No limerock mine for Real Estate Estero FL, but another 5,200 new homes in Corkscrew corridor

A proposed settlement to a long court battle over a mining permit denied by Lee County Commissioners seven years ago would mean replacing plans for mining with a residential community of as many as 5,200 new homes.

Lee County and FFD Land Co. a subsidiary of the Immokalee-based Lipman family agricultural interests, have agreed to settle the suit FFD filed after commissioners denied a mining permit for 4,652 acres on Corkscrew Road in 2013.

FFD sought $39 million in damages and $21 million for value of the land.

While the mining application covered 4,600 acres, approximately 600 additional acres of Lipman family-controlled land next to the proposed mine would be added to the parcel as part of the court settlement.

Jaime Weisinger, an executive with the family agricultural business, declined to comment on the plans while legal work to settle the court suit continues.

The agreement was explained by Lee County Attorney Richard Wesch during the public portion of an attorney/client meeting which began as a closed-door conference of commissioners, county staff and outside legal counsel.

“Sixty-five percent of the property will be set aside for open space purposes that would include preservation and restoration management plan for the property, hydrological preservation plan restoring flowways. A minimum of 56 percent must be placed in a conservation easement,” Wesch said. “The maximum density would be no more than one unit per acre.”

Lee County’s agreement to allow more housing units along Corkscrew Road came as a surprise to civic leaders in Estero.

“It’s better than putting more mines up there,” said Jim Gilmartin, president of the Estero Council of Community Leaders.

After Wesch, an outside law firm hired by the county, briefed them privately, the board held a public meeting. Only two people attended: attorney Russell Schropp, who had represented FFD when the county rejected its original mining application, and a reporter from The News-Press.

In 2013, the commission’s review of the mine proposal was brief. Schropp agreed with the county hearing examiner that the proposal could not meet the mining rules in place at that time. Since then, the county has removed two key requirements that hindered the approval of the FFD mine. Now, a proposed mine no longer needs to be located within the confines of Map 14, which designated areas where mining was allowed. Additionally, the requirement to demonstrate a need for limerock before opening new mines has been eliminated.

corkscrew road development estero fort myers

The data above provides the information on the number of homes in the various communities on East Corkscrew Road (East of Ben Hill Griffin), updated as of July 2021. There has been a significant increase in the number of homes on East Corkscrew. When all the homes are completed the total number will be a further 66% higher than the 2020 figure. The ECCL tracks this data and updates quarterly on our website under the Safety Council.

FAQs

1. What is the current status of the mining permit dispute on Corkscrew Road?

A proposed settlement aims to resolve a long-standing dispute over a denied mining permit. Instead of mining, the settlement will allow for the development of up to 5,200 new homes in the area.

2. What were the original plans for the land in question?

FFD Land Co. initially sought a mining permit for 4,652 acres on Corkscrew Road, with plans for additional land. The company had requested $39 million in damages and $21 million for the land’s value after the permit was denied in 2013.

3. What are the key terms of the proposed settlement?

The settlement includes converting the land into a residential community with a maximum density of one unit per acre. Sixty-five percent of the property will be set aside for open space, including conservation easements and hydrological preservation.

4. How will the settlement impact the Corkscrew Road area?

The settlement will replace the mining plans with the development of up to 5,200 new homes. The community will have significant open space and conservation areas, preserving much of the land’s natural resources.

5. How did local officials and residents react to the settlement?

Local officials and civic leaders in Estero were surprised by the agreement but generally view it positively, seeing it as a preferable alternative to mining. Jim Gilmartin, president of the Estero Council of Community Leaders, remarked that it is better than having more mining operations.

6. What changes have occurred in county regulations since the original mining permit application?

Since 2013, Lee County has removed restrictions that previously hindered mining proposals. Mines no longer need to be within Map 14. Additionally, the requirement to demonstrate a demand for limerock has been eliminated.

7. How has the number of homes along East Corkscrew Road changed recently?

As of July 2021, there has been a significant increase in the number of homes on East Corkscrew Road. The total number of homes is projected to be 66% higher than the figure from 2020 once all developments are completed.