41-acre Golden Gate Estates shopping center gets initial approval

Posted by: Naples Daily News
Written by: Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Date: July 21, 2011


GOLDEN GATE ESTATES — Collier County’s planning commission on Thursday paved the way for developers to build a 41-acre shopping center in Golden Gate Estates. Planning commissioners gave the project the approvals – for a commercial planned unit development, or PUD, and an amendment to the Golden Gate Area Master Plan – needed before it could go to Collier County commissioners for final approval.

Planning commissioners said they were hesitant about the project, but were supporting it because it won overwhelming support among voters in a November straw poll.

“They said they wanted it,” said Planning Commissioner Bob Murray. “…The people have voted.” The project is planned for the northwest corner of Golden Gate and Wilson boulevards. While the project could span up to 190,000 square feet, planning commissioners approved a PUD that does not allow developers to exceed 170,000 square feet.

A grocery store will anchor the center, and the developer plans to target restaurants, banks and other service businesses. There are no liquor stores, bars or housing in the works; and Rich Yovanovich, the Naples attorney who represents the developer, said there won’t be high-traffic anchors like a Walmart or Lowe’s.

“We’re a hybrid between a community center and a neighborhood center,” Yovanovich said. “We think it’s a good project, (and) the voters think it’s a good project.”

The center has been on the drawing board for years, but faced opposition from change-resistant residents who don’t think it belonged in their rural neighborhood.

Mark Teaters, a past president of the Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association, was among the residents who spoke out against the project Thursday. Teaters said the project didn’t support the master plan and would alter the rural feel of Golden Gate Estates.

“This is a big deal,” he said. “This is a game changer for Golden Gate Estates. This is something that … can possibly change the rural environment.” Lori Burns agreed. Burns said she bought her home on Third Street Northwest as a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Florida’s east coast.

The shopping center, she said, could put a damper on that.

“It is unprecedented in a rural area,” she said.

But proponents for the project said times have changed, and a grocery store and shopping center are desperately needed in this part of the community.

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