Council approves filling two private ponds, requires capping artesian wells and new stormwater systems

City council on Oct. 15 approved two companion petitions from the owner of 2200 and 2340 Gordon Drive to fill artificial ponds that sit entirely on private property and are hydraulically maintained by artesian wells.

The petitioner’s team said the ponds were excavated decades ago and have been sustained by groundwater that flows through private artesian wells. Attorney Francesca Passadomo and environmental consultant Tim Hall told council the ponds are man‑made aesthetic features with hardened shorelines and limited native habitat, and that the ponds have attracted non‑native fish species (tilapia) and do not perform stormwater detention for surrounding properties.

Engineer Blair A. Foley described a simultaneous construction plan: the wells will be capped under South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) methods, ponds will be filled with clean material, and the owners will install new in‑ground stormwater systems that meet the City of Naples’ 2021 stormwater code (catch basins, rock trenches, French drains and control structures). Foley said the revised designs will increase on‑site capture and reduce uncontrolled overflow; the petitioner’s engineer quantified a reduced peak discharge to the city system after the improvements.

Staff report: Natural Resources Manager Natalie Hardman told council staff has reviewed the applications and does not object; the public‑records review found the ponds are not part of the municipal stormwater network and staff confirmed there is no city‑owned stormwater infrastructure in the pond basins. Staff and the petitioner agreed that well abandonment must follow SFWMD guidelines.

Outcome: Council member Bill Kramer moved approval of the petition for 2200 Gordon Drive; Council member Beth Petronoff seconded. The resolution passed 5–1 (Mayor Theresa Heitman voted no). A second resolution to approve filling at 2340 Gordon Drive carried by the same 5–1 margin.

Conditions and follow up: Both approvals require the property owner to abandon and cap artesian wells per SFWMD rules and to construct on‑site stormwater facilities to meet current city standards prior to final approvals. The city indicated it will review the submitted abandonment permits and the engineered stormwater designs during building‑permit review and before allowing final site work to proceed.

Why it matters: The action removes long‑standing private ponds that draw groundwater, replaces them with engineered stormwater control systems, and requires well abandonment. Petitioners argued the change will reduce the risk of invasive species spreading and limit uncontrolled overflows to public right‑of‑way. Council asked for technical details at the time of permit review; staff and the petitioners said experts were available to answer follow‑up technical questions during building‑permit review.

What was said (select quotes): Tim Hall, environmental consultant: “The ponds are not natural systems. They are man‑made aesthetic components … and are artificially hydrated through the artesian wells.” Engineer Blair Foley: “We will install a compliant stormwater system with the 2021 code on both lots … the water will be directed into a rock system that will provide water‑quality and quantity controls that meet the code and exceed the code.”