The Challenges Ahead

Recent reports regarding the noteworthy growth in the taxable value increases within Collier County are significant, showing an approximate 18.5% increase. To some, that number represents more money in government coffers. On the other hand, it is representative of the potential future demands on infrastructure, services and amenities which come about as development occurs.

The staggering growth along the 951/41 corridors in our section of the county continues to grow. The other big growth potential will be seen in the eastern section of the county east of I-75. The City of Naples is essentially built out but becomes ripe for some redevelopment, as is the great majority of North Naples.

Time and time again, we hear from new residents who have moved here from the east coast of Florida that tell horror stories regarding the elbow-to-elbow development in Broward, Palm Beach and Dade Counties. 

They speak about how almost every inch of grass has been replaced by concrete or asphalt and the requirement for street lighting has taken a back seat to the overwhelming illumination given off by signage on commercial and retail buildings.

Mind you, no one is advocating for a moratorium on growth or a restriction on developments. Instead, we are encouraging another look at the requirements for better landscape buffering, smart transportation solutions, public amenities and a review of signage standards.

All of these items will help to ensure we are not going down the same pathway as our friends on the east coast of the state. You only have to try and navigate roadways such as Pines Boulevard or University Drive in Broward County to witness what is lurking on our doorsteps if we do not quickly address some of these issues. 

Unfortunately, only time will tell if we’ve delayed too long in some of these areas, as many plans are already on the drawing boards for a number of significant projects along the 951 corridor and east and west on 41. The population explosion between the Jolley Bridge and the I-75 intersection on 951 is estimated at between 20,000 and 30,000 more residents in the next 20 years.

Couple that with the eruption of commercial development at or near the 951/41 intersection and you can understand the concern most reasonable people might have given the history of development here in Florida.

We’ve just come off one of the busiest seasons we’ve experienced since I came here in 1987. No one expects that the crush of visitors between November and April will subside in future years but instead will continue to grow. What is also in evidence is that they are coming earlier and leaving later, which is good for our businesses, but will definitely put increased pressure on our infrastructure.

Workforce housing is a disaster, and many of our businesses continue to seek an adequate and stable workforce to fill vacancies going back to pre-pandemic levels. 

Never in our history has it been more important to have local, county and state leaders come together to help deal with this increasing demand in the communities we live in. How our community will look in the future depends on what we do to manage this onslaught of development and increase demand for services.

Another factor to be considered in these discussions lies in how to best protect that one valuable resource which is sometimes left out of the discussion held by those that make decisions for us off the island. How do we protect our source of drinking water in the future for our island community?

At the present time the drinking water source for Marco Island lies directly within the area known as “ground-zero” for growth. The development around the area known as Marco Lakes and Henderson Creek is directly adjacent to our water supply. Many are concerned regarding the impact of runoff pollutants into that aquifer and the surrounding areas.

This explosion of commercial and residential growth around this area will be one of the greatest challenges facing this balance between growth and the environment. The lack of discussions regarding this is troubling at best, as the enthusiasm for a potential Sam’s Club, more restaurants, grocery stores and strip malls seems to have more of the attention of elected leaders than does the health of our water supply.

Tens of millions of dollars are being pumped into this area for improvements in intersections and roadways to handle the projections of growth in the next two decades as proof of the anticipated onslaught of development.

Learning from the errors of others and putting safeguards in place to protect a fragile environment while maintaining a high standard for “curb appeal” for future commercial and residential development must be put in place.

Addressing these challenges after the fact is not a viable option. Setting the bar just a little higher for those that would develop here in the county and on the island is nothing to be ashamed of. I only hope we have the vision and courage to do so.