Despite two Punta Gorda City Council members citing a lack of commercial development being planned in the area of Jones Loop Road, Council adopted final plat plans for the Seagrass and Sea Cove residential developments by a 3-2 vote June 6.
Mayor Lynne Matthews and council member Debi Lux voted against the resolution.
Previously, the city’s Urban Design department and the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the developments slated to bring 368 new homes to the area. The preliminary plat plan was approved by Council, Planning Director Lisa Hannon said.
Lux pointed out that there is a provision where the city could grant more than 100 more units for Seagrass, based on the development’s transfer of density units.
Currently, the developer for Seagrass plans to build 224 single-family homes on 87.1 acres bordered by Glasgow and Indian Springs Cemetery roads.
Sea Cove plans call for 144 single-family residential lots on the development’s 23.53 acres with access roads off Taylor and Jones Loop roads.
The developer for both projects is Kolter Land Partners LLC, represented by Paul Martin, vice president of land development, and the engineer is Todd Rebol of Banks Engineering.
The homes are being built by D.R. Horton.
Todd Rebol
Lux calculated 665 total homes in the area of Jones Loop Road after Seagrass and Sea Cove are finished.
The Parkside apartment complex, 26120 Jones Loop Road near U.S. 41, already has built 297 units.
Hannon said if the Seagrass developer wants to bring more density units to the site, “we have the resolutions that show they have certificated density that has been transferred through the Charlotte County transfer of density.”
“Who authorized and said it’s OK to add more transfer development?” Lux asked, and Matthews said it was approved when the preliminary site plan was approved.
Matthews said while the developments will install and maintain their own roads, the city will be responsible for other services, including police, fire, sanitation, water and sewer, requiring additional staffing for the city.
City Manager Greg Murray explained the city already has requested additional personnel based on the increase in the tax base that the developments propose.
Rebol addressed City Council and said both developments are currently under construction and spoke to the possibility of more commercial development coming to the area.
“I want to let Mayor Matthews know I’m currently talking to two commercial developers that are looking at both sides of the north and south sides of Jones Loop, specifically citing the amount of commercial activity in the area,” Rebol said.
“I do think you will be seeing your commercial development happening,” he added. “You can’t rush developers—it either works financially or it doesn’t.”
He said the number of rooftops will be the fulcrum that draws commercial development to the area.
