A Lee County staff report obtained by Fox 4 Senior Reporter Kaitlin Knapp explains why it recommended the Hearing Examiner to deny an application to rezone a portion of Upper Captiva.
However, the examiner didn’t get to that point because the applicant withdrew the request. People from the island still came out to the public hearing, just in case of any changes.
Watch Kaitlin Knapp’s report where she breaks down the report and the rebuttal from the applicant:
‘Change the character’: Lee County report explains recommendation to deny Upper Captiva rezoning proposal
“We’re happy, but we’re still — it’s going to be a while before we unwind from all the tension this has caused the community,” said Upper Captiva homeowner, Van Hammond, who lives next to the lots that were potentially going to be rezoned.
There are three lots on 1.15 acres, which is currently zoned for residents. However, the proposal wanted a 10-unit hotel, retail and office space.
At a hearing to take public comment, the applicant, Michael Roeder, formally withdrew the request. He declined to speak to Knapp about it.