Eden Oak zoning hearing continued to October
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation recently provided an update on Eden Oak.
On May 18, it reported that the public hearing for final closing arguments for staff and the property owner that was set for June 3 has been continued to Oct. 21. It will take place at 9 a.m. at the Hearing Examiner’s Hearing Room, at 1500 Monroe St., Second Floor, Fort Myers, and is open to the public.
According to the Office of the Lee County Hearing Examiner, the property owner requested a third continuance on May 5 because the parties are awaiting action and/or recommendation by the Conservation 20/20 Committee on the potential acquisition of the property under the program. The following day the Hearing Examiner granted the continuance.
At the property owner’s request, staff negotiations to acquire the property were on hold until the property owner submitted their own appraisal, the SCCF reported. The property owner’s privately obtained appraisal was recently delivered to County Lands staff. Due to the detailed nature of the nomination, the staff analysis will be comprehensive and lengthy.
The SCCF noted that the property has been recommended for purchase by both the County Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee and Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
All public testimony on the property owner’s zoning application was completed in 2019, so there will be no further opportunity for public input until the case is presented to the county commission.