Council continues hearing on proposed Treeline/Daniels rezoning after strong neighborhood opposition

The Fort Myers City Council continued public hearings on a proposed future land-use map amendment and rezoning for roughly 21 acres north of Daniels Parkway and east of Treeline Avenue to Nov. 17 after community opposition and a staff notice issue.

Community Development Director Steve Belden told council staff needed to continue both files because the required public notice signage had not been posted in a timely manner. "We had an issue with the posting of the signage... so we do need to continue this until the November 17 meeting date certain," Belden said (00:46:28).

Several Ward 6 residents spoke in opposition, citing traffic safety, inadequate transportation analysis and water/infrastructure capacity. Mike Fitzgerald said the site had been designated for light industrial use in April 2024 and urged council to "stop the Groundhog Cycle" of repeated rezoning requests (00:47:21). Bob McConaughey and other neighbors said the developer's traffic study showed failing levels of service at nearby intersections and noted the county would not fund road improvements at the intersection, which could shift the burden to the city.

Council moved, without opposition, to continue both the future-land-use amendment (CPA 25-0014) and the rezoning (Ordinance 4068/4072) to the Nov. 17 regular meeting at 5:15 p.m. in Council Chambers, allowing additional review and proper notice.

The continuance preserves the current industrial/light-industrial land-use designation for the site until council revisits the matter on Nov. 17.