FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 2, 2020) – Located at the west corner of State Road 82 and Daniels Parkway, Timber Creek will serve as the future home for a new residential community that will expand options for eastern Lehigh Acres-Fort Myers homeowners. Following a multi-year comprehensive plan amendment process that was approved by Lee County, Morris-Depew Associates secured development permits for the 695-acre mixed-use project.
Approximately 40 acres will be used for mixed planned development, permitted for 250,000 square feet of commercial uses, including 50,000 square feet of medical office and a 150-room hotel. The remaining 655-acre residential planned development will be owned by the Lennar Corporation and offer a mix of single-family and multi-family units.
The firm’s efforts began with a full due diligence of the property and entitlement strategy led by Planning Director Tina Ekblad, along with conceptual site planning efforts by Director of Landscape Architecture Michael Ekblad. Once contract negotiations were complete, the firm began preparation of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to re-designate 628 acres from the Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource and Future Land Use to Sub-Outlying Suburban, and a companion Planned Development rezoning for the residential and mixed-use development tracts.
During this year-and-a-half process, all of Morris-Depew Associates’ departments collaborated in the design and permitting.
Wetland Surveys were performed to accurately map the wetlands on site to support a jurisdictional wetland determination by the South Florida Water Management District. Once affirmed, the wetland locations were also incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan Amendment request ensuring the Future Land Use Map reflected “on the ground” conditions.
Morris-Depew Associates’ Landscape Architecture division collaborated with Lennar to develop various residential and commercial designs and maximize the property’s access.
Civil engineering work included full design for the subdivision as well as establishing a surface water management plan for the property to ensure proper drainage and roadway infrastructure to support the community’s growth. The firm will also provide support services throughout the construction phase.
During the County’s review process, it was also reported that the property would have limited impact to surrounding natural preserves as the property does not support wildlife corridors for species such as the Florida panther and Florida black bear. This is due to the property being bordered on two sides by multi-lane arterial roadways and urban development, including a developed portion of Lehigh Acres to the north and Gateway to the west. Additionally, the development plan maximizes the preservation of wetlands, an oak hammock and other native habitats as well establishing dedicated open spaces and recreational areas.
The project was previously unanimously approved by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners and the Lehigh Acres Architectural, Planning & Zoning Review Board and commenced construction earlier this year.
Celebrating 30 years of serving Southwest Florida, Morris-Depew Associates is a multiservice consulting firm with specialties in civil engineering, land planning, expert witness, landscape architecture and surveying and mapping services. MDA’s efforts are based on a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to the planning and design processes, which emphasizes interaction within the firm’s allied professional expertise in conjunction with the client’s objectives and ultimate needs. The members of MDA have experience in the planning and design of a wide variety of urban, residential, commercial, industrial, recreational and community-oriented projects ranging from large-scale resort residential projects to urban community spaces and commercial multiuse developments.
For more information, contact 239-337-3993 or visit www.morris-depew.com.
