Final Presentation on Eden Oak Extended to December

provided to Santiva Chronicle

The Lee County Hearing Examiner granted an extension to move the final arguments from the Eden Oak applicant and staff from June 24 to Dec. 11, 2020. The extension was granted in response to another request for a continuance filed by the applicant on May 29. The basis for the request was possible extended COVID-19 related travel restrictions that would impact the property owner.

“We will continue to advocate for the preservation of this valuable mangrove habitat and we thank the many supporters, residents, and advocates that have participated with us on this long Eden Oak journey,” said Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation CEO Ryan Orgera.

The proposed Eden Oak development is on Shell Point Boulevard at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee near the Sanibel Causeway. The applicant’s proposal is to dredge and fill 36 acres of mangrove wetlands to build 55 residential homesites with docks, including the excavation of a new canal and the creation of a boat basin with additional docks.

SCCF says the plan will put more people in the coastal high hazard area, creates new sources of pollution from runoff, create boat traffic in sensitive habitat used by a number of threatened and endangered species, and add traffic to the evacuation and emergency access on Shell Point Boulevard.

The Eden Oak parcel nomination to the Conservation 2020 land acquisition program is still active.