The community of Alva may be issuing a collective sigh of relief. Momentary relief. DR Horton’s Forestar backed away from a plan to buy 561 acres to build 737 single-family dwellings. And while Alva takes a breath, they have to know those 561 acres are still there. Awaiting another suitor which will bring another threat to their rural environment which includes a preserve on three sides, home to wildlife − birds, bears and the disappearing Florida panther. Further, there can be found the increasingly rare home with acreage hosting horses, cattle, gardens and − space.
It’s probably not lost on these Alva residents that their slice of paradise is about the only place in Lee County with any real acreage left, all other communities having largely succumbed to rows of roofs. (Despite robust resistance from the locals which Alva residents, no doubt, have watched with anxious anticipation.)
The News-Press has recently published several interesting articles about voters in other counties resisting pro-development incumbents in favor of “slow-growth” candidates. Manatee County has been the number one maverick lately with variances for large-scale communities denied, impact fees raised despite a prohibition by the state, and pro-development incumbents being dismissed. Lee County has even witnessed our own rebellion when two Fort Myers Beach pro-development City Council members were removed in a special election. Other counties have reported some surprising wins for environment over development…