Southeast Lee LDC amendments

Audubon Western Everglades urged continuation of the hearing, citing rock mine development potential, 32 million square feet of incentivized commercial space, and unanswered stakeholder recommendations on corridors and buffers.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida said basic conservation requirements should stay in the comp plan rather than move to the LDC, where they're easier to weaken, and opposed density increases without clear environmental benefits.

Argued police powers can't be negotiated away to placate developers, noted no public participation plan was offered, and criticized counting parking lots toward development footprints.

A planner representing seven comp plan applicants said projects have waited since 2023 and urged adoption, arguing the LDC preserves the environmental protections.

A land-use attorney said state law requires the board to adopt implementing LDC amendments and warned speakers were asking for uncompensated takings, noting DR/GR developers set aside over 60% of their land.