April Fools' Day.
That's when the Collier Planning Commission is scheduled to next take up a couple of developments targeted for the Rural Lands Stewardship Area, or RLSA.
Collier Enterprises representatives are making their pitch in the initial stages to help develop an eastern county area larger than Manhattan and the city of San Francisco combined — about 45,000 acres.
Most but not all speaking in at least a pair of previous meetings leading up to the April 1 hearing have raised concerns for wildlife, such as the animals roaming the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge in that region.
But proponents have referenced two decades ago when politicians, powerful landowners and environmentalists seemed to reach what they term a "grand compromise" intended to protect nature as much as possible. At the time, many in the public were led to believe buildable areas would total a largely compact, significantly less 16,000-some acres in the RLSA.
However, late maneuvering just before a County Commission vote instead opened the door to space for about two Fort Lauderdales.
Is growth really paying for itself?
It's a term Southwest Florida politicians love to use: Growth should pay for itself.
But does it always? Maybe not.
County Attorney Jeffrey Klatzkow conceded the possibility in a Collier meeting last week: "We do not charge the full impact fees that we can. That's a policy decision."
Due to that policy decision made by the Collier County Commission, fiscal neutrality isn't always possible when it comes to covering the cost of infrastructure, such as roads, parks and water and sewer plants, needed to support new development, Klatzkow said.
His comments came after an In the Know report taking a took a closer look at the "offensive" math formulas to determine fiscal neutrality, which the county is supposed to consider as part of project proposals. Essentially the term suggests that taxpayers aren't left holding the bag for hundreds of millions of dollars for roads, sewers and services needed to go with construction.
That's part of what's in play with the RLSA villages on April 1 when the Planning Commission meets at 9 a.m. on the third floor of the administration building at 3299 Tamiami Trail E., Naples.
Residents can also view this gathering on the web by going to colliercountyfl.gov and clicking on the Collier TV LIVE button on the left side of the page. To participate in the session as a speaker remotely, search "Planning Commission" on the main Collier page and that will guide you to the page that will soon have the agenda and further links.
More growth and development news
» With a lot more options out there since its 1982 debut, a 343,000-square-foot shopping center has been making moves to compete with 1998's Miromar Outlets, 2005's Gulf Coast Town Center, 2006's Coconut Point mall and others.
» Another Southwest Florida institution for more than four decades has changed hands a few times during that span, but never has changed concepts. Until now, according to reporter David Dorsey.
» Want to help local small businesses get back on their feet and start building up again? Here's one way.
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The Link LonkMarch 24, 2021 at 08:21AM
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Breaking Ground newsletter: Developing in panther habitat area no April Fools joke - Naples Daily News
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