Fiddler’s Creek Section 29 Rezoning Update

Despite widespread public opposition, Collier County Commissioners approved a proposal by Fiddler’s Creek to build 750 multi-family residential units on a 50-acre parcel known as Section 29, which lies adjacent to state and federal conservation lands. 

Although not under an active conservation easement, Section 29 had been previously identified as a potential panther mitigation area by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after earlier phases of Fiddler’s Creek impacted Florida panther habitat. 

Through a series of zoning and Growth Management Plan amendments, the land was re-designated as a “Development Area,” clearing the way for new residential construction. Concerned citizens and conservationists warn that the potential development poses severe environmental and safety hazards.  

Bridget Washburn, Executive Director of Audubon Western Everglades, views the re-zoning decision as not just a bad idea, but a breach of responsible planning. “The impacts that would stem from moving forward with the Section 29 development are too great to justify building there,” Washburn said. “We’re talking about irreversible harm - not only to wildlife but to water quality, hydrology, and long-term public safety.” 

Section 29 sits in the Rural Fringe Mixed Use Neutral Area, a zoning designation that, according to Washburn, was never intended to accommodate dense development. “It’s not in a designated sending or receiving area, and yet it holds immense environmental value. That alone should raise red flags.” 

The land, once pasture, has over the last decade reverted to wetlands, now comprising an estimated 88% wetland coverage. Located between Collier-Seminole State Park, Ten Thousand Islands, and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Section 29 is one of the few remaining wildlife corridors connecting these critical ecosystems. 

One of the most urgent worries involves the Florida panther, a federally endangered species that requires large corridors to roam. Telemetry data confirms that collared panthers have used this land, but Washburn highlights that the real number is likely higher. 

“Not all cats are tagged,” She emphasized. “The fact that this land was once considered federal panther mitigation should be enough to stop the project outright.”  

In 2024 alone, 36 panthers were killed, with 29 deaths due to vehicle strikes. Washburn estimates the development would generate around 600 new daily vehicle trips, many using Auto Ranch Road, a narrow route through panther territory. “Every car added to these roads increases the likelihood of another death. With a population this small, each loss is devastating,” Washburn noted.  

Section 29 is also within a Coastal High Hazard Area, raising concerns about flooding and emergency evacuation capacity. “Auto Ranch Road already floods,” Washburn said. “This isn’t just an environmental issue;it’s a public safety issue.” In the event of a hurricane, added population density could also overwhelm evacuation routes. “We already don’t have enough capacity,” she added. “It’s a poor use of taxpayer dollars.” 

Supporters of the potential Section 29 development argue that affordable housing would be a positive outcome, noting the high need of such in Collier County. Washburn acknowledges their interest, agreeing that there is an affordable housing scarcity, but it must be guided by sensible land-use planning. “We fully support the need for affordable housing. But we need to be asking the right questions: Where is it safe? Where is it sustainable? Section 29 is neither.” 

She emphasized that the Comprehensive Plan, the foundational document that guides long-term land use, development, conservation, and infrastructure planning, was designed to protect community priorities like public safety, efficient land use, and natural resource conservation. “We need to be thinking long-term. not short-sighted.” 

While the development has moved through multiple levels of approval, Washburn stressed that it is not necessarily a done deal. Audubon Western Everglades has submitted formal comments to the Department of Commerce, which has the authority to halt or alter the project. “There are still paths forward. People think this is over, but it’s not. Public comment, pressure, and litigation still matter.” 

Washburn encourages residents to stay engaged, speak out, and support local conservation organizations. “The more voices we have, the better chance we have of protecting this land.”