Estero Parkway and Three Oaks Parkway
A new mixed-use development called “TRG Estero” by The Residential Group is planned for the southwest corner of Estero Parkway and Three Oaks Parkway. The site covers 31 acres and includes roughly five acres of preserved wetlands and an enhanced landscape buffer on the west side.
The Residential Group is proposing up to 370 multi-family units, including a mix of studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The plans feature an attractive design with three- and four-story buildings in a blended Mediterranean Revival and Modern Coastal style along with 33,000 square feet of retail and commercial areas, including open-air cafes, shaded walkways and shops.
The original plan for the site was a massive 250,000-square-foot commercial shopping complex, proposed in May 1994. It has been vacant for 32 years. It also could have resulted in a factory, box store or service station. The Residential Group is requesting a rezoning of the 31.26-acre property from Commercial Planned Development (CPD) to Mixed Use Planned Development (MPD).
The new proposal was formally presented to the Planning, Zoning and Design Board during a public information meeting on May 19, 2026. Because it was an informational meeting to review the initial proposal and site plans, no official vote took place. As part of the rezoning process, the developer is actively seeking several code deviations, including:
- Lowering the standard parking requirement from two spaces per unit to 1.75 spaces per unit.
- Approval for two vehicle access points located relatively close to the main intersection (one 602 feet out on Estero Parkway and another 355 feet out on Three Oaks Parkway).
The project has drawn concern from neighboring areas, particularly residents living in the Rookery Pointe community located directly to the west. During the May meeting, six written eComment cards were submitted into the official record and five residents spoke publicly against elements of the plan.
Comments focused on:
- Traffic Influx: Residents point out that the intersection is already incredibly busy. Lee County data from 2025 noted that Three Oaks south of Estero Parkway already experiences roughly 24,000 daily vehicles. Neighbors worry that 370 units and 33,000 square feet of retail space will cause severe bottlenecks.
- Flooding & Water Management: Locals raised significant alarms about infrastructure, local water issues and flooding risk. The area is currently open land that acts as a natural habitat. While the developer promised to preserve roughly 5 acres of wetlands and build an enhanced landscape buffer on the west side, residents remain skeptical about the displacement of stormwater runoff.
- Infrastructure Strain: General concerns were voiced regarding whether local utilities and roads can sustain the rapid pace of population growth in Greater Estero.
At this time, no firm decisions have been made regarding the proposed project.
