Community Planning Articles

The Economic and Social Impact of Workforce Housing Shortages Part 3

The lack of affordable workforce housing in southern Lee County has significantly impacted our local economy and social fabric. Businesses feel the strain, community services are stretched thin, and residents face decreased quality of life. We must address this...
Traffic on Corkscrew Road – Traveling East Corkscrew Road. Is it Safer?

Traffic on Corkscrew Road – Traveling East Corkscrew Road. Is it Safer?

East Corkscrew Road had improvements in 2014/2015 to help with traffic, but it was not enough. Lee County Department of Transportation (LDOT) collaborated with the developer as the Wild Blue Estero, FL development was planned and approved. LDOT required the Wild Blue east entrance to line up with Bella Terra Blvd.

In 2018, with road impact fees, LDOT installed a traffic signal at Bella Terra Blvd and Corkscrew Road. In April 2021, East Corkscrew Road widening, Phase I (Ben Hill Griffin to the east border of Bella Terra) started. As the Rivercreek development was planned and approved, working with LDOT, their entrance was aligned with the west entrance of Wild Blue. In 2023, the Rivercreek developer, GL Homes, worked with LDOT to fund a traffic signal. There is still hope the Wild Blue community will pay their fair share, as the warrants are not there for LDOT to fund a traffic signal.

What to do when a hurricane threatens

What to do when a hurricane threatens

Hurricanes are violent and dangerous to your family and your home. When a hurricane threatens to bear down, make sure that you know how to batten down your hatches and protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property. When it's hurricane season Hurricane season...

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Unraveling the Mystery of Development Impact Fees

Unraveling the Mystery of Development Impact Fees

Few people, outside of the local, county, and state government agencies, understand "Development Impact" fees. The ECCL monitors impact fees, and their use in Estero and surrounding communities. The following information will help you understand what they are, how...

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Census 2020

Census 2020

We all know how important funding is to support our state and local programs, so we are supporting the Census Bureau 2020 informational initiative to explain the importance of every head in SWFL being counted. Federal support is crucial to assist our population and...

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The DR/GR – What is it and why you should care about it

The DR/GR – What is it and why you should care about it

DR/GR stands for density reduction - groundwater resource. It is a large area of land (over 80,000 acres) just east of Estero that was established jointly in 1990 by the State of Florida and Lee County with the specific purpose of protecting the principal water supply...

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Does the Hertz Arena revised paint scheme meet code?

Does the Hertz Arena revised paint scheme meet code?

On Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 the Design Review Board (DRB) will conduct a Public Information Meeting about the revised painting proposal for the “Germain Arena” in response to a naming agreement between the Hertz Corporation and KTB Florida Sports Arena LLC, the...

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First Half Single Family Home Sales Remain Steady

First Half Single Family Home Sales Remain Steady

Based on MLS records, one hundred-fifteen (115) single family homes were sold in May and June 2018. Although this is twenty-six (26) fewer than the comparable months of 2017, sales for the entire second quarter ended June 30 edged up three percent (3%) from last...

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