During the latest law-making session, Florida’s legislators authorized a means for landowners to seek extensions for certain state-regulated development permits, citing the struggling real estate market and likelihood that many permits may expire before market conditions improve. The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has taken note, and has a similar authorization for four-year local
Southwest Florida Officials Provide Insight on Development Incentives and Local Pro-Growth Policies
The Real Estate Investment Society and Urban Land Institute conducted a workshop, “Challenges and Strategies for Property Development Today,” last Thursday morning in Fort Myers. Mary Gibbs, Lee County‘s Director of Community Development, got right to the point:
All properties today are challenging. Nothing’s easy anymore,” noting that property location, infrastructure availability, and objections from surrounding residents seem to be the most common constraints.
Local governments are reacting to these economic and site-specific development difficulties by implementing changes and adopting more business friendly approaches to complex development issues that may delay or kill potential new projects.
Bonita Springs City Manager Carl Schwing joined Ms. Gibbs in a panel discussion regarding tactics and strategies local governments can utilize to help facilitate private development in a difficult economy. Both indicated that engaging in discussions with local government development staff
Workshop Promises to Provide Insight and Guidance to Navigating Today’s Real Estate Market
Everyone we speak with seems to be in the same boat with today’s real estate market – things may be giving some small indications of movement, but nothing seems to move as quickly or as easily as it used to. Many properties are uniquely challenged with a host of issues that need to be worked