Planning Commission Denies Petition for Capri High-Rise Zoning Request

After another almost full day of hearings, the Collier Planning Board voted 6-1 to deny FCC Beach and Yacht’s rezoning request for the Isles of Capri. The rezone petition was to build three 168-foot high-rise condominiums in a currently designated C3 commercial zoned area. The hearing picked up where it left off on September 1st with more public comment and a final rebuttal from Attorney Rich Yovanovich, representing the FCC.

Speakers from Isles of Capri were united in their desire to have the property remain C3 commercial, a point made when representatives of Capri Community Inc. and SaveCapri.org met with Yovanovitch. At the last meeting, planning commissioners suggested the two sides get together and see if there was a compromise they could agree upon. Yovanovich pointed out that his client was willing to talk about height and density at that meeting but Isles of Capri residents remained staunch in their desire to keep the property zoned commercial and the meeting “lasted less than seven minutes.”

Later in the hearing Planning Commissioner Vernon picked up on that notion, throwing out different, smaller height numbers and asking Yovanovich if those were acceptable for his client. Yovanovich came back after the lunch break with a staggered height proposal on the three buildings which would reduce the density from 108 units down to 90. When asked, Director of Planning and Zoning, Mike Bosi, told commissioners that the reduced height and density would not change staff’s opinion that the request be denied. Yovanovich maintained the project was compatible to the area, the density was allowable and would benefit the residents.

The planning commissioners laid out their votes during deliberations. Commissioner Shea supported the staff recommendation and so said no. Commissioner Schmitt, the lone yes vote, believes that C3 is not compatible to the area and would create more traffic and noise headaches for the residents. Commissioner Fry said that residents “are more united on this than anything I’ve seen in four years.” He did not see that this would benefit the residents, only the developer, a sentiment shared by Commissioner Vernon. Chairman Fryer brought up compatible and complementary and believes the project “falls way short of this standard.”

Planning commissioners then counseled the residents that while they may have won this battle, they have not won the war. They still counsel talking with the developer and bridging the gap on what is acceptable because this land “will be developed,” and the Collier Board of Commissioners are the final arbiter on the petition. The Board of County Commissioners is slated to take this up at their October 11th meeting.