At this week's Board Of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, a motion was approved to pause the board's decision on sweeping changes that would impact community plans through the CPA2026-00005 amendment. The amendment proposes eliminating all 17 community plans from Lee County's comprehensive growth management plan, and was scheduled for board vote on Oct. 7. This date had already been pushed back from the amendment's original, even shorter, timeline for decision-making.

The motion approved on Tuesday called for:

• Cancellation of the current schedule for CPA-2026-00005
• Lee County staff to return with a revised schedule for decision on the amendment, no date has yet been set
• A revised, stronger communication plan for informing the public on expected changes from this amendment

Commissioner Kevin Ruane proposed the motion to pause the vote on the amendment affecting community plans, citing a lack of time to fully consider the significant comprehensive plan changes and address community members' concerns. He referenced an additional '17 hyperlinks and 100+ more pages' requiring board review on top of the 334-page amendment document that was initially released.

The motion to slow the pace on these sweeping changes is a direct result of advocacy from concerned Lee County residents.

DR/GR Amendment Status

The Board also discussed the status of a separate comprehensive plan amendment, CPA2026-00004, which would allow increased development in the sensitive Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource (DR/GR) area of Eastern Lee County. SCCF has opposed development in this area due to its sensitive nature, the ecosystem services and critical habitat it provides, and the precedent development in historically protected areas could set. The Board said this amendment would move forward as scheduled, with review by the Florida Department of Commerce following the BOCC's unanimous vote to transmit the changes. The amendment pertaining to community planning (2026-00005) though, will be paused and considered separately from the DR/GR development decision.

While it is encouraging to see the Oct. 7 deadline for the community plan amendment removed, the decision is still expected down the road. In the meantime, your advocacy is more important than ever!

Please follow the links below to learn how these proposed changes could potentially impact Captiva, as well as other communities. Please contact the BOCC to share your questions and concerns.

Contact Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)

Commissioner Kevin Ruane: dist1@leegov.com or 239-533-2224

Chairman Cecil Pendergrass: dist2@leegov.com or 239-533-2227

Commissioner David Mulicka: dist3@leegov.com or 239-533-2223

Commissioner Brian Hamman: dist4@leegov.com or 239-533-2226

Commissioner Trish Petrosky: dist5@leegov.com or 239-533-2225

Thank you for your continued support towards our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems.

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in 1967 on Sanibel Island, Florida

EIN 59-1205087

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