Island Plan.

In the initial design, the property was to have been developed as a shopping center with Publix as the anchor store. When Publix did not sign on, however, the plans were tabled and later resurrected with a proposed new plan. According to Buchanan, while the design was made to attempt to be Old Florida style design by utilizing metal roofing and large windows, it still had the appearance of a “big box” and is not in keeping with the Pine Island Plan. Also a concern for the GPICA was that perhaps a project of this scope would potentially encroach on nearby wetlands which would include Little Pine Island.

The proposed project, which would be located at 5100 and 5200 on Pine Island Road neighboring St. James Auto at the island center, would have included 121,400 square feet of commercial floor area with a maximum 100,000 square feet of commercial retail space as well as a large, lighted parking lot to be built on 26.77 acres.

According to County Senior Planner Tony Polermo, this project also had not gained the support of the county staff.

“The county staff’s recommendation was to deny this project,” Palermo said. “While this is a natural location for a commercial site because of its close proximity to the island center, there are some concerns about the buffer between the wetlands and the project area. Also, the project itself is not in keeping with the Pine Island style so we could not support it.”

After withdrawing the request, according to Palermo, the applicant has filled an application with his office to clear the land for agricultural use.

Following the events leading to the withdrawal, Buchanan feels as though this is not the end for the Pine Island Road property.

Buchanan also was not surprised that the developer had withdrawn his original rezoning request with the county.

“They knew they did not have the support of the county staff or the residents of the island for the proposed project so it comes as no surprise that they wouldn’t waste their time with a hearing or trying to pursue it any further,” he said. “I could see that eventually that land will be used for a shopping center or for multi-family dwellings but I don’t see that happening for many years.”

Representives of the property owners, Gary Muller and Matt Uhle, could not be reached for comment.