Estero residents unsure about new development plans

Author: Christina Lusby
Published: Updated:

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Estero residents say they’re worried about traffic and their safety if a new development is built.

Plans are in the works for an apartment complex to go near U.S. 41 and Estero Parkway.

A group of residents spoke before the Planning and Zoning Committee saying the project doesn’t match Estero’s ideals.

“All of the area around, there are no apartments, why would we want apartments in our community?” said resident Jerry Koss.

Koss and dozens of others want the county to hold off on the Estero Grande project and let Estero become a village.  They propose to have local elected representatives sort out a plan.

“We feel we are being pushed to accept this. I can’t say it’s undesirable but it’s something that won’t benefit our area,” said Koss.

Many residents believe Lee County should of brought them in on the development plans sooner.

“We would of preferred it stay residential but we are now at a point in the process where we dont think we can affect the kind of property that is being built there,” said Joe Elam.

No surrounding communities are happy about the 285 unit apartment complex but some Terra Vista residents felt better about the developer Terracap Partners after they met.

“We were in favor of the project after we met with them because we had several concerns and they addressed them completely,” said Elam.

Still, some have concerns over how the development will impact traffic and crime in the area.

“It’s not really what we expected by living here.”

Lee County is recommending the project for approval, community leaders will vote on November 4th.

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