Crossing Church plans sale to fund campus upgrades as neighbors warn of flooding and traffic

Crossing Church representatives told the Land Use Hearing Master that selling a portion of their 53.7‑acre campus and rezoning it to allow a 325‑unit apartment development would provide funds to pave and expand the church’s badly degraded parking area and address persistent on‑site safety concerns. Jonas Allday, the church’s executive pastor, said proceeds will help "build a better parking area for our people" and improve on‑site circulation and safety.

Development Services and the applicant’s traffic consultant presented modeling showing the proposed multifamily use would generate fewer daily vehicle trips than some of the highest‑intensity entitlements that could be built under existing zoning; the consultant and county traffic staff said intersection operations could be kept at acceptable levels with targeted turn lanes and interconnection strategies. Still, multiple residents testified to long‑running flooding and drainage problems in nearby neighborhoods and asked for enforceable commitments that stormwater runoff will be reduced and that site redevelopment not exacerbate existing flooding.

County staff noted the proposal will proceed to site development review if rezoning is approved and that stormwater and Southwest Florida Water Management District permitting will be required to meet current retention and discharge standards. Church leaders and nearby residents encouraged a negotiated approach: the church emphasized community benefits of improved parking, stronger campus security and funding for local programs; residents pressed for firm, verifiable stormwater and roadway improvements prior to building permits.