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Residents air concerns about proposed changes to Calusa Cay Publix Plaza plans

Comments made at GPICA public information meeting about project

By PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com - | May 12, 2022

On Tuesday, May 3, the Greater Pine Island Civic Association had an in-person public information meeting at Pine Island United Methodist Church, regarding requests for changes at the Calusa Cay Publix Plaza.

At the meeting, Banks Engineering planner Stacy Hewitt presented zoning amendment changes for Calusa Cay CPD Lee County Case number DCI 2022-00017.

This amendment contains six items:

1.) Add EMS, Fire or Sheriff’s Station – limited to Sheriff’s Station on Retail Tract schedule of uses

2.) Reduce retail square footage from 96,5000 to 89,600

3.) Add 60,000 square feet of self-storage use on parcel 3

4.) Add warehouse, public and mini warehouse to the schedule of uses for parcel 3

5.) Increase height on parcel 3 for self-storage use only from 35 feet to 38 feet above average grade or 45 feet above mean sea level, whichever is lower

6.) Update master concept plan to reflect these changes

Hewitt pointed out that this plan is compliant with Lee Plan Policy 24.4.1 commercial land uses in both, serving the day-to-day needs of Pine Island residents and visitors and also having a positive impact on traffic, by reducing trips through Matlacha.

This plan is also compliant with LDC Sec. 33-1087 for Pine Island, concerning maximum height of buildings and structures, which states no building or structure may be erected or altered so that the peak of the roof exceeds 38 feet above the average grade of the lot in question or 45 feet above mean sea level, whichever is lower.

Residents attending the meeting raised concerns that if the Lee County Sheriff had an office at this location, the property would ultimately be used at the discretion of the property owner, who could decide to place any retail store in the plaza, leaving islanders no option but to accept whatever is placed on the property.

Additionally, residents also had a concern regarding the current lighting in the Publix parking lot and potential environmental impact of the future storage facility building.

Hewitt assured everyone that the developer is aware of such complaints and the site must comply with all codes.

There will be an upcoming hearing before a hearing examiner, where public concerns can be heard and weighed by those who have registered to speak at the hearing. The hearing examiner will then give a recommendation to Lee County Commissioners, who will make the final decision on these amendments. Anyone who wants to be heard before the Lee County Commissioners has to first speak at the public hearing, before the hearing examiner.

The upcoming public hearing, by law, has to be documented to every resident within 500 feet of the Calusa Cay Publix Plaza.

To look over the current application, please visit: www.leegov.com/dcd/rpts/Documents/DCIUnderReview.pdf and find # DCI 2022-00017