Charlotte County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 10 unanimously approved rezoning a 41.31-acre parcel at 17150 Burnt Store Road. The owners of the property are trying to attract more commercial development to the area.
Burnt Store Corridor residents and members of the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition have been clamoring for the zoning change that could pave the way for a retail center anchored by Publix with other businesses and services.
Residents living in communities along Burnt Store Road have to drive 8 to 10 miles north or south to reach a Publix, stores, services and medical facilities.
Pirate Harbor residents William and Laura Fischer, whose company, Jaxson Fischer LLC, owns the acreage in the southern portion of the county in Punta Gorda, were represented by their attorney, and a professional planner and a transportation expert gave presentations stating why the area is ripe for retail commercial development during a June 8 Planning and Zoning Board meeting.
A board majority approved the request and sent its consensus to commissioners, who engaged in a lengthy discussion at the Sept. 10 meeting.
For many months members of the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition, headed by John Fleming, have been asking the county to rezone the Fischers’ land originally zoned for residential development to commercial. They contended the area already has too many housing developments and some of the homes lie vacant and unsold.
More than a dozen residents living in Burnt Store Road area communities urged commissioners to support rezoning the Fischers’ property. Several of them said the Fischers would act on behalf of residents’ wants and needs.
“We are looking at people who have a commitment to the community,” said Mary Ellen Kiss, a founder of the BSCC.
At earlier meetings, commissioners expressed concerns that if they approved the rezoning, the property owners could either flip the land to make a profit or incoming commercial businesses might not provide the needs and services residents want.
“The Fischers are not flippers,” said Sally Walsh, who lives along the corridor in Punta Gorda.
Kiss said the Fischers are taking into consideration area residents’ needs.
At past meetings, corridor residents spoke of the lack of medical services, such as an urgent care facility, post office, barber shop and hardware store. The nearest store for many is a Dollar General.
At prior meetings, Fleming said some call 911 for minor medical emergencies that could be treated at a walk-in clinic. “I have to drive 14 miles to a doctor. During Hurricane Ian, it took me six hours to get food,” he said.
Residents expressed concerns for elderly residents who can’t or don’t want to drive distances for groceries, while some cited wear and tear on their vehicles and burning more gas because they must drive upwards of 20 miles roundtrip for essentials.
Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch said although county officials maintained the area wouldn’t get a supermarket until there was a larger population, “we have to take a leap of faith and move ahead.”
Although commissioners approved the rezoning, the applicants must provide a traffic study before it is enacted.
Following the meeting, Fleming said, “The coalition is grateful for the thoughtful deliberation by the board in reaching their decision. We now look forward to working with the Fischers to bring much-needed resources to the area.”
