Neighbors sink plan to bulldoze mangroves to build 55-home development near Shell Point

Commissioners reject plan to develop 55 homes on the Eden Oak area near Shell Point

Lee County commissioners have rejected a proposal to sacrifice 30 acres of mangroves to make way for a development of 55 new homes off Shell Point Boulevard.

The commission's unanimous vote came after residents of the booming Shell Point Retirement Community and the nearby Palm Acres residential community explain how they owe their lives, and property, to mangrove plants that buffered surging gulf waters as Hurricane Ian reached land six months ago.

The development proposal, which has taken nearly eight years to reach county commissioners for a vote, would have included 55 new single-family homes on a 306-acre parcel with 13 mooring slips for boats.

The land is currently zoned for agricultural use and the developer applied for a residential designation to allow the new construction.