Eden Oak zoning request gets denied

A project planning to bring more housing units to Southwest Florida was denied. On Wednesday, the Lee County Board of Commissioners rejected the Eden Oak zoning request.

Eden Oak, located West of Shell Point Boulevard, near the toll for the Sanibel Causeway. The plan has been a topic of discussion for nearly seven years.

Environmentalists have always hated the idea of building there. After Ian, more people came to see why. They realized how vital mangroves are to their safety, too.

Many locals consider Eden Oak environmentally sensitive because of its mangroves and wetlands. While true, more people have an appreciation for the land after Hurricane Ian because of the protection it provides.

“One of my neighbors said to me, the hurricane could not have occurred at a better time for our cause. I guess that’s the only positive thing that I can think of as far as the outcome of Hurricane Ian,” said Cecil Smith, HOA president for a portion of Palm Acres.

Palm Acres is adjacent to Eden Oaks, and Smith dealt with plenty of damage after Ian. But, he told WINK News it could have been much worse.

“The main point that I made was the preservation of human life,” Smith said.

Lee County commissioners voted unanimously to deny Eden Oak’s zoning request, which would allow a developer to build 55 residential units and a docking facility on 45 acres of the property, according to the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.

“I’m very, very happy that they listened to all the testimony. This has been going on for seven years; we’ve been showing up writing letters and democracy won,” Gene Chandler, an environmentalist, said.

“It’s the people’s advocacy that we always want to hear. It’s great when advocacy comes together… it aligns with what our obvious decision was,” Commissioner Ruane said.

Commissioner Ruane and the CEO of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation told WINK News they’re relieved by the decision.