At the September 10 Charlotte County Board of Commissioners’ meeting, Planning Department staff presented a proposal to hire a consultant to oversee a meeting between Charlotte and Lee County communities, including incorporated Punta Gorda and Cape Coral, to identify residents’ concerns. The proposed timeline for that meeting was January 2025 with a cost of $10,000.
Though the Charlotte County Planning Department would control all aspects of the meeting, including who would attend, questions asked, and how a final report would be drafted, to our shock, they suggested that our local HOAs pay for this meeting. Instead of a cooperative effort among the many areas involved, this would mean shutting out the Coalition and the other three jurisdictions. It is important to note that the county had suggested hiring a consultant, but did not mention that area residents be forced to pay the bill. Why they would introduce such a proposal at the 11th hour is a concern. Also, getting multiple HOAs to agree to fund a proposal would take a year or more – if allowable at all!
The Coalition rejects that proposal for the following reasons. First, the hard work of staff from the three other jurisdictions have already compiled enough information to present a report outlining area resident concerns. Each has already compiled an agenda based on the specific priorities of their communities. Projects have already been identified and some funded, such as a hydrology study, the repaving of Burnt Store Road from the county line to Van Buren Parkway, and the addition of law enforcement resources dedicated along Burnt Store Road by the City of Punta Gorda. Secondly, the process has already exceeded one year. This would slow the process down rather than speed it up. The general feeling by residents is that again Charlotte County seems less committed to a timely process than the other jurisdictions. It is, therefore, the intent of the Coalition to follow the timeline already agreed upon and have such a meeting in November so a final draft can be developed soon after.
Also, later in that same meeting, the commissioners voted to amend the area plan to rezone a 40- acre plot of land owned by area residents, the Fischers. The new zoning will allow for general commercial development on Burnt Store and Peppercorn Road. The owners are interested in bringing much-needed services to the area such as a supermarket and medical facilities. A recent survey by the Coalition showed widespread support for the application and many residents spoke in support of the proposal at the meeting. A new traffic study, however, will need to be approved.
The Coalition would also like to congratulate Pirate Harbor resident Phil Smallwood, who was appointed to the Zoning Board by Commissioner Chris Constance at that meeting. Phil replaces Don McCormick who stepped down earlier this year. Don, long a community supporter, was a member of the South Charlotte Coalition, a precursor to our Coalition.
