Estero Village Council approved the beginning of a rezoning process of 19 acres of village-owned property on the north side of Williams Road and south of Estero Community Park. 

The property consists of two parcels, with the eastern part of the site occupied by the Golf Coast Driving Range and the west remaining vacant after being obtained through a land swap and purchase from a church.  

The east parcel is zoned for commercial planned development, with the west parcel zoned for agricultural.  

“As we buy property, one of the first actions that we need to look at as the owner of [the] property is how to properly rezone the property for our intended use,” Village Manager Steve Sarkozy said.  

Since the staff has been evaluating possible uses of the vacant parcel, the zoning needs to be changed to accommodate future uses. 

Staff recommends rezoning to Estero planned development with the intention of having recreational uses on the vacant parcel. Other uses under the proposed zoning include recreational, sports-related use, restaurants and entertainment.  

The rezoning will not affect the driving range, as the zoning for the east parcel is limited to the driving range commercial recreation use. 

The entire process for the rezoning is estimated to take a total of two months if approved. A site plan is required to be approved as part of the rezoning.  

The proposed rezoning will have a public information meeting on Dec. 13 at the village’s planning, zoning and design board meeting.