photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Ave Maria could add thousands of homes, sparking resident concerns

Ave Maria could add thousands of homes, sparking resident concerns

 Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

The town of Ave Maria could grow by more than 2,000 acres.

On May 7, the Collier County Planning Commission voted nearly unanimously to recommend in favor of the expansion.

A final decision will be made by county commissioners. A hearing is scheduled for June 9.

Ave Maria Development LLLP (Limited Liability Limited Partnership) has applied to add 2,042 acres to the town. To do so, it needs approval to expand the boundaries of the already designated stewardship receiving area (SRA) for development from 5,928 acres to 7,970 acres.

The expansion would allow for more residential and commercial development.

Barron Collier Cos. is the force behind the town, in partnership with Tom Monaghan, the creator of Domino’s Pizza and founder of Ave Maria University.

Ave Maria: A first for Collier County development
Ave Maria was the first SRA and town to develop under the county’s Rural Lands Stewardship Area, or RLSA, program.

The voluntary program allows developers to build more intense towns and villages on property with lower conservation value, in exchange for preserving more environmentally sensitive land, through a credit system. The program is designed to prevent urban sprawl, addressing state concerns about the protection of wildlife and wetlands out east, dating back to the 1990s.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Collier commissioners unanimously approve new village in rural area

Collier commissioners unanimously approve new village in rural area

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Collier commissioners approved a longtime citrus grower’s plans to build a new village in rural Collier County.

On April 28, commissioners voted unanimously in favor of allowing Fort Myers-based Alico Inc. to create a stewardship receiving area on land where the company has grown and harvested oranges for decades.

The designation as a receiving area will allow Alico to develop a more than 1,400-acre village, known as Corkscrew Grove East, off Corkscrew Road, near State Road 82.

The planning commission recommended approval to county commissioners.

The village could have up to 4,502 residences and nearly 240,000 square feet of commercial uses, including retail shops, restaurants and medical offices, along with at least 45,020 square feet of civic spaces, which could be used for schools, churches and emergency services.

The village will include affordable housing.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

 

Collier planners back new village in rural area near Lee County line

Collier planners back new village in rural area near Lee County line

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

A longtime citrus grower’s plans to build a new village in rural Collier County have cleared another regulatory hurdle.

On March 19, the Collier County Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of allowing Fort Myers-based Alico Inc. to create a stewardship receiving area on land where the company has grown and harvested oranges for decades.

The designation as a receiving area would allow Alico to develop a more than 1,400-acre village, known as Corkscrew Grove East.

The planning commission, sitting as the local planning agency and the Environmental Advisory Council, voted 4-0 to recommend approval to county commissioners, who will make the final decision.

The proposed village would have up to 4,502 residences and nearly 240,000 square feet of commercial uses, including retail shops, restaurants and medical offices, along with at least 45,020 square feet of civic spaces, which could be used for schools, churches and emergency services.

The village would include affordable housing.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Sea cows are plying the Gulf again as coastal temperatures rise

Sea cows are plying the Gulf again as coastal temperatures rise

Chad Gillis | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

It’s that time of year ― the Florida manatee migration is underway.

Each spring thousands of manatees move from warm-water spring and winter havens to coastal bays, rivers and the Gulf beaches.

Wildlife experts are advising boaters and the public to be aware of the moving sea cows and some boating zone changes that will be in place April 1.

“During this time of year, manatees are more likely to be present in rivers, canals and nearshore waters,” a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission press release reads. “Manatees overwinter in Florida springs, power plant discharges and other warm-water sites, and will gradually disperse from these winter habitats as water temperatures rise each spring.”

Lee County typically produces more boat kills than nearly any county in Florida, but Collier County waters account for far fewer deadly encounters.

The Endangered Species Coalition and Save the Manatee Club sent out a press release in favor of manatee protection zones.

“Manatees were one of the first animals protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1973, and their recovery is deeply connected to the Act,” said Susan Holmes, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “When they were first listed, there were fewer than 1,000 manatees in the United States. Today, there are over 8,000 of these gentle giants.”

Read more about the manatees on naplesnews.com.

Collier chugs forward with rail-to-trail plan. Who is paying for it?

Collier chugs forward with rail-to-trail plan. Who is paying for it?

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Plans for a major walking and bicycling trail in Southwest Florida are one step closer to reality.

On March 10, Collier commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of finalizing the county’s purchase of about 24 acres — or about 1.5 miles of the Seminole Gulf Railway — to be included in the first phase of a new recreational trail.

Extending into Lee County, the trail, known as BERT (Bonita-Estero Rail Trail), has been years in the making.

After debate, Collier commissioners agreed to fund virtually all of the county’s land purchase with money from Conservation Collier, a voter-approved, taxpayer-funded program established in 2003 to acquire and preserve environmentally sensitive lands.

Read more about BERT on naplesnews.com.

Big boost for SWFL tourism courtesy of New York Times’ ‘places to go’ list

Big boost for SWFL tourism courtesy of New York Times’ ‘places to go’ list

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

If it’s possible to receive official validation for a comeback from a series of devastating hurricanes, then you could say The New York Times provided a big stamp of approval this week for Southwest Florida.

The Times published its annual “52 to places to go” for 2026, recommending to its audience locations around the world worth visiting this year.

Places like Sorola’s Spain, Winnie-the-Pooh’s England, Assisi, Italy, Dallas, Texas and yes, two islands off the coast of Southwest Florida that most people reading this are very familiar with.

Sanibel and Captiva.

“This recognition proves what we already knew, that Sanibel and Captiva are special, world class, beach destinations that offer unmatched eco-tourism, shelling, and hospitality,” said John Lai, the President and CEO of the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce. “It’s rare to find destinations like ours that intentionally hold 70% in conservation and that in itself sets us apart from similar vacation options.”

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Do you want a home to come to in southwest Florida on or near to Sanibel and Captiva? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.